On Sunday 24th February The Loft hosted Cut The Rug, headlined by Theatre Of Disco, and also featuring resident DJs Somatik, Jamie Lloyd and Jimi Polar.
Due to its magnificent position and view of the harbour, Cut The Rug is fast becoming one of Sydney’s coolest places to be on a Sunday evening. The atmosphere at sunset is one of the most relaxed you’ll find, and it’s a great way to wind down from your weekend. The wooden architecture of The Loft makes you feel like you’re inside an island bungalow, and the laidback and minimal beats mixed up by the resident DJs are the perfect accompaniment. The other major draw to Cut The Rug are its monthly headliners, with previous live acts including Hermitude, and this time around electro-pop dance outfit Theatre Of Disco.
It’s not surprising that the event has become as popular as it is, when its residents include Jamie Lloyd and Jimi Polar, voted by 3DWorld as 2007’s Best Live Act. It’s a title they deserve, as their ability on the decks sees them set a fitting mood for the evening ahead. The crowd was at their mercy as the sun set behind Pyrmont, The Loft lit up by chandeliers and candles. Polar took over from Lloyd, and he proceeded to shift the music from its chilled background state through to a grooving beat that had you tapping your foot. All this, however, was still just building the anticipation for tonight’s headliners Theatre Of Disco.
At around 10pm they took to the stage, with the man behind the music Oli Chang on the keyboard, and lead vocalist James Brennan performing in a red and white jumpsuit filled with pillows, topped off with a black wig. While this may seem odd for other groups, it’s all part of the theatrics with TOD. Brennan’s presence is amazing, and his performance as a singer and ability to connect to the audience were second to none. More often than not it was a good thing, but it could also grate, with him breaking up the music too much between verses for constant talking. Oli Chang showed off his skill as a multi-instrumentalist, switching between gear onstage. They played most of the tracks from their debut EP, and the stand out of the night was their ever popular track ‘Larry’. It’s a bouncy little song with catchy lyrics, and it’s an instant crowd pleaser.
Except for some minor sound issues – like the terrible feedback from the lead mic – the overall sound of the band was exceptional, the whole group keeping it tight from start to finish. It’s easy to say that in 2008 both Cut The Rug and Theatre Of Disco will be two events you can’t afford to miss.
