Live Review: Neon Tetra, Joint Ventures

Neon Tetra launched their latest single Memoriam at Jive to great success on Saturday night. In the six months since the band's preliminary writing phase, they have already managed to clear themselves a space in Adelaide's burgeoning music scene.

Joint Ventures couldn't have been a more fitting prelude to the headliner's set. Featuring members from Sonofone, Devils Elbow and Mrs Baker, they craft choppy and nonchalant instrumental beats that would be just as suitable on a club dancefloor as at a hip hop show. Elements of glitch, funk and trip hop kept the atmosphere vibrant as swathes of tropical tones hit the crowd.

Neon Tetra are an ambitious band. Their concise, if divisive, output and a solid release plan has snagged them early and immediate success. They take cues from the likes of New Order, Tame Impala, Pink Floyd and David Bowie, the result is a combination of psychedelic rock, pop and new wave that isn't confined to to the sum of its parts. On the night, Josh Allen's voice was unique and non-conforming - hitting ranges other bands in the local circuit are neglecting - while Oscar Westell's drumming utilised syncopated rock grooves similar in style to The 1975's George Daniel. Liam Roche's bass playing was minimalist, the desire to steer away from over-saturation proving that 'less is more' and allowing Dan Clohesy to create a warm river of synths.

Memoriam is Neon Tetra's best work to date; featuring the energetic tropes of a band like King Gizzard while simultaneously creating a contemplative nostalgia. Neon Tetra are one to look out for, and Saturday will certainly go down as one of the landmark early shows in their career.