Live Review: CHVRCHES, City Calm Down

Fresh from supporting Alt-J touring around the country last week, City Calm Down hop on board the Chvrches tour bus this week for three dates. This year there has been a whole lot of buzz surrounding this indie-dance four-piece from Melbourne. They get the evening off to an energetic start with their revisionist approach to '80s electro pop. At times frontman Jack Bourke seems to be channelling Ian Curtis and, while the band reference a broad range of European bands, their sound, quite originally, feels a little more Summer Bay than Madchester. It starts to feel like Cut Copy have spawned a legion of imitators but, to their credit, these lads put some solid songwriting skills on the table. A rough mix effortlessly brings together guitars and synths to conjure light, breezy, feel-good vibes that provide irresistible dancefloor kicks.

While waiting for Chvrches, a couple of ladies in the crowd exchange notes on travelling in Europe and exciting new music they have discovered. “Yeah, I've been listening to this band from the '80s, I think they are called Depeche Mode. You would love them. They are kind of like Pet Shop Boys but better looking and the music's better too”.

It seems to be all about the '80s tonight, with Prince's Lets Go Crazy introducing Chvrches. The crowd is clearly excited for the trio from Glasgow who seem to have had extraordinary success off the back of just three singles. It's not long before the monstrous beats of Lies kicks in and deep bass sees the Corner vibrating. Assuming a rather workman-like stance, Iain Cook and Martin Doherty produce a throbbing electro-pop noise from behind their synths. It's a sound that has the crowds raising their hands in the air. Lauren Mayberry coolly drops her vocals in to brilliant effect under harsh strobes and flashing coloured lights. Showcasing material from their soon-to-be-released album – and slipping in hits like Gun, Recover and The Mother We Share – the trio send the crowd into a frenzy. In between songs, Mayberry reveals that she is extremely thrilled that her band has made it all the way to Australia. She is also super excited to reveal that they will be back to play next year's edition of Laneway Festival.

The ecstatic crowd demand an encore so Chvrches conclude the evening with a cover of Prince's I Would Die For You. Perhaps one of the best and most promising electro-pop bands to emerge from the UK of late, Chvrches make for essential listening.