CLIENT LIAISON @ Jack Rabbit Slim’s
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Filthy funky Melbourne duo Client Liaison infected Jack Rabbit Slims’ horde of party people last Thursday with a thirst for 80s Australiana in a sell out storm of a show.
Luke Million, the man who gloriously remixed the Stranger Things theme song revved up the synth gearbox with some juicy beats that had the room vibing on just the right level. Then, as 80s Australian anthem Great Southern Land simmered down, Client Liaison‘s Monte Morgan and Harvey Miller descended the stairs to claim the Jack Rabbit’s stage. A suspenseful thrill emitted through the expectant crowd and it was abundantly clear that some serious fans were in the mix.
Monte sported his quintessential blow out of brown locks donning a baby pink suit as shimmering gold earrings dangled down the sides of his face. A kookaburra’s laughter swelled in the air, as vintage video footage from Australian parliament rolled on behind the boys. The room proceeded to burst into sounds of synthetic bass mixed with an array of purple and white spotlights as the show kicked off with Canberra Won’t Be Calling Tonight, the first song off the band’s debut album Diplomatic Immunity.
Much of the music from the offset could potentially have blurred into the dangerous territory of same-ishness. However, unison dance moves, guitar renditions with backs pressed to one another along with multiple wardrobe changes meant that feet were safe from remaining stuck to the sticky floor even for a millisecond as the entire show captivated me into grooving on throughout.
Killer crowd pleasers such as Off White Limousine and Feed The Rhythm sensationally displayed the playfully creative essence of Client Liaison as a band. Client Liaison are splendidly clever in their bid to reinvent and gift back to us the best of nostalgic Australia without losing a distinctively funky international flavour.
They can even almost be forgiven for exiting the stage in the certainty they’d be called back in fabulous cliché encore fashion by a pleading crowd. The synth pop kings re-emerged in yet another wardrobe change to throb the hit single World Of Our Love in a close for the show.
Ultimately Thursday night was an experience kitted out with creative innovation in addition to familiar nostalgic vibes of inspiration. Client Liaison delivered a masterful performance and left a distinctive stamp to keep us feeding the rhythm until they’re back again.
SARAH DAY
Pics by Castaway Photography
