Four-eyed fashion reigned at the Hordern Pavilion on Monday night as two of the world’s most recognisable electronic acts teamed up for a double headliner Splendour sideshow. I’m going to be honest, I thought ‘doors open at 8pm’ plus ‘featuring special guests’ equalled plenty of time to rock up, settle in, grab a drink and elbow in for a good space before UK’s Hot Chip took the stage.

Nay. I was stuck in a line at one of the many outdoor bars as the sweet melody of Over and Over trickled outwards from the event at an early 8:30. It could’ve been worse. Many patrons were still smashing Heinekens across the road thinking an hour after doors opened would be appropriate. They missed Hot Chip entirely.

Running in to catch the end of the song, I could luckily snake a sweet spot amongst what appeared to be the oldies section of the crowd. The gloriously geeky band members were sans new daddy Joe Goddard, who made an impressive yet slightly creepy appearance on a large TV screen at the back of the stage singing in-sync with some of the songs.

Hot Chip gave away a few crowd favourites through the middle of the set with Over and Over making way for the softer, newer sound of Hand Me Down Your Love. Their quirky electronic rock transfers oh-so-well to the live stage, differing to their recordings only with the ability to rock that electric guitar harder, and give and take energy from the crowd who immersed themselves in every sing-along opportunity, of which there were many. While enjoying each happy off-beat and hugging our friends (and strangers) over One Life Stand, we also marvelled in their multi-instrumental talent. Anyone who can hop from the keyboard to a guitar to percussion flawlessly deserves a medal.

Hot Chip’s last hurrah came with the uplifting Ready For the Floor, before the set ended rather abruptly. This is the point when I realised that yes, I had missed too much. I’d be disappointed, but after a half hour break, LCD Soundsystem appeared in their place. I must point out that during the entire event, the venue operated beautifully. Short waits at the bars and loos meant we didn’t miss a tune, or suffer through the break in-between.

A rapt and noticeably larger crowd let out hoots and screams as the gentle James Murphy sauntered out to centre stage. Their combination of modern electronic sounds, live energy, sense of humour and an old punk attitude all came out in force through a killer set of favourites. Daft Punk is Playing at my House came dancing out of the speakers early. You would think this might have been a candidate for one of the final crowd pleasers, but then you realise exactly how many they had to get through.

Pow Pow punched us right in the face soon after, kicking off a punky run of All My Friends, Movement and Tribulation, before things got all slow-dance with I Can Change. In such a short set dotted with old and new tunes, you could really pick out the evolution of their sound and enjoy the musical differences in this, a masterpiece of a band. There were hits, and there were misses. But not in their sound, of course. Drummer Pat Mahoney busted his kick pedal, prompting Murphy to say over the mic, “this is the first of many things that will be broken this evening. Next will be a string. Then one of our hearts.” Come on now.

New York, I Love You but You’re Bringing me Down, with a hint of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind thrown in for kicks, sent the crowd home crying that yes, this is the last time we will see these magnificent creatures perform live. The masses danced out the doors to the DJ’s idea of a good song to get everyone the f’ out quickly – Electric Avenue – leaving us all with a beautiful two hour experience from a couple of the most graceful electronic acts Sydney will ever see.