Live Review: GL, Harvey Sutherland, CC:DISCO

The stone cold ambience of a near empty bar softens as CC:DISCO spins her first track. None of the funk beats are easily recognised, but the chunky bass gives people enough reason to abandon their seats. Some move to the barren dance floor, but the groove isn't enough to attract the bashful few awkwardly bopping on the sidelines.

The atmosphere begins to come alive as Harvey Sutherland takes to the decks. He jumps between digital and vinyl records, following the same electro-funky feel of the set before, only embellished with more '80s classics. Everyone loosens up as more people begin to leak onto the dance floor, up on the mezzanine, and overcrowd the bar.

The whole room is filled shoulder to shoulder when the Melbourne duo GL modestly walk onstage. Ella, dressed like a Go-Go goddess, perches behind a mic and waits while Graeme smashes out the groovy introduction of Take Me Back on his electronic drum kit.

The duo have the mood of the audience in their hot little hands from the very beginning. They push through the hyperactive drumbeats of Tonight, and gradually ease into a somber atmosphere as Ella's voice echoes through a trance of hypnotic bass in Runner. Their silhouettes against a projected colorful backdrop help the dance floor to slide into a haze of futuristic funk beats and easy sing-along hooks. The whole audience moves together, making it impossible not to groove along.

Their newest single Number One, showcases the heavy vocal influence from late '80s pop queens - the dizzy embellishments of Kylie, speech-level tones of Madonna, and energy driven power screams of Cyndi. People eventually start to pile up on the steps of the balcony to watch the spikes in performance intensity. Each time Ella's pipes open up to deliver a vocal gem, the whole room erupts with applause. She then persists to whip her blonde bob to the rhythm of Graeme's punchy synth solos. 

Without warning, the pair suddenly thank the crowd for coming, which leads to the instant close of the set. The duo's straight-line to the bar without a bow or call for encore made for a very abrupt finish. And you're left wondering, is this my cue to exit? Maybe they cut the set short for drinks - after all, they did announce it was Graeme's birthday.