Live Review: Mark Ronson, Pond

Is it a bad sign when hardly any of Margaret Court Arena's food outlets are open? There also doesn't seem to be any ushers. Never mind, we forget everything once Pond hit the stage — they are all that matter.

Pond frontman Nick Allbrook may dance like a ski pant-wearing mum in his espadrilles, but he's a true musical genius who's also naturally gifted at between-song banter. "How's fuckin' Phil Collins back there!?" Allbrook commends when drummer Jay Watson takes over on lead vocals for a ditty. According to Watson, "Old RonDON" (his affectionate nickname for Mark Ronson) knows how to party and hence Watson's hungover. You Broke My Cool is beyond. Multi-instrumentalist Joe Ryan brings buckets of vibe and some of the bleeps that brrrrrr from Jamie Terry's keys console sound like droid mating calls. Pond could rethink their choice of closer, though; a limp finish rather than a romp mars an otherwise outstanding set.

Mark Ronson fans are Gorman wearers. And, yep! We're treated to the Round The Twist theme song by way of intro tape and it's pretty amusing watching hipsters sing along with every word. Feel Right opens and the screens that mask instrument stations spring to life with constantly changing visuals. And Ronson sure can scratch that wax! Ooh Wee follows and this track SO should've been a worldwide smash way back in 2003. Timely lyrics pop up on the screens to assist us in our karaoke. Ronson's rotating roster of guest vocalists inspire awe and our very own Ella Thompson brings the noise on Bang Bang Bang. When Kyle Falconer from The View is introduced, a dude in the row behind announces, "I could put him in my pocket." We still reckon you've gotta be a cyclist to get The Bike Song. Then on comes Theophilus London to perform his new single, Tribe. WHAT!? This is insane! Just buy it already. We jump from our seats to embrace the forward-thinking beats and London has enough stage presence to pull our eyes away from the always immaculate Ronson. Ronson remains humble and gracious throughout, revealing he's never played anywhere with 'Arena' in the title before.

The familiar intro for Stop Me (Ronson's take on Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before by The Smiths) enters the scene. Getting to hear two incarnations of this spectacular song (as performed by Daniel Merriweather and Johnny Marr himself)? Now that's a good week! Merriweather is currently sporting a gelled forward, Leeds-style, fringed hairdo plus khaki bomber jacket and tailored black strides ensemble. He is in the finest of voices and belongs in venues at least this size, so expansive are his talents. We've always been on team Merriweather. So very keen to see where he takes it from here.

Ronson clocks a handmade sign in the crowd and comments, "No one's ever made me a sign before. Thank you." Tame Impala's Kevin Parker has gotta love performing while his band's album (Currents) is number one in this country. Despite some initial technical issues with his inner-ear monitoring, Parker brings Daffodils to full bloom and a flower has never sounded so wonderfully filthy. Kirin J Callinan adds his guitar wizardry to this track and Ronson praises, "He's my guitar hero." We've all experienced hat hair, but Callinan displays a hat mullet after removing his headwear.

Andrew Wyatt's falsetto soars during Ronson's reggae-tinged remix of Animal (by the band Wyatt fronts, Miike Snow). Wyatt slips over on something, but is only slightly rattled and continues to deliver on the glorious Somebody To Love Me. Amy Winehouse's original vocals over Valerie provides an awesome opportunity to celebrate the late singer's legacy and then they all leave the stage. Like as IF they won't return to play Uptown Funk when the song title's all over the merch!

Unsurprisingly, no notes are taken during Ronson's chart-topping hit 'cause all appendages are needed for the boogie. "HOT damn!" Ronson calls it, "It's been a heavenly night."