Live Review: Bec Sandridge, Maples, Aphrodite

24 August 2015 | 12:55 pm | Sara Tamim

"As she boogied around to her energetic and mesmerising set she guaranteed there would never be a dull moment."

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The first support act, Aphrodite brought their grooving slow jazz, sliding and saucy vocals to the foreground as they warmed the stage up; the melody a catchy collection of lyrical chants with a mixture of upbeat and downbeat vibes; the repetitive lyrics, luminous pulse and melismatic descend creating an instantly likeable set. At times their music was fast and syncopated, piano- and bass-heavy, and at other times vocals become softer and flurried, accompanied by the guitar, making for a slightly dynamic set.

When Maples entered the stage she brought her glowing fairy lights and glistering synth. Her clear, concise voice and her effortlessly perfect articulation delivered her eerie lyrics and ghostly presence. She lets her lips slip in banter as she says, "There's a ghost on stage," while the sound of her gear continued to disappear. Her music filled with whimsical vibes as it transported the audience into our own minds, a place of contemplation. Her voice was polished as she slipped easily from low brooding notes into pure head voice. As a type of one-woman band, Maples handled herself with major composure as she conquered two microphones, two synth/keyboards and backing vocal and intergalactic sounds from her electronic set-up. Maples transitioned smoothly into a cover of Amy Winehouse's Back To Black; although very similar to the original, the cover was angst-filled and vocally strong, ensuring the song was done justice.

Finally Bec Sandridge graced the stage with her snazzy shoes and catchy tunes, her aura filled with light blue, something magical emerging from the crowd. At first, it was pure admiration, but before long the venue was filled to the brim, the front of the stage clustered with dancing and loving. On entry, many audience members were given blue cookies with "Bec" stamped across them, setting the tone for what was to come. As the music began, Sandridge began to bop on stage, immersed in her own music. As she boogied around to her energetic and mesmerising set she guaranteed there would never be a dull moment. Her guitar effects and vocal patterns adapted glittering '80s vibes. Her band appeared polished and in sync, each member bringing their own glow to the forefront and adding electric energy to Sandridge's stellar vocal performance, the harmonies at certain points acting as the perfect hypnotic melody reinforcement, making each syllabic movement one to sing along to. Sandridge showcased her multifaceted talents, as she alternated between the electric guitar and keyboard; her vocals steady, strong and effortless as she ploughed through her tunes, both new and old. Her new single, In The Fog, In The Flame, is fierce and burning, its pop sensibility mixed with her unique quirkiness and tonal character, creating the perfect recipe for a hit-worthy tune.