Live Review: Jungle, Alta

Melbourne-based duo Alta are the perfect opener as they channel their animalistic side with trippy elephant sound effects and deep atmospheric tones. Julius Dowson is behind the complex beats while Hannah Lesser provides raspy and emotive vocals. We soak up the pulsating grooves in their dark, electronic soundscape that builds tension while employing a steady, rhythmic pace to dance along. The duo push boundaries with experimental sounds and vocal pairings during their striking live performance. They share their latest single Sentiment, which is a set highlight with hypnotic, alternative-pop elements and swooning production.

Funk collective Jungle begin tonight's show with a new song as each member of the impressive seven-piece band takes their place behind the plethora of instruments set up on stage. The four singers up front harmonise together around intricate instrumentation. "I know we've been away a while, but we've been making our second record," says frontman Josh Lloyd-Watson.

Jungle haven't toured Australia or released anything since 2014, when they dropped their debut self-titled album, so fans are in for a real treat tonight as the band share a few new songs as well as their golden oldies. We're delighted to hear that their new material doesn't stray too far away from their signature sound: electric funk-soul and loose-limbed swagger. It flows on from where they left off to extend tropical beats and syncopated grooves that get us dancing our butts off. Another new song Lloyd-Watson introduces as Beat 54 is a set highlight that evokes a neo-soul/disco vibe with an irresistible, chilled-out rhythm. A down-tempo slow burner with tender lyricism works up into a steady boogie.

"It was a bit of a scorcher today! Is it always this hot?" asks bassist Tom McFarland, having just experienced the soaring, 40-degree temperature earlier in the day. Fittingly, they continue with The Heat to raise temperatures even further and we melt into the dancefloor thanks to this euphoric summer anthem. Jungle's vibe is infectious and we are mesmerised by their instrumental jam sessions between songs. Lloyd-Watson and McFarland hold guitars up high over their heads in a display of rockstar showmanship and strobes flicker to the beat.

Jungle then play Lemonade Lake off their first record and Lloyd-Watson admits that they don't play this song often, adding that tonight they feel inclined to share it with us. The mellow, psychedelic track bubbles with slick falsetto, slowing the pace for a moment before the band's big finish. "Happy New Year!" shouts McFarland, before adding, "Fill this one with love, let's be positive and take our heads to a higher place." The band then continue with a love song called Drops. After promising they'll be back really soon and that their new album is not too far away, Jungle leave us with Time and the crowd excitedly shouts back every lyric.