Live Review: Chet Faker - Alhambra Lounge

The weather has taken a turn for the worse on the start of an action packed weekend of live music. Within the confines of the Alhambra Lounge no-one seems to be the wiser, although the crowd is somewhat scarce for Motion.Picture.Actress's opening set. The one-man sound collage likened to the electronic glitch-pop of Baths and Four Tet goes largely underappreciated with a painfully low level mix, making it sound like a poor DJ set. This gradually worsens with audience members shouting out requests and talking to him whilst he's playing. However, for those who really make the effort to hear it, it's an impressive set full of intricate changes, noise and samples.

For those ducking out vying for a dry place to have a cigarette, when re-entering the venue the atmosphere has dramatically changed with the room just being shy of full for Outerwaves. Dominic Stephens (primarily of Oh Ye Denver Birds fame) explores a more elaborate and experimental set tonight as samples and delay pedals provide the backbone to the Outerwaves vehicle. Stephens' reliance on samples does run thin towards the end considering his history, but ultimately the songs are well layered and work nicely in the live environment with a more beefed-up sound. 

It is without a doubt an eclectic, packed out crowd when Chet Faker takes to the stage. The four-piece band files in without mastermind Nick Murphy and open with the opera-infused instrumental, Cigarettes And Chocolate. Straight off the bat the track is unfortunately littered with sound issues and when Murphy takes to the stage it has spiraled out of control to the point where the set is halted whilst another lengthy soundcheck is conducted. With things marginally improved the group launch into I'm Into You. Unfortunately little has changed sound-wise and in addition, due to the massive throng viewing the band is impossible beyond the second row. If you concentrate the band are quite talented as they explore the ever expanding world of alternative electronic jazz-based hip hop, with tracks like Solo Sunrise and Terms And Conditions from tonight's centerpiece Thinking In Textures EP clearly showing a massive amount of detail. Following on from Murphy taking to the piano solo, the band returns and the set ends with the catchy obligatory cover of Backstreet's No Diggity.

Jay-Z and whoever sings Coco Jumbo take over the PA, courtesy of an enthusiastic shirtless DJ. Musically there is nothing wrong with tonight's bill – the bands on show performed well but were overshadowed by some unfortunate sound issues. Without a doubt Chet Faker will not have to suffer the same fate next time he is in town as his EP spirals out of control into the realms of popular culture.