Live Review: Alpine, City Calm Down, Ali Barter

Daydream material by singer-songwriter Ali Barter provides a sweet opening. The Melburnian babe leads an orchestra of organic sounds naturally synchronising with synths. Her elegant hymns are followed by masculine melodies of City Calm Down. The four young men present a repertoire of electronic epicness. Tricks on a drum machine and raw vocals bring communal light head nodding.

Melburnians in large numbers come to admire the well adored Alpine. The appearance of lead singers Phoebe Baker and Lou James is happily received by the audience. Think two times Lykke Li with Madonna-minded moves to imagine the energy of these ladies. Ex-punk bandit, bass-player Ryan Lamb adopts the quirky dances tremendously well. The other half of the six-piece prefer a more incognito position. Mellifluous “Ooh”s and “Aah”s are accompanied by staccato percussion, keys and strings. A Is For Alpine, their latest album, is widely exposed. Older material such as Villages and Heartlove pass by as well.

The pretty Baker raises her whiskey glass and James adds a sweet shout out: “You are a lovely home crowd and this is very special”. The last song, Gasoline, is dedicated to their fans – “I wish it wasn't just the night time!”. The crowd responds with a mass rise of the neon sticks provided by tonight sponsor. Blessed be America with the arrival of this Australian delegation of dream-popstars!