Live Review: Client Liaison

Perfectly capturing turn-of-the-‘80s executive lounge swagger, last night Client Liaison almost tore down the Spiegeltent at their Sydney Festival show.

“Here to dignify your mood,” the Melbourne duo unleashed a wild set, kicking off with fan favourite Free Of Fear. Exploding onto the stage amid rainbow lights and dry ice, Monte Morgan and Harvey Miller strutted their stuff with an air of experienced showmanship.

The synth was out of this world, and that coupled with catchy hooks, stage theatrics and total commitment to their aesthetic (dressing, living and breathing the ‘80s) made for a completely immersive and fulfilling experience.

They played a couple of covers among their other more well known tracks, including their Like A Version of Christine Anu’s Party spliced with Regurgitator’s ! (Song Formerly Known As), which had the already dancing crowd get down like it was 1989. They also did a great cover of Kimbra’s 90s Music.

Though disorienting at first, the hundreds of mirrors and giant disco balls made it feel like you were living in an ‘80s video clip. Utilising actual smoke and mirrors, the Spiegeltent was the perfect venue for this weird clash of the 1800s, ‘80s and now: a kind of bizarre time-travelling disco.

Some might say that Client Liaison are a one-trick pony, but they appeal directly to people’s insatiable nostalgia. The audience were there for an ultimate dance party circa 1987 – and they were not disappointed. Everyone let loose and pulled shapes to That’s Desire, and Queen between bouts of stage banter. Closing with End Of The Earth – an amazing mash-up of samples, righteous sax, mic-juggling and Australiana – Client Liaison brought it home with some typically glorious/terrible dance moves. Like the unruly love child of synth-pop and ‘90s house music at a school talent contest, these guys absolutely killed it.