Live Review: Slum Sociable, Mt Warning, I'lls

A smattering of punters line the walls of Shebeen Bandroom. It's a Monday night and it appears the cold has forced many to remain in their dwellings. I'lls act as prelude DJs for the night and their disjointed underground beats are in line with the subterranean nature of the room, which brings back blurry memories of Liberty Social (the late, beloved dance club that was less than 500 metres away).

Mt Warning steps up; Mikey Bee is alone backed only by an electronic box, which pushes out thudding drum tracks and sings synth melodies. Slowly the group of revellers grows, although shuffling and hanging towards the back of long room. Bee is aware of the crowd's hesitance and remarks, "I make an obnoxious amount of noise for one person." His set is filled with a diverse collection of songs that manage to stay grounded in the same musical realm; each song has moments of rise and fall.

The hype surrounding Slum Sociable is evident as they take the stage. The gracefully coordinated video for their single Anyway has been doing serious rounds on the internet. After making their debut at Sugar Mountain earlier this year, the outfit has gained confidence. Miller Upchurch is finessed as frontman, flinging his tambourine with genuine excitement and vigour. He is joined, of course, by the duo's other half, Edward Quinn, who is positioned behind a keyboard in darkness while holding his Jazzmaster aloft. Despite the glorious-sounding live incarnation of the band, which features important extras Dylan Savage (bass) and Ryan Beasley (drums), the crowd bop encouragingly but lack the alcohol-fuelled enthusiasm reserved for weekend shows. Upchurch tries to incite some movement as he barks, "Feel free to come up the front, are you friggin' frigid?" The room is full, but not brimming. Apartment sees the band stripping back to a thinner sound before bringing waves of their signature jazz fusion crashing down through a memorable chorus.

The set is long; almost dragging until Upchurch announces that the next song will be Anyway. The crowd becomes immediately more upbeat as the unmistakable jagged harp sample cuts the air. This is where Slum Sociable provide their final statement: they are a contextual outcome of modern pop, and smooth jazz and soul, hitting the nail on the head as they finish with their newest single All Night.