Live - Ladytron - Sydney Opera House

Reviews, By danny corvini, 5th June, 2009

Sydney-siders are a blessed race sometimes. We may have the most inept government out of all the states, the worst transport system and only a few good venues, but in the Opera House’s hallowed Concert Hall we have one of the world’s most special spaces. Performing under the sails this week, Ladytron flew in to be part of the first annual Vivid Festival, in the Luminous section curated by Brian Eno.

Ladytron essentially only have two hits in Australia – 2002’s Seventeen and Destroy Everything You Touch from 2007. However, the band are one of the most obvious reference points for the electro-pop movement from this decade, and so the show attracted all sorts of hipsters from late teens to twilighters. There was a lot of anticipation that we would witness something truly ground breaking in this performance, especially with the Luminous program featuring just a smattering of acts purporting to represent “the future of music,” according to Brian Eno.

The Concert Hall must be a daunting environment for a band, especially one whose music is dance oriented. There is no dancefloor where those who are so-inclined can gather, and the downward-facing levels are all in seated rows. It crossed my mind that being in the Concern Hall feels like being trapped in a clam; I can only imagine what it feels like for a band at the lowest point of the clam, waiting nervously to begin their set.

And the first half of Ladytron’s set was slightly cold. With no talking between tracks except to introduce songs, and singers Helen Marnie and Mira Aroyo facing the side of the stage or even the band behind them, there seemed little attempt to engage the audience.

Fortunately, their set has an upward flow and by midway the songs were getting stronger and more melodic and the crowd were starting to defrost and adjust to hearing such a band in such a space. Just as I was feeling the change of ambience in the air, one of the singers said, “It’s so good to be here tonight!”. Thankfully, Ladytron loosened up and enjoyed their once-in-a-lifetime experience, because it felt for a while there like they wouldn’t.

From there on in the band relaxed and so did the crowd. Most people danced in their rows, while a few remained studiously seated in their places. Ladytron’s set built up sublimely to a fitting finale Seventeen, with thunderous applause demanding a return to the stage, the encore including Destroy Everything You Touch.

It was not the most amazing live music experience; on the whole feeling slightly experimental in a “will it work here?” kind of way. But as far as good nights go it got there in the end.

Ladytron’s tour continues in Melbourne at The HIFI, Friday June 5 and in Brisbane at The HIFI, Sunday June 7.

Luminous continues until June 14, with Brian Eno joined by Underworld’s Karl Hyde and other guests in the Concert Hall on the final night.