Live Review: GL, Totally Mild, Venus II

Venus II conjure up a psychedelic whirlwind of immersive progressive electronica. It's possibly a bit too early for this type of acid-soaked dance music, which makes our heads spin, but it certainly captures our attention. They're a fitting support act since frontman Jarrad Brown is also part of Dorsal Fins (which GL's Ella Thompson is also in). The duo explore a cosmic landscape that's just as far out of this universe as their name suggests. 

It's their fifth day in a row playing a live show and Totally Mild are pretty happy to have the day off tomorrow. For now, though, we enjoy warm and soothing rock that transports us into a dreamy headspace. Totally Mild have just finished recording their new album so they play a lot of unreleased songs for us tonight. The slow-paced, flowing tunes with layered guitars and synth put us in a euphoric and relaxed state.

It's a very special show for GL tonight as Graeme Pogson and Ella Thompson officially put on their party shoes to celebrate the release of their debut album Touch. They play the album in its entirety for us so that we can experience it in all of its '80s disco glory. From the moment they unleash the seductive synth and funky bass lines, the dancefloor ignites. You simply can't resist their magnetic, electro-pop grooves and nostalgic, retro-boogie anthems.

Thompson shimmers in a glamorous shiny gold outfit with long tassels she shakes like glittering stars above the audience. Her vocals are simply hypnotic, loaded with heartfelt lyrics and soaring choruses to bask in as we continuously move our bodies to the beat. Pogson drums relentlessly, maintaining flirtatious rhythms.

A backdrop of '80s-style animated graphics with neon colours and geometric shapes flash up on the screen, which is an uplifting and inspired touch. Each song makes us feel a different emotional connection that we express with one another through body language on the dancefloor. We cool off with Fall For You, a slow jam that has a sensual, romantic vibe and boasts lush harmonies with a silky smooth production. Number One is a crowd favourite that gives us the ultimate hit of throwback funk that make us feel like first-prize winners.

"Does anyone have a drink that I can have a sip of?" Thompson asks the audience when the duo come back for an encore. We offer up our beverages and cheer GL's return to the stage. They sparkle for the dazzling Hallucinate and we decide that we never want to come out of this retro trance we've surrendered to.