Live Review: Kylie Auldist

Since this old RSL in Oakleigh's gig as a live music venue seems to be coming to an end, Kylie Auldist and her band give us one last show at the old hall. Caravan Music Club attracts an older crowd of baby boomer hipsters, all keen to dust off the travails of the week and get their party on. In the absence of a support act, Auldist generously delivers two long sets. The first kicks off with a stunning version of Chaka Khan's Love Me Still. It's a soft and plaintive love song over which Auldist lets her vocals soulfully ooze. Auldist continues on a laid-back tip with the smooth drift of Pretty Things. The first part of the set offers stripped-back versions of her solo material and even the funky tune by The Bamboos on which she features, I Don't Wanna Stop. The tone of the evening is warm and intimate as Auldist deals bittersweet cuts like One Goodbye and Still Into You alongside covers of Is This Love and Ooh Child. Auldist charms the crowd with a little banter and, describing Aldo Vanucci as some producer from London she never met but co-wrote a song with, unleashes the sassy retro goodness of You're All Show, which concludes the first part of the evening.

After 20 minutes and a costume change, Auldist returns with her sister/backing singer, the flautist and flugel horn players from The Bamboos and couple of dudes on synths who take control of the mix. As the electronic beats kick in, Auldist heads straight to the electro disco; shifting the frame of reference from the '70s to the '80s. Family Tree is an invitation to dance the rest of the evening away. This song fires Auldist up on the marriage equality debate, which she reveals is an issue that's close to her own family, adding she's definitely talking up the 'yes' vote. Auldist's electro vibe pulls the obligatory robotic moves, but the funk is never far away and the results feel a lot like Rufus & Chaka Khan. Super Lucky and No Change merge flawlessly with a cover of Wham!'s Everything She Wants. Even This Girl is given an electro rerub! On the Caravan Music Club's modest sound system Auldist's vocals sound pretty much flawless. Auldist is undeniably the queen of this disco. Sensational feels like an obvious play for chart success, but the bounce of Too Easy brings down the night on a feel-good high.