Live Review: Client Liaison, Total Giovanni

Wandering down Russell Street, we spy an off white limousine with Australia flag on the bonnet. Client Liaison most probably arrived in this ride and punters pose next to it to take potential new profile pics.

Total Giovanni are all about erotic movement (mainly from Spike Punch), Flock Of Seagulls inspiration, funky riffs and sequinned Egyptian headdresses. Vincent D (aka Vachel Spirason)'s vocals are to die for and all members of Total Giovanni bring the party even before the brass opens up, later referred to as "twisted trumpet". Total Giovanni provide music to hook up to and the band is actually so good now they could probably rein the gimmicks in a notch. Beatmaker Shattered Guru is a delight to watch, swaying behind the decks with a massive grin on his dial. What Total Giovanni really wanna be is Talking Heads, but we'll definitely take them in David Byrne's band's absence.

Punters have gone to a great deal of effort with their outfits and there is mucho man glitter in the house. In between sets, three ladies rush past us wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the claim: "Tom Tilley Sex God 10/10 Would Bang".

Client Liaison bring all the bells and whistles. "It's a photogenic show," marvels our plus one. Band leader Monte Morgan's black suit with multi-coloured, vibrant, all-over print is everything - are those orange crabs with pincers aloft? Compliments to Client Liaison's tailor, since band members wear similar printed suits in various colour palettes that Split Enz would've rocked in their heyday. The water coolers scattered around the stage have us in stitches. Black leotarded dancers with matching over-the-knee socks and killer heels sashay and grind and, before too long, Morgan is shirtless, showing off his tasselled statement necklace and matching earrings in jade hue (which also match his socks - attention to detail!). Morgan then picks up the didge for a spell.

During Client Liaison's cover of Stardust's Music Sounds Better With You, dancers hold oversized cans of Foster's aloft as visuals feature rotating Foster's cans and actual Foster's tinnies are lobbed into the crowd. The song after which this tour is named, A Foreign Affair, is greeted by cheers then a coupla flame throwers shoot out. Sadly Tina Arena doesn't materialise to sing her parts in this song, but maybe she will for tomorrow night's sold-out show at this same venue? Tina Turner's What's Love Got To Do With It morphs into one of Client Liaison's songs, which are all pretty similar it has to be said. A sheet of sparks rains spectacularly down from the rafters.

Client Liaison put absolutely everything into their visuals as well: galloping, snarling kittens; digital aquariums; and many moon references. Morgan announces, "This party ain't over yet!" and we couldn't agree more. Some killer Prince riffs are borrowed, ever so reverently. We still hope Arena is in the house, but unfortunately the dream is over once the house lights come up. Sorrento Moon (I Remember) plays over the venue sound system and it's a mass singalong while we file out of the theatre: "It was ooooooh sooooooo tender!" And, yep, we all "wanna ride in [their] off-white limousine", except that it's now vanished. Our favourite kitsch party lords Client Liaison have left the building, but they've also permanently entered our hearts.