Live Review: Thelma Plum, Saatsuma, James Crooks

Heavy, thumping beats echo through the room as Saatsuma conjure up a dark and stormy vibe to begin.

Ominous keys and crackling eerie white noise creates intriguing textural layers to accompany howling harmonies. An untitled new track has strong, electronic-based production and those who feel inclined to have a boogie move to the front and form a small dance circle. Their soon-to-be-launched second single Floating is a highlight to finish as we're swept away in a swirl of dreamy falsettos.

One man band James Crooks hits us with a surge of incredible energy right from the get-go. We watch in amazement as he furiously drums away at a fast tempo to a backing track of pre-recorded vocals from the soulful Paige IV. Crooks tells us that all the songs he's playing tonight were written in his bedroom with a hope that we can all relate in some way. He delivers every element with passion and high intensity, continuing to build momentum up to an explosive peak. You can expect great things from Crooks with his debut EP on its way soon.

Tribal chanting and a danceable beat welcomes Thelma Plum to the stage as she delves straight into her new music. Tonight's a special sneak peek of the material she's been working on for her debut album, which she will be recording after this tour. Her new tunes are more mature and a transition away from acoustic folk-pop. Instead, they have a more polished production with electronic elements and a strong backbeat. It's great to also hear a few old favourites such as Dollar and Around Here thrown into the set, too, but with fresh takes that combine live drums and synths.

Now living in Sydney, Plum is delighted to be welcomed back home to Melbourne for the first of two sold-out shows and her audience's arms are wide open. She's got a bright new haircut with a DIY fringe and some cropped pants she tells us are from the Brunswick Savers and it feels like she never left. Plum's quirky personality is infectious and she shines on a brand new track about ice cream as she confesses her love for the sweetness in life.

She picks up her guitar for a sad song, expressed with honesty and deep emotion, that really shows off her fantastic vocal range. Plum tells us she's better at singing than talking, but we're glad to hear her open up for some support group-style therapy time. She shares her adult breakup experience and decision to move on with this intimate show on her current tour, which is titled The Unromantic Breakups. 

The audience waits quietly between songs as Plum paces across the stage to kill any nerves before a solo acoustic performance of Father Said. Despite audience requests, a cover of Chet Faker's Gold makes a pleasing surprise finale.