Live Review: Dappled Cities

Tonight's show isn't sold out, but there's still a big crowd here to see Dappled Cities, a band whose music has been varied, in both sound and reception, across releases. There is loud dance music punching through the room. It's a bit full-on – appropriate if we were in some kind of Hard NRG strobe bunker – but we're not, instead there are tables and dappled chairs (yes, dappled) and young people who would probably enjoy some decent conversation if the psy-trance weren't turned up to 11.

Anyway, enough with the cynicism, it's Friday night and Dappled Cities have arrived. Tim Derricourt walks out and pumps the air with both hands as Dave Rennick, the other frontman, starts singing Work In The Mould, a party-starter off their new album. The crowd push forward. “Thank you so much Melbourne, we are overjoyed to have our new record out,” says Derricourt. Next is Holy Chord, off Granddance, instantly appeasing older fans who now know that tonight's setlist won't contain new material exclusively. The walloping bassline kicks and Derricourt's huge falsetto sounds before he shifts down to his operatic baritone (he is such an interesting singer). Animated and charismatic, his shoulders swing. “What does it mean,” he sings, “to take off all your clothes, and look into your eyes and say I mean it.” It makes our eyes smile. The tracks from Granddance go down a treat, particularly the beautiful, hypnotic Fire, Fire, Fire.

From Zounds, they play The Price, Wooden Ships and the frenetic The Night Is Young At Heart, which ends in percussive pad- and block-hitting. The beat lingers mysteriously then leads into the uplifting new single, Born At The Right Time. What a poignant phrase! (Even if Paul Simon did sing it first.) Songs off Lake Air are well received, including the album's title track, a lush mid-tempo disco-inspired tune; as well as Waves, a lovely ballad that Rennick sings alone on his keyboard. The two singer-songwriters, Rennick and Derricourt, as well as being very talented, are so different. But they work on the same page, toward a common goal, which is a pretty special thing. Dappled Cities, you're still golden, so keep making the kind of music you are capable of and we'll pack it out next time, promise.