Caribou @ Sydney Opera House

Upon entry to the Concert Hall for Caribou’s biggest headlining show in Australia to date, there were signs explicitly warning all who dared to venture further that tonight’s performance would contain – quote – “very loud music”. It didn’t take long at all to prove that the signs in question were not merely for decoration: Dan Snaith, the mastermind behind the moniker, emerged onstage alongside his three-piece band to the sound of thunderous, seat-rattling sub-bass that set the mood for what was to follow.

Translating such detailed, pinpoint arrangements as those of Caribou’s into a live context would seem problematic from a theoretical standpoint. Live, Snaith provides the majority of the vocals, as well as keyboards, sequencing and even some extra drums from time to time. The introduction of live instrumentation into the environment bolsters and expands the songs. It’s tampering with a proven formula, yes, but it’s an enhancement rather than a hindrance. The drums effortlessly transform from locked-in replications of the processed beat found on the original recordings into rollicking, free-form fills, particularly when Snaith sits in for some duelling percussive action in the lengthier jam sessions. The use of guitar and bass, too, adds a deeper layer of dynamics to tracks already rich in them. What could potentially feel superfluous instead becomes one of the more important elements of the Caribou live experience.

Being that it was such rhythmically propulsive music on offer in an all-seated venue, it was clear that it was not a matter of if the masses would come to stand as one, but when – during ‘Bowls’, one of the ravier moments from 2010 LP Swim. At first, a handful of people rose out of their allocated spots in the first few rows. Their neighbouring rows followed suit one by one, like some sort of one-way Mexican wave. It happened again for breakthrough single ‘Odessa’ and, of course, recent Hottest 100 position-holder ‘Can’t Do Without You’, here delivered both as a joyous celebration of love and of Caribou’s achievements in the calendar year just past.

Before the finale of ‘Sun’, Snaith pointed out that the drummer’s father and brother have both travelled from their native Canada just to see the show. It was a wondrously sentimental note to go out on. As a live group, Caribou have hit the next level, and they’ve done it on one of the grandest stages of them all.