Live Review: Four Tet

Kieran Hebden is an accomplished presence that needs very little introduction. Also known as Four Tet, Hebden stepped onto the stage to greet an audience that immediately burst into applause at the first sight of the English experimental electronic/folktronica musician.

With a dazzling light show of colour-changing neon beads hanging behind him on stage, Hebden gradually built up his set. About 20 minutes in, one man sitting a few rows from stage stood up, and eventually the entire room was on their feet dancing. This surprisingly lasted for the majority of his performance. Hebden played a bit of jungle, tribal electronic music, laced with elements of jazz and often an underlying but noticeable techno beat. Hebden really is in a world and genre of his own, and his set was a remarkable treat for the senses.

It was incredibly rare to see such a variety of people in the crowd, especially in the above grandstands where people stood on their feet, cheering and applauding Hebden's music in between tracks. Everyone in the audience could feel the warmth and love this man's music had generated, and it felt like tonight we were being spoilt. Hebden played the elegant, delicate Ba Teaches Yoga. About halfway through he played the Bollywood-inspired, uplifting Morning Side, which sounded mind-blowing live. The Sydney Opera House was the perfect venue for his music to shine, and the spotlight, lasers and stage lights shining on him worked flawlessly. His performance felt almost like dance music education. It managed not only to tease, but also wholeheartedly engage all of the senses.