Live Review: Mallrat, Oh Boy, Sidechains

Sidechains DJs get the party started with an eclectic set of dancefloor bangers mixed with hip hop favourites before Sydney-based rising star Oh Boy takes control of the decks. Creating a vibrant atmosphere with a live set of '90s-influenced electronic productions infused with modern beats, Oh Boy has us grooving along.

Self-described "Hannah Montana of the rap game", Mallrat seems to have come from nowhere over the past 12 months. After uploading a number of songs to Soundcloud, the Brisbane teen quickly saw the Australian music public longing for more. A stellar 2016 saw Mallrat booked to play festivals across the country before signing a deal with New World Artists and releasing her critically acclaimed debut EP Uninvited. Combining her rap-talk delivery and soothing singing voice with up-tempo electronic beats, Mallrat bridges the gap between hip hop, pop and electronica with a collection of songs that make you wanna dance.

As her DJ spins a remix of Kid Cudi's classic Day 'N' Nite, Mallrat takes the stage from out of the crowd and is all smiles as camera phones fill the air. With just the one EP to her name, the setlist is fairly predictable, but there are no complaints as she opens with the piano-laced For Real (the final track from Uninvited). The slower Sunglasses follows before Mallrat performs the stellar Suicide Blonde, introducing it as the first track she ever wrote at the tender age of 16.

An unreleased track recorded with fellow Brissie act The Belligerents gets a live showing before a cover of Drake's Pop Style receives a surprisingly lukewarm reception. Recognising the average age of those in attendance, Mallrat says, "Thanks to all the students for supporting live music," before Oh Boy joins her on stage. The two perform the frantic Oh Boy & Donatachi song featuring Mallrat, Bunny Island, along with a new, tropical-influenced collaboration that has 'hit' written all over it.

Announcing she only has two songs left, Mallrat strikes with the one-two punch of Tokyo Drift and fan-favourite Uninvited, the latter featuring a crowd singalong as a group of exuberant young ladies invade the stage. The crowd chant, "One more song!" much to Mallrat's amusement. "I don't have anymore songs," she replies, stoked by the enthusiastic reception. Despite this show's short length, Mallrat is an absolute joy to watch. Her infectious personality paired with these feel-good tunes bring smiles to dials and it's only a matter of time before she tops the charts.