Live Review: Peking Duk, Benson, The Meeting Tree

Everyone holds their drinks tightly as the blaring bass of The Meeting Tree attempts to shake them from our grips. Their song R U A Cop is a crowd pleaser, as they periodically shout muffled remarks about social justice and politics. Soon after, Benson spins a few bangers, bringing the energy of the room up to new levels with DMX's Up In Here.

Duo Peking Duk start with a projection of the iconic Universal Studios theme before we dive into a montage that tips its hat to Australia's finest pop culture moments. Through the snippets of Shane Warne's hair loss adventures, The Castle, VB ads, Steve Irwin and the scandalous Australian Idol victory of Guy Sebastian, the silhouettes of Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles take center stage. "Let's turn this place into a fucking sauna," Styles yells, as if putting up with Melbourne's heat for the last 24 hours wasn't already enough.

Bass-heavy mixes of '90s classics embellish Peking Duk's mix as they fly through songs. Their show features a few local artist appearances. Deutsch Duke guests and his smooth, soulful vocals only just poke through the loud house track; Ivan Ooze makes a cameo later on, spitting some verses before momentarily diving into the audience. Ooze tries to crowd-surf, but ends up doing a gawky backstroke, his body submerged in the sea of heads with occasional limbs popping out.

To commemorate the date, Styles showcases his immaculate talent for poetry by substituting "Ay, we want some puss-ay," with "Ay, it's International Women's Day!" They both take the time to acknowledge all of the ladies in the room, as well as the LGBT community, after mentioning their Sydney show over the Mardi Gras weekend. Soon the mosh's rising temperature aptly replicates the heat of Africa as they mix Mufasa with Circle Of Life. Hyde peels his shirt off and encourages the audience to do the same, inspiring half of the room to twirl their sweaty singlets around while they play a new tune infused with funky slap bass. Peking Duk finish the set off with High, Take Me Over and an explosive rendition of Sandstorm, because, really, what's a sweaty dance party without some classic Darude?