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Live Review: Alice Ivy, Nasty Mars & The Martians, Francois, Sophie Grophy

26 February 2018 | 3:25 pm | Nick Gray

"Ivy teases master volumes, cutting quick fadeouts and then dropping the whole track back in and doesn't stop jumping and dancing for the whole set's duration."

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The start of MC Sophie Grophy's set doesn't go smoothly. Playing the wrong first song and then having it skip and stutter for a good 30 seconds is disheartening, Grophy awkwardly apologising while sequencing the right beat up. Her 2017 single Fa$t Life is all fun and buttery, though, and thankfully what does stand out post-technical hiccups is her sure-fire flow and silky sing-rap transitions. Crystal clear, spartan production plus an affable and charmingly awkward disposition eventually pull her through.

Francois hits the stage a stack harder for his intro and he ably slips through his first track, rapping the chorus a cappella, which he seemed to like doing. The rapper gives a shout-out to his mum, who's positioned front and centre. There's some cute back-and-forth between Francois and the girls dancing up front who are pretty keen to chat with his mum about her son's budding career, we're sure. Newest single ShowMeLuv from his upcoming EP (which is probably Big Sean-nodding judging by the title) Blue Sky Paradise is a celebratory highlight.

Operating in polar opposite from the hard-hitting, heated two preceding sets, the languorous Nasty Mars appears side stage, alone, and malts his way through a low-key, pretty opener. After introducing his band The Martians, they navigate through their hazy Frank Ocean cover Songs For Women, which is retrofitted with silky keys and spattering drums. The crowd takes a while to warm to their introspective, smokey and sultry vibe, but it's a nice change of pace. They would actually really suit an in-house band on late night TV slot or, god forbid, even The Eric Andre Show.

Local multi-talent and wonderful chatty human Alice Ivy sure knows how to pick supports that showcase her many influences. Her yellow-jumpsuit clad guitarist starts, but we can't hear his playing, which is an ongoing issue with all of the stringed instruments tonight. Chasing Stars off her debut LP I'm Dreaming is the third track in, with guest vocalist Bertie Blackman stoically weaving her way through the peaks, troughs and codas of her parts. Ivy teases master volumes, cutting quick fadeouts and then dropping the whole track back in and doesn't stop jumping and dancing for the whole set's duration. What seems like an intermission mid-set with a low-key musical loop reveals itself to be for the delivery of a pint-sized spongy birthday cake for her guitarist, which is unceremoniously squashed on his own face. Confetti fans blow through last song and veritable banger Get Me A Drink, with local MC Charlie Threads holding his verses down.

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After this generous roster of artists, there's no time left for an encore. But The Avalanches would most certainly be proud.