A backdrop canvas painting containing cartoon drawn Metronomy band members hung high above the stage of the Hi-Fi Bar in Melbourne on Friday 6 January 2012, as fans packed in ready for the electro-pop act’s anticipated Falls Festival sideshow.

Support act Oscar and Martin casually set themselves up on stage with their drum machines, floor toms and synthesizers. They immediately captured the audience’s attention with their mixture of hip-hop, R&B, electronica and experimental pop, playing songs from their debut LP For You.

The duo’s diverse range of musical instruments and quirky sounds conjured an obscure and intriguing performance, including pre-recorded tape loops, drum stick tapping, tambourines, chimes and bells, combined with smooth and soulful singing and odd spoken sound effects. Singing about mermaids, heartbreak and incorporating role-playing introductions, their organic music reached out to the audience with emotive lyrics and danceable energy, despite their sometimes awkward stage presence.

But seagulls and the sound of the ocean began to play as Metronomy took the audience for a ride down The English Riviera transitioning into the relaxed We Broke Free. As Love Underlined kicked in it was hard not to notice each band member wearing a white, round plastic badge pinned to the right side of their chest and synchronized to the impressive light show, flashing to the beat of the music.

The group instantly made a great connection with their audience, stopping to chat to the crowd and involving them in the show. Lead singer Joseph Mount explained to the audience that they felt like they were playing their last show in Australia, despite still having a Perth show later in the week.

Since last their last show in Melbourne and previous record Nights Out back in 2008, Metronomy has revolutionised themselves with a new drummer Anna Prior, and bassist Gbenga Adelekan. Shaking off the embarrassing ‘dead air’ incident when the music cut out at their last show, the band was in uninterrupted solid form this time and gave a compelling electro pop performance, with high-energy dance routines and light shows.

Their most recent album The English Riviera has been acclaimed as one of the best albums of 2011 and their live performance certainly proved why: with their relaxed slow tones and tempo combined with their vocal electro-pop synth, the new Metronomy material has a noticeably different musical attitude.

Metronomy showcased a variety of different musical styles, from the theatrical Holiday (including a fantastic saxophone solo from the multitalented Oscar Cash) to the slower paced She Wants with ominous synth tones. The repetitively catchy electric keyboard driven track Corrine was a crowd pleaser and the instrumental tracks You Could Easily Have Me and The End Of You Too contained a heavier rock sound and saw Oscar show off his wacky dance moves.

Popular danceable favourites Heartbreaker, The Bay and The Look all proved definite party starters. A mosh-pit broke out in the front of the crowd during A Thing For Me and Everything Goes My Way saw the new powerhouse and fiery female drummer take the lead on vocals whilst drumming along, keeping the smooth beat.

The band had an electronic keyboard face off before the band returned for an encore of On Dancefloors and heavy synth dance favourite R.A.D.I.O L.A.D.I.O, a song the lead singer described as “specifically for Sheila’s but also for Bogans to enjoy too”, as he attempted to make sense of Aussie slang.

Metronomy put on an incredible live performance that brought their retro, electro synth-pop to life and gave the audience a whole new appreciation for their musical genius.