Reviewed onThursday December 3
Mike Stroud and Evan Mast – otherwise known as Ratatat – can put on an explosive live show. The Brooklyn-based duo are in the midst of a handful of shows for their Australique Tour, culminating in a slot at Meredith Music Festival, with the tour name a spin on the title of their fifth studio album, Magnifique, released in July this year.
Melbourne-based group Black Cab opened the Sydney show, channelling the croaky baritone vocals and alt-rock sounds of New Order. That said, their influences are more firmly rooted in psychedelic rock of the ’70s and drone music. There were some catchy elements amongst the nicely crafted electronica, though the set felt a little lacking in dynamism.
Ratatat took the stage a solid half-hour behind schedule. The mounting anticipation of the crowd was largely absorbed by a string of roadies and sound engineers. When it finally arrived, the set was accompanied by an intense audiovisual show, complete with revolving Renaissance sculptures, psychedelic birdlife, and a dazzling display of lasers. People were actually whipping out sunnies to cut the glare.
They opened with ‘Pricks Of Brightness’ from the new album and cranked out ‘Cream On Chrome’ mid-set, which is just a damn good tune. In between club bangers and more intricately layered electronica, there were some new renditions of old favourites, such as ‘Wildcat’ and ‘Loud Pipes’. On this evidence, guitars have returned to the forefront of Ratatat’s music – there were face-melting solos and lashings of showmanship.
There was a distinct lack of audience interaction, not that it was particularly missed. Barely more than a ‘thank you’ was uttered from beginning to end. While some might question Ratatat’s evolution (or lack thereof) as a band, their rocktronica mash-ups are still thoroughly enjoyable.
