Live Review: Mount Kimbie @ The Hi Fi

West End's The Hi-Fi has been open for some time now, but with its Sydney sister venue opening its doors recently and the Melbourne affiliate doing strong, the powers that be have decided to throw a party. The Hi-Fi Shoreline Series starts here in Brisbane, and local artist Arundel is given the baton to kickstart the proceedings. Lucas Arundel uses a variety of effects on his guitar as programmed beats and loops echo from his laptop, somewhat removed from some of his recorded output, but with its trip-hop stylings it's a trend throughout tonight's bill. He is met on stage by friends Claire Whiting and Simon Crossley on vocal duties – both are great, with Whiting particularly impressing.

Melbourne duo, Oscar + Martin, don't have the best start to their set. Their style of experimental wonky R'n'B is a layered mess due to a mixture of sound mix problems and syncing issues. However, the boys hit their stride with the excellent Chaine Maile, one of the best stand-alone songs of the night. Martin (King) tries on a new song solo, a crooning number not too far removed from The Weeknd's oeuvre, which resonates strongly. They falter again near the end with syncopated beats dropping out – the levels of noise grate against the space that the recorded versions allow them to develop – but finish strong enough, and are affable performers that have won the crowd over regardless.

Hiding behind the thick black curtain, Mount Kimbie is introduced to the crowd in a swathe of smoke and blue lights. The London duo begins with an industrial grind somewhat at odds with the post-dubstep blueprint that has made them household names the world over, but this is merely a ruse. Sticking to the gamut of tracks from breakout album, Crooks & Lovers, they are resilient in holding on to their tense electronic soundscape, refusing to allow the tension to drop. Nothing is easy, nor is it meant to be, with Dom Maker and Kai Campos' technical brilliance creating an intricate collage of beats and effects that is hard to penetrate. Maybes is the closest to actual dance music that the duo offer, yet it is clear that Before I Move Off is the track that everyone recognises. They are resilient at keeping things sanguine and understated, yet with a noted change in their aesthetic with the added emphasis on vocals, with Campos proving to be more of a focal point than on their previous releases. It's proof that Mount Kimbie have truly carved their own niche, and their next effort is likely to be just as alluring.