Live Review: The Naked & Famous, Vancouver Sleep Clinic

Blue light filled the stage as Vancouver Sleep Clinic arrived, looking demure and reverent. Delicate keyboard began their set as searing guitar work from the mastermind behind the project, Tim Bettinson, shone through his echoing vocal work. The heavy distortion of both Bettinson's voice and the instruments throughout the set was reminiscent of a mix between James Blake and James Vincent McMorrow. The set conveyed anguish and yearning in the dreamiest of ways. Pounding synth and percussion combined with the gentle tone of the keys and acoustic guitar made for a quaint set from Vancouver Sleep Clinic that tugged at the heartstrings.
The Naked & Famous treated the revelers to dark synth and crunchy percussion to begin their set with A Stillness. One half of the lead vocalists and tambourine enthusiast, Alisa Xayalith sang sweetly into the microphone as strobe lights pulsated like tiny fireworks. Guitar from other half, Thom Powers shredded through this track, which proved to be quite an explosive opener.
Hearts Like Ours followed accompanied by stoic percussion, powerful bass and pretty synth work. Guitar that screamed of the hair-metal days peppered the song while the vocals were the indie lovers' dream.
Their single, I Kill Giants, from their latest album, In Rolling Waves, added a skittish and powerful tone to their set. What began timidly with the bass and synth merely created a backbone for the explosive symphony of instruments that would prove to be climactic and welcomed by the throng. Punching In A Dream began with delicious synth and writhing guitar licks that the band are so well known for. Rainbow strobe lights careened across the stage, creating a state of frenzied joy.
Before bidding the crowd a sweet goodbye, The Naked & Famous launched into Young Blood, the track to complete their colourful yet gritty set. Xayalith's vocals were hypnotising as the bass pounded and synth screamed, encouraging the punters to revel in the meaning of what it is to be young, wild, and free.