Live Review: Cloud Control

Tonight Cloud Control mark their tenth acoustic show, one of more than 35 in their national tour of free shows presented by Corona Extra. Usually four members strong, the Blue Mountains band is stripped back to three for this occasion, with frontman Alistair Wright, and brother and sister members Heidi Lenffer (keys/vocals) and Ulrich Lenffer (drums/percussion) appearing before the crowd.

In what becomes a continuing trend, the band play in a pattern of one song from their debut album Bliss Release, followed by one from their 2013 release, Dream Cave. It's a pattern met with no complaints as the band launch straight into Meditation Song #2 (Why, Oh Why?) and follow swiftly with Dream Cave's lead single Dojo Rising. Throughout this song, Heidi Lenffer taps her glass casually to the rhythm, indulging in the minimal resources and casual nature of the acoustic show. The video for Dojo Rising also gathered considerable attention. Shot entirely in Bolivia last year, it was noted for its simultaneously dark and captivating content. But coulrophobics be warned: the clip features some real creepy-ass clowns.

As planned, another track from their first album follows. It is Just For Now, which many of the crowd appear to be familiar with, singing along gently with the band. Before playing a new song, Wright invites all those with birthdays to speak up and, unsurprisingly, dedicates the track of the same title to them. There seems to be an astonishing amount of punters born today assembled inside The Prince this evening, but Cloud Control play Happy Birthday enthusiastically nonetheless. Gold Canary, arguably their best-known track from Bliss Release, follows. Again, the band utilise this rare show setting to sample alternate and exaggerated harmonies, with particular credit to the Lenffer siblings here. Scar's opening bars of pacey piano follow, but it is the next old track that garners the most applause. Played back in 2010 for triple j's favoured Like a Version segment, a cover of Kid Cudi's Pursuit Of Happiness is certainly the best-received track of the night, with the crowd levelling the band in volume as they sing. There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight is trailed by Promises to bring the show to a close.

Overall, Cloud Control's acoustic show is a concise and tight little set that reaffirms the manifold musical talents embedded in the group. Their increasing onstage confidence and self-assurance is also a pleasure to watch.