I turned up so early I saw them do soundcheck, that's how fucking hardcore I am!
Lake Lustre is just some guy fiddling around on a laptop, producing IDM. Has a chilled, slightly edgy sound. But that's just IDM all over, isn't it? So it's nice, but not really distinctive.
Ollo was disappointingly straight. Like some kind of Pnau-lite since the real Pnau lads are off distracting themselves with side projects. For almost any other Australian producer of dance music, being Pnau-lite is probably not too bad. But I kinda expected something more unique and exciting from Ollo, for they were once so loved and so hyped by Soundlab and 2ser and all those leftfield electronic heads. It was kinda alright, maybe they held back some kookiness because it was a pub, not a club.
Inga Liljestrom. On stage with two cello players, a toy piano and a telephone receiver. Oh, heaven! Of course I'm biased and lately I've been totally infatuated with Inga. She really can do no wrong.
But really, this double cello set up was extraordinary! Inspired. I don't know what she's been doing in all those gigs at the Vanguard, maybe this is nothing special for her. But I was blown away. It was a kinda performance that leaves a crowd speechless, breathless.
Telemetry Orchestra, now with a whole lot more people. I don't know. I think my favourite Telemetry Orchestra is the Children Stay Free era. This, like Ollo, was just a bit too straight. Those kooky electronics are getting swamped by drums, bass and guitars. There's no chance for any early, glitchy electro, Live Better Electrically material to surface. Sigh. Guess they've just moved on. Still, it was an enjoyable set, the band with new players all seem to be having fun. Charlotte was especially a joy to watch, her smile beaming all night and her cute vocals radiating a cheerfulness that's simply irrepressible. Lovely.