Live Review: Liars, HTRK DJs

As we manoeuvre our way towards the front, HTRK DJs play tunes that transport us back to (the good) Docklands raves and make us wish we had access to a handful of pingers. By the end of their set there's much bopping and grinning. HTRK DJs set the dark, arty scene in spectacular fashion. 

A drummer, Laurence Pike, and guitarist/keyboardist, Cameron Deyell, arrive on stage. Then enters 'The Bride Of The Hour' Angus Andrew, veil and all, resplendent in the costume he sports on the cover of latest Liars album, TWTWF (Titles With The Word Fountain). Pinstripes of silver sequins have been added to his white singlet and this look is further accessorised with a white studded belt. Black trainers with orange trim complete this eye-catching ensemble. Standing behind his sampler, from which squawking bird sounds fly, Andrew is a towering presence and we're immediately in awe of these musicians who effortlessly negotiate constantly fluctuating time signatures to create Liars' trademark ghoulish, demented soundscapes.

A front-row punter regularly lifts up Andrew's white tulle skirt to reveal his grey jocks. The guitarist/keyboardist can't wipe the smile from his dial and is clearly digging the experience of bringing these compositions to life. The musicianship on display here is astonishing. Pike shifts tempos on the reg, but does so as if directed by an invisible force that's hijacked his limbs. The aforementioned front-row fan actually leans forward and kisses Andrew's bare knee. When Mess On A Mission (from Liars' extraordinary Mess set) shimmies into the mix, we enter the rave cave full-throttle and it's limbs akimbo. The scene looks like something out of Human Traffic as we all shout along ("Facts are facts and fiction's fiction!") to this irresistibly squelchy banger complete with castanet flourishes. 

Performing is obviously a cathartic experience for Andrew, who's in a trance. When a punter grabs Andrew's hand, his eyes widen as if he suddenly snapped back to reality from wherever the hell he went. Is it the same overzealous fan who kissed Andrew's knee earlier that jumps onto the stage and kisses him on the cheek? He looks alarmed and as the trio leave the stage we worry this intrusive behaviour may deprive us of an encore. 

Phew! They all return to the stage and it's pogo time once again for Broken Witch. Andrew does love flouncing his skirt around like a flamenco dancer. "I, I am the boy/She, she is the girl/He, he is the bear!" Andrew shouts throughout this hypnotic, robotic number. During this evening's performance, Andrew sporadically triggers an atmosphere-shattering sample that's probably capable of summoning bad-trip flashbacks. 

Not many could physically manage to reach up and punch a part of The Curtin's ceiling, but Andrew does - emphatically, to punctuate the beat - and we momentarily fear he'll literally bring the house down. The Liars live experience is so much more than just a gig, it's a spectacle and audience members are left buzzing. 

Post-gig, there's much discussion as to whether, were the kiss-stealing stage invader a dude, it would've been deemed inappropriate behaviour. But, actually, we reckon this is irrelevant since it's a question of consent, which Andrew didn't give. Artists ain't your personal property, people.