Live Review: M83, Japanese Wallpaper

Japanese Wallpaper made quite a splash in music news a couple of years ago when the then 17 year old won triple j's Unearthed High in 2014. Gab Strum, the mastermind behind the project, delivers a chilled set of delicate electronic-pop that feels more like a comedown than a warm-up. Lullabies featuring melodies played out on pastel coloured synths. Accompanied by a guitarist, Strum handles the electronics and most of the vocals. His short set includes a cover of Bjork's Hyperballad and closes with Airling guesting on the shimmer of Forces.

M83's latest album Junk took everyone by surprise when it was released earlier this year. The luscious dreamscapes had been replaced by more obvious electro-pop manoeuvres that take M83 into some unexpected, if not cheesy, places. Surprisingly though, tonight's setlist isn't the Junk showcase you might have imagined. Taking only a handful of tunes from Junk out for a walk, it's clear that Anthony Gonzalez still enjoys reaching into back catalogue. Reunion leads the charge and a more ferocious take on Do It, Try It follows. It is a blinding start to the show that dazzles with a light show that delivers a dreamy rainbow of ultra vivid colours. Gonzalez clearly wants to rock and this show is designed to speak to stadium-sized audiences. Meanwhile, Steve McQueen deals the kind of indie-pop thrills that get plenty of airtime on triple j. Beefing up the electro funk of Bibi The Dog strips away some of the cuteness of the original recording to accentuate an irresistible groove that feels a little atomic in scope. Road Blaster comes with plenty or retro '80s sax appeal that effortlessly brings the crowd's hands into the air.

M83 become a little more eclectic in the second half of the set, dealing a selection from the soundtrack to Oblivion and a pretty blinding version of Go! that has Jordan Lawlor dropping his take of that wild, Steve Vai space guitar solo. Lawlor has personality to burn and becomes the centre of attention when soloing. It primes the crowd for the anthemic hit Midnight City that has fans gasping with delight. At their best, M83 invoke grandiose visions, melding luscious immersive sound with irresistible beats that rock the dance floor.

Encores are an absolute highlight as they deal the melancholy For The Kids on which Kaela Sinclair deals some pretty wistful vocals. After a gentle tug at the heartstrings, they ignite a feel-good dance party with Couleurs before sending us tumbling into outerspace with a ten-minute extended version of Lower Your Eyelids To Die With The Sun. It deals pure cosmic shoegaze goodness in such epic proportions that it simply washes the mind clean. After two hours, the crowd leave with huge grins looking completely satiated.