Live Review: E^ST, The Money War, Elli Schoen, NDORSE

There was no better way to kick back on a Sunday afternoon than with the chill-vibes found at the Aviary rooftop sessions in Perth's CBD. A stellar line-up of local acts and a fine-tuned headliner, it was ultimately easy to surmise how great the show was going to be amongst the rooftops of Perth.

NDORSE was the first act to light up the afternoon - set atop on possibly one of highest placed DJ decks in Perth - it was a wonder NDORSE was not fraught with the dangers of exposure. Survival was probably achievable with a well-earned, chilled pint. Playing up those smooth beats to the avidly attentive punters, the gig was off to a good start.

Elli Schoen hit the stage and was the epitome of style. Clad in rock-leather pants, her deeply lurid vocals emanated to the rooftops surrounding the Aviary. Providing a pleasing serenade to the afternoon shoppers below, punters were arcing back and forth to her rhythms, marinading in a strong, heady mixture of blues, rock and folk.

The Money War threw out some jangley rhythms and a unique tone and genre you just couldn't put your finger on. Feeling like they had taken something old and appropriated it into something deliciously new, it was pleasurably unique and brought the gig into a uniquely evocative place of old-school rock entwined with the lyrical charm of a modern poet. Props had to go to vocalist Carmen Pepper's choice in bright red pants - The Money War's fashion game was on point.

With the sun setting and night-time falling atop of the Aviary, the anticipation for E^ST was getting infectious. With the equipment being set up, E^ST emerged on to the stage to a newly formed crowd, ready to dance the night away to an ecstatic combination of synth, samples and beats. E^ST practiced what she preached, killing it on stage and moving with an insane dexterity matched by a few members of the crowd who got low.

Smashing out into The Alley, Old Age and Get Money!, E^ST's music was simultaneously as fleeting as it was crisp. It was at the choruses that the sweet spot of her music lay, taking the punters even higher than the Aviary rooftop itself. After bearing witness to seeing E^ST on stage, it was a shock to think the crowd may not get their feet back on the ground.