Live Review: Chrome Sparks, Rat & Co

Brooding outfit Rat & Co take the supporting reins tonight before a packed but inattentive audience. These vaunted members of the local Melbourne scene adopt a distinctive genre approach, a marriage of shoegaze and ‘90s hip hop beats. They convey a kind of modern jazz aesthetic through their mixture of choral harmonies, spaced-out guitars and heart-pounding drum patterns.

The trio treat us to a moreish dose of ribcage-rattling synths and dreamy, feverous rhythms, funnelled into bubbling soundscapes.

Haunting single Vocal Insanity is a stand-out thanks to the fusion of Joshua Delaney’s rapturous singing and mesmeric sampling. However vocals are in no way the focal point of their set. The three present members play in a cohesive but isolated fashion, absorbed in their own, personal music-making while frequently swapping guitar and keys. Though no one hogs the limelight, Nick Park’s powerful, intricate percussion can’t help but pop – a mixture of live kit and drum pads. Concluding a journey of dark nervousness, Rat & Co’s moody, weaving stylings proves impressively atmospheric stuff. 

The brainchild of US artist Jeremy Malvin, tonight Chrome Sparks performs with friends-cum-bandmates Bill Delelles and Aaron Steele. In Malvin’s second ever Australian show, together they lay nuanced electronica onto a captivated crowd. The trio treat us to a moreish dose of ribcage-rattling synths and dreamy, feverous rhythms, funnelled into bubbling soundscapes.

Malvin is a mildly awkward conversationalist, only engaging us a couple of times, including a token comment on Melbourne versus Sydney (Melbourne wins, apparently). But what he lacks in frills he makes up for in genuine showmanship. An ecstatic machine on keys and decks alike, he’s complemented perfectly by his frenetic fellow bandmates. At one point, three identical green spotlights shine upon each performer, highlighting their excellent, simultaneous percussion on drum kits and xylophonic synth-pads; mallets and sticks thwacking away from all angles.

Showcasing the best of their stunning new EP, Goddess opener The Meaning Of Love electrifies with its deep fluid tones and sudden, edgy shifts. Exploratory follow-up Star Step is in a league of its own, however, really stepping up the volume, energy, and space-trekking vibes. But it's only popular jam and total hip hop trip, Marijuana, which finally pushes the crowd into second gear.

Defying the typical electronic convention of avoiding encores, the boys return after the finished show to garnish it with some grinding, trap beats. It’s tough not to feel envious of Splendour attendees tonight. Celestial, danceable and gripping; Chrome Sparks give us a taste of an ideal festival set.