Live Review: Alt-J, Ásgeir

Striking the delicate balance between subculture appeal and mainstream popularity is an act many strive for but few achieve. Alt-J proved they’re among the lucky few at the weekend after playing the final show of their Australian tour, just a few seats shy of packing out the 4500 capacity HBF Stadium. 

Setting the tone for the evening was Icelandic singer-songwriter Ásgeir. Hailing from the small island nation responsible for bringing massive acts like Björk and Sigur Rós to the international arena, Ásgeir was no doubt aware of the big shoes he had to fill; and he managed admirably. His reverb-laden, wide-open sounds layered with harmonies and an impressive falsetto provided the perfect appetiser for what Alt J would soon bring. 

Soon after, amidst smoke and eerie lighting, four familiar figures dressed in black took their places at the front of the stage. While a number of Alt-J songs could have kicked off the set, only the minimal, pulsating synth of Hunger Of The Pine could truly facilitate such a dramatic entrance. Joe Newman’s haunting vocals, the drifting smoke and choreographed lights intertwined to build the anticipation in the room, right before dropping that Miley Cyrus sample and quirky percussion. With a back catalogue as impressive as Alt-J’s, most songs were met with equal enthusiasm. Particularly impressive performances however came with Matilda – introduced via call and response – and Something Good, from An Awesome Wave, as well as This Is All Yours’ Left Hand Free. The stunning a cappella performance of Ripe & Ruin by Newman and Gus Unger-Hamilton rendered the crowd completely silent. The unique combination of vocal timbres demonstrated the way voices could meld into one, not only a testament to the vocalists themselves, but the people behind the mixing desk. Also deserving mention were the lighting designers whose work was eerie, unearthly but not overpowering or distracting. A meander offstage resulted in a predictable encore call, which seemed to be more for tradition’s sake than anything else – but necessary in order to round out a captivating, powerful performance with crowd favourite, Breezeblocks.

Be it live or on record, the Alt-J experience is a layered one. Complex lyrics packed with literary and cultural references combined with quirky instrumentation and complex harmonies contribute to the band’s mainstream success. That said, the dreaded “M” word shouldn’t tarnish a deserving band’s reputation. Rather, it’s refreshing to see genuine musical ability garnering warranted widespread popularity.