Grouplove, Mikhael Paskalev @ 170 Russell, Melbourne (25/07/2014)
It was the first Friday night of Splendour and many people gathered on the muddy fields to watch some of the greatest bands in the world play. But we were not in Byron, the Melbournians that rocked up to see Grouplove and Mikhael Paskalev play at the newly renamed 170 Russel venue (formally Billboards).
Mikhael Paskalev and his band kicked off the night. He sounded great, however I thought they were a little stagnant and not very engaging to the audience onstage. They swayed around in a similar style to the iconic Beatles film clip “Love Me Do”. The drummer was an exception, playing the music with his whole body including different faces. He was welcomed with a huge applause from the crowd at the end of their set. iSpy was a crowd favourite, and he finished off with Cowboy Disco and an excellent harmonica solo. The build up to Grouplove was fantastic. The intermission music faded, the lights dimmed and our anticipation bubbled. Our senses were suddenly blasted with dub step and funky lasers, as Grouplove came onstage jumping with excitement and passion. They opened with I’m With You, and the crowd went mental. I was so impressed with the energy they played with and how chemistry Christian Zucconi (lead vocals, guitars) and Hannah Hooper (keyboard, vocals) played with. They of course, are a couple offstage as well. |
Through the night we saw spins, jumps, head banging, lay down guitar solos, crowd surfing and just about anything cool you could think of.
We also got to hear a live version of their 'The Fault in our Stars' single Let Me In. The song is very sugary and a little more down tempo than the other stuff they played.
There was no real highlight of the night because the set was so solid. But, towards the end drummer Ryan Rabin played drums with illuminated drum sticks, which was really damn cool and unique.
A little Beastie Boys Sabotage cover hyped up the crowd even more before they finished off the regular set with Bitin the Bullet and Slow.
They made their encore obvious, which is a better way to do it in a world were almost every band plays an encore. The beat at the end of slow flowed into the darkness before they came back on. Boarderlines and Aliens, Ways to Go and Colours topped off the night.
Grouplove aren’t going to be back in Australia for some time while they write and record a new album. But when they do, make sure you go, because their live show is one of the most energetic and fun gigs you could go to.
Ryan Hyde
We also got to hear a live version of their 'The Fault in our Stars' single Let Me In. The song is very sugary and a little more down tempo than the other stuff they played.
There was no real highlight of the night because the set was so solid. But, towards the end drummer Ryan Rabin played drums with illuminated drum sticks, which was really damn cool and unique.
A little Beastie Boys Sabotage cover hyped up the crowd even more before they finished off the regular set with Bitin the Bullet and Slow.
They made their encore obvious, which is a better way to do it in a world were almost every band plays an encore. The beat at the end of slow flowed into the darkness before they came back on. Boarderlines and Aliens, Ways to Go and Colours topped off the night.
Grouplove aren’t going to be back in Australia for some time while they write and record a new album. But when they do, make sure you go, because their live show is one of the most energetic and fun gigs you could go to.
Ryan Hyde