Live Review: Chvrches, Mansionair

The acts of tonight's concert have all come to the bittersweet end of a very big week in music. At a performance full of great voices, particular attention should be given to Jack Froggatt from Mansionair. His Jeff Buckley-esque high tenor combined with the digital beats of the band definitely went over well with an audience who were slowly settling in for the main act.     

Appearing before a well-packed venue about 40 minutes late, lead singer Lauren Mayberry and the rest of Chvrches apologise profusely for their tardiness. "We thank you all for being so patient, but to make it up to you, I'll shut up so we can fit in way more songs," says Mayberry, dressed in a black tutu and speaking with a classic Scottish accent. From the skeletal, minimalistic beats of their early days to the extravagant pop explosions of their newer work, all shades of Chvrches are replicated terrifically with both clarity and oomph within the expanse of the Margaret Court Arena.

With the release of their latest album, the melodramatically titled Love Is Dead, Chvrches seem to have alienated half their initial alternative audience while also bringing in a horde of brand new fans. It's a classic success story. But despite what many insufferable purists may think, we still consider their latest tunes to be some very finely crafted pieces of accessible, if a bit unadventurous, pop music.

There's something for everyone tonight with the group playing old favourites The Mother We Share and Gun alongside the big new hits like Miracle and Graffiti, a song which makes this reviewer feel weirdly teary for unknown but surely embarrassing reasons. Thank goodness the arena lights aren't on.

Halfway through their set, bassist and keyboardist Martin Doherty briefly took the vocal reigns for two slightly average tracks. Up until that point, one punter in the seated stands of the venue had been dancing his heart out all on his own. When Doherty took to the stage, this free spirit sat down for a rest, only to return when Mayberry regained the mic. Sorry Doherty, but old mate has spoken. If anything, tonight's show solidifies the fact that Mayberry is a bona fide star of the genre. Her sweet, soprano voice sounds just as powerful as the records despite the fact that she and the band have just reached the end of their Australian odyssey.

The feeling of walking out from a great gig at a massive venue always leaves you wanting to make some big statements on a band, an artist, or even life, man. And this may just be the "good vibes" talking, but if this decade had to have a definitive synth-pop act, it might just be Chvrches.