Live Review: Alt-J, Mansionair, Ásgeir

Asgeir

Mansionair play as we enter the stadium and there’s a Nordic feel to what they do.

Featuring a keys player who’s modelling the Pioneer Chic look tonight, Ásgeir and co hit the stage with little ado. A rowdy punter in GA yells out, “Fuck yeah!” They’re not very interesting to watch, but they’ll make you peak during crescendos. This Icelandic artist really does have a wonderful voice, which is aptly demonstrated during standout track King And Cross; sometimes it takes a while to determine whether he’s singing in English or his native tongue, but his tone is exquisite.

A curtain falls to reveal four strips of video screen and the audience cheers. Alt-J is one of those bands that you either love or hate and it’s all the lovers who assemble tonight. They adopt a straight line formation with Alt-J largely backlit throughout their performance. It’s awesome watching drummer Thom Green in profile and his legs work almost as hard as his arms. He’s as precise as a metronome despite trademark intricate, syncopated patterns. At times, Joe Newman’s vocals call to mind their Icelandic support act and castanets are used to great effect in one track. 

“Let’s see if you can sing this song louder than Sydney?” Turn it up, mate, that’s so unoriginal! Matilda is obviously a hit with their Melburnian fanbase. Someone in front of us in the stands does the ‘we’re not worthy’ bowing gesture popularised via Wayne’s World. A couple of times throughout the evening, a single balloon is volleyed around in the GA section below and Alt-J supply a swoon-worthy soundtrack, or contemplation music if you will. After multitudinous “thank you”s, and extremely polite “Have a good night”s, Alt-J leave the stage. But we haven’t yet heard Breezeblocks so they’ll be back for sure.

They return to the stage (shocker!). Then Breezeblocks satisfies, washing over us as various fans lap up the opportunity to belt out “da-da-da-da!” with the insistent keys rhythm during verses. And the chorus lyrics read audience minds: “Please don’t go/Please don’t go/I love you so/I love you so-o.” From Ding Dong Lounge to an almost full Rod Laver Arena in two albums is nae bad at all.