Live Review: Solange, Movement, Juggernaut DJs

Sydney trio Movement set the mood at The Prince with their down-tempo, minimal electro-soul/R&B. The combination of Jesse James Ward's pulsating bass, Sean Walker's slick beats and Lewis Wade's velvety vocals loosens our limbs. To everyone's delight, the band even slip in a bit of Baby Bash's Suga Suga. Wade's spectacular melisma and trills impress, as do his hand flourishes. With each passing song our applause and whoops become louder, and the band are clearly chuffed and humbled. Wade's grin barely leaves his face the entire set.

The 45-minute break between acts is annoying, but Juggernaut DJs step up to help the time pass painlessly and keep the momentum (and our feet) moving with a choice selection of tunes, including Amerie's 1 Thing (always a banger) and Busta Rhymes' newie Thank You.

Finally, Solange's band – a guitarist, keys player, bassist, drummer and two backing vocalists – assemble onstage, before the lady herself emerges all smiles, and they launch into Don't Let Me Down from Solange's 2012 EP True. From there it's display after display of tight and impassioned musicianship and dancing, as they work through the other tunes from the EP as well as older picks like TONY (from 2008 sophomore album Sol-Angel And The Hadley St Dreams, and, apparently for the first time live, B-side Sleep In The Park and Solange's contribution to the Saint Heron compilation she put together, the relatively restrained Cash In. Despite the alt.R&B sound of True being a notable departure from her earlier jazzy-soul-pop numbers, it all gels nicely in a live setting. The punters in the packed bandroom constantly jostle, bob and raise their hands; at a glance, not a single person is standing still.

The one downfall of the night is an unbalanced mix in the first part of the set, as the drums and bass drown out Solange's vocals. Luckily, this problem seems to be addressed midway through and we get the full effect of crowd favourites Lovers In The Parking Lot, and, of course, Losing You. Vocally, Solange saves the best for last, showing off those oh-so-high notes in encore offerings Cosmic Journey, her cover of Dirty Projectors' Stillness Is The Move (mixed with the Bumpy's Lament sample in Dr Dre's Xxplosive – yes, it's glorious) and the effervescent closer Sandcastle Disco.

It's so warming and refreshing to see musicians and singers so obviously in their element, enjoying putting on a show effortlessly while appearing comfortable at the same time. You can imagine Solange writhing, stomping and tossing her head back in a similar fashion in the company of her friends (special mention for the move where she grabs her hair and twirls it like a lasso), and indeed even the joyful choreographed moves with her guitarists look like they're spontaneous, just happening in the moment. Solange receives our rabid cheering and clapping, graciously, telling us of her initial reluctance to get back on the road yet having that doubt dissipate upon arrival here, saying we must have some “secret to happiness”. Well, witnessing such fun, uplifting and gratifying shows such as this certainly contributes to our happiness.