Live Review: Futuresounds V

Futuresounds is many things: a music collective, label and festival. Founders Tom Gaffney and Patrick Lang curated a stunning line-up for the fifth instalment of Adelaide's only local electronic music festival. Punters zigzagged their way through Crown & Sceptre Hotel, immersing themselves into 23 acts across three stages.

Beginning upstairs at the Beats Stage, Gaffney debuted his new duo Alleles. Standing behind a screen they delivered bass heavy remixes while HOLINAU experimented with harsh sounds on the Alternative Stage. Each act played 30-minute sets, but PNKFME aka Lachlan Turnock could have easily held his audience all night. The young producer mixed clean rap beats with soulful vocals, encouraging the shy crowd to move with him. Turnock has only played a handful of gigs but is already a confident and skilled performer.

On the Fresh 92.7 Stage RAYGUN's slow-paced rapping and sci-fi influenced hip hop beats missed the mark while Only Objects wanted you to dance like it's 1988. Sounding like a spooky futuristic glam band, the four-piece love neon lights, dark lipstick and pulsing techno grooves, with frontman Patrick Lang sounding like a robot. Electro-pop trio Nakatomi expertly controlled their catchy hooks and dark bouncing beats. Em Smart's vocals were strong as she prowled the stage, staring at anyone who dared not to move. They recovered quickly from a few technical difficulties, building up the energy with a cover of Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill played over a Nine Inch Nails beat.

For some acts the tiny spaces felt awkward, the audience hesitant to move as they watched from afar. But Archangel dived immediately into the hyped up crowd, rapping over trap beats and bouncing off bodies. A bundle of positive vibes, his fun personality infected the entire room. Over on the Alternative Stage, ambient pop duo Kimonono were summoning fairies with their glittery and haunting sounds. Heavy reverbed vocals and sparkling synths evoked a lush Purity Ring, but they have their own ethereal presence. Lonelyspeck provided a moment for everyone to breathe with calming guitar, angelic vocals and trickling samples.

Although 20 minutes late to the stage, disco-funk masters The Swiss were greeted by cheers from the waiting crowd. The duo consists of local producer Luke Million and Empire Of The Sun's drummer Tony Mitolo. They donned white silk bomber jackets, looking ready to star in their own crime-fighting '70s movie. Songs blurred seamlessly together with constant infectious beats, ensuring everyone danced long into the night.

Futuresounds V gathered the weirdest and most wonderful of local beat makers. While the space felt cramped at times and there were slight issues with noise bleed, this did not detract from the multitude of talent. Acts such as Kimonono, PNKFME and Archangel were outstanding, providing a glimpse into the future of Adelaide's electronic scene.