If the April release of Bounce by MSTRKRFT indicated the dynamic duo were moving in a hip hop direction, their recent show at the Metro in Sydney confirmed the suspicions. MSTRKRFT took their experience as seasoned performers and used it to deliver a completely evolved sound.
Before the show started, the eerie light of gigantic blue glowsticks onstage, coupled with the orchestral introduction, hinted that an intense performance was on the cards. Instead of the masked mysteries that I expected, Jesse F Keeler and Alex Puodziukas strolled on stage – no hockey gear in sight – clearly happy to be here, or at least, happy with the quality of Australian liquor. Diving into Vu Vu Vu, it was pretty clear from the outset that MSTRKRFT weren’t here to mess around. Jesse commanded attention, feeling every song with every fibre, whereas Al-P seemed content to chill onstage. Either way, the two seemed to barely communicate, and it was a nod to their serious skills that their minds operated to create one seamless sound. Words such as ‘DESTROY’ and ‘CREATE’ flashed across the screen, and the intensity of MSTRKRFT makes the life-or-death attitude to music believable.
The only reminders of their 2006 debut, The Looks, were epic performances of Easy Love and Neon Knights, so it was pretty obvious that MSTRKRFT were looking to the future. The samplers from their upcoming album may have kept the die-hard fans captivated, but some of the mainstream subset did lose interest. Whether it was planned, or a response to the dwindling dancefloor, the familiar introduction to their remix of Justice’s D.A.N.C.E. escalated the crowd reaction to new heights. The remix has always been regarded as gutsy, since the original was one of the biggest electronic releases of last year, but the live performance was even dirtier and heavier than their recording. It was impossible to breathe in the throng of people, and the atmosphere on the floor only intensified with their remix of The Presets’ My People. The audience reaction to the NORE collaboration on Bounce showed that the new hip hop influenced direction is not harming MSTRKRFT in the slightest. A quick nod to their idols, Daft Punk, was followed by what seemed to be the final track, their remix of Kylie’s Wow. But, with every climax that seemed the perfect ending, the boys kept throwing in new surprises and didn’t want to leave.
The eccentricity of the conclusion pointed to the fact that MSTRKRFT reject all of the dynamics which form the average stageshow. There was no thrilling final track or clichéd and planned encore. Instead, the Canucks left the stage in a shroud of mystery and bemusement, taking a final jab at their Aussie little brothers with a recording of Hot Pie and Tomato Sauce by Crocodile Dundee’s John Mellion. This quirky track was the result of JFK hitting up forums for some song he heard on Triple J, in exchange for unseen cuts of old Death from Above 1979 tracks. Nobody knew exactly how to react to the slightly embarrassing local tune, but the crowd wanted more. It was past 4am, but nowhere near bedtime. JFK re-emerged, slightly disheveled, and confirmed all suspicions; “We’re pretty drunk, but we may as well play one more.” The boys attacked Love in this Club by Usher with a vengeance, and reminded us that their remix skills outweigh the originals any day. Since the boys were never without a beer in one hand, and a cigarette in the other, MSTRKRFT must be miracle workers to turn the turntables. Honestly, their ability to rescue cringe-worthy tracks by Kylie and worse means that whilst their next album in October may be anticipated, fans also eagerly anticipate the next set of remixes.
kiwiolly says...
Was a pretty awesome gig, everyone up front covered in burning blue glow stick juice at the end was good fun! Oh and the my people remix is by DIM not mstrkrft ;)
ags_arnheim says...
Yeh, really sorry to everyone who got covered in burning blue glow stick juice at the end of the MSTRKRFT show... I pulled it apart with a mate, I definately won't do that again, I couldn't see for an hour and it really really burnt. Great show all the same.