Back in the Fifth Grade, in the days of tuck-shop lunch orders and exercise books, we were made to learn an instrument at my school. It was not my own decision as to which one it would be, as that would be far too independent a decision for a juvenile. Like any other 10 year old boy, I yearned to hold the guitar or smash the drums. Instead I was handed a violin, which at the time I thought to be very uncool.

Now a decade later, watching locals TrueLive at the beloved HiFi Bar, I like to think I’ve grown up a little. Playing on Sunday evening after a wet Melbourne weekend the six piece outfit were able mash classical, swing-jazz, rock and urban hip-hop into an explosive live show as part of the Australasia World Music Expo.

Stepping to the stage just shy of 12 A.M. with their uniquely designed string instruments, keys, drums, the gentlemen donned fitted suits under cool blue lighting, softening the often dingy rock venue. One could easily have mistaken it for a Chicago jazz den rather than an Aussie hip hop gig.

From the outset it seemed TrueLive were out to defy the strangely late Sunday night slot that was given to them. They looked immediately like guys playing in their hometown, with MC Rhyno displaying a comfortable and energetic swagger. Kicking things off with To the Skies, heads began to jog to the lively opener as the uninhibited crowd began to obediently following the frontman’s order to “bounce”.

With energies lifting, the lyrics of more political tracks like Question This were echoed loudly back to the stage by a floor-pounding audience. With the set then beautifully broken up with a Hendrix-like solo of their French violinist, Tamil Rogoen, it made me rue ever thinking the violin was “lame” or “for dorks”.

The tightness of the band allowed the thumping beats and hip hop vocals to blend seamlessly into the epic and sometimes playful string riffs to create a unique sound. This was not hip-hop simply of the two-turntables-and-a-microphone variety. The pleasure of this made me forget I had to face Monday in a mere 6 hours.

This momentary escape became disrupted by the mismanagement of either the venue or the Expo, making it clear that things needed to be wrapped up very soon. With Rhyno cheekily explaining, “they say we can only have two more (tracks). I think we should do another 6”. With the crowd proceeding then to chant “6 more”, they rolled on. Another eye-popping violin solo by the Frenchman and his fellow stringman, Tim Blake on the cello, they showed that their hip hop edge was backed by some serious classical training.

Somewhat rushed they churned out their two most well known tracks, Keep Myself Awake and TV in a double barrel race to the finish. With time being of the essence it still didn’t seem to bother to the majority of the venue, who danced like there was no tomorrow to the most recognizable and infectious of their tracks. Although one of the heckling voices from darkness behind wasn’t so enthusiastic, opposing the band’s recent stint on Ramsey Street. Repeatedly shouting “Get the f*** off Neighbours”, a bit of an elephant had descended upon the room. With Rhyno awkwardly laughing it off and the keyboardist playfully playing the show’s theme tune, the outfit kicked onto their final track unbothered.

The show closed leaving me on the damp Melbourne streets with my Sunday evening hip-hop hunger satisfied, knowing that whatever lack of sleep will be made up for with a bounce in my step for days to come.