World-renowned street performer and loop artist Dub FX, teamed up with the glitch-beat genius Opiuo, for a banging sell-out at Melbourne’s 170 Russell.
Taking to the stage at a quarter to midnight, Dub FX showed the whirling crowd why he has become a superstar in Europe and many other parts of the world. Tearing through tracks off his recent crowd-funded album, ‘Theory of Harmony’, that included ‘The Sky’, ‘Senorita’ and ‘Back to Basics’; the latter featuring Snareophobe jumping on the mic in the absence of usual emcee Cade. The crowd were having fun, and at times, perhaps a bit too much of it.
Dub FX possesses a captivating stage presence that draws the listener in and forces them to dance. This became particularly apparent when he brought out his fiancé, Flower Fairy, to sing us her nursery rhyme raps. At this point the crowd went absolutely nuts, and Flower Fairy seems entranced by her future-husband’s music, constantly dancing as if her feet would catch fire if they were firmly planted on the ground. At one point they were joined on stage by a pair of belly dancers who added an extra element to the night and creating more of a spectacle for their audience.
Accompanied by keyboardist and saxophone extraordinaire, Andy V, for the majority of the show, this new addition to Dub FX’s live show harks back to his roots playing in jazz and funk clubs across Melbourne in the early naughties. Andy exudes a fantastically exuberant stage presence that compliments Dub FX’s perfectly, and adds an extra element of spontaneity to the already free-form show.
Closing with the tune that helped him become a YouTube sensation, ‘Love Someone’, Dub FX showed the Melbourne crowd why us Aussies should pay more attention to DIY artists. They bring something different to the table that major labels and radio stations seem to take little notice of.
Dub FX was quickly followed by glitch-beat purveyer, Opiuo, joined on stage by a scraggy looking guitarist that strangely seemed to work with the electronic tunes Opiuo was laying down. Similar to Dub FX, Opiuo spins the notion that dance musicians don’t play live on its head, using drum pads to help fill out his tracks to great effect.
Opiuo played a number of tunes off his latest album, ‘Meraki’, that was crowd-funded through Pledge Music. A personal highlight was the new tune ‘Snorkal’ that sounds like a glitchy version of Flume. Playing track after track of what can only be called ‘bangers’, Opiuo had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand, entranced by the ecstasy of his music (or possibly the drug).
Towards the end of the set, Opiuo brought out his co-headliner Dub FX, along with Andy V for a tune that had the crowd losing their minds. This was definitely a fantastic way to close out a great night of tunes from two great artists who don’t really get the recognition they deserve here in Australia. It is perhaps their DIY aesthetics, or that international audiences are further advanced in discovering new music, that causes this apparent lack of attention. It amazes me that two homegrown heroes (well, one that’s ours and the other we claimed from New Zealand) of the wider music world, are still relatively unknown. Hopefully the fact that this Melbourne show sold-out, forcing the pair to schedule another show at the Corner Hotel, will make the local industry take notice of them.
Recently, Dub FX performed over at SXSW in Austin, Texas to rave reviews including a performance atop the ‘CanWeNetwork’ bus that featured none other than hip hop legend Talib Kweli jumping on the mic. If that’s not an endorsement of how far he has come, I don’t know what is.
Dub FX and Opiuo played Brisbane and Byron Bay over the weekend, and they’ll play a second Melbourne show on April 7th at the Corner Hotel.
Dub FX and Opiuo Remaining Australasia Tour Dates
Apr 04 The Gov, Adelaide, Australia
Apr 05 Villa Nightclub, Perth, Australia
Apr 07 The Corner Hotel, Melbourne, Australia
Apr 10 Union Hall, Dunedin, New Zealand
Apr 11 Bedford Marquee, Christchurch, New Zealand
Apr 12 The Studio Auckland, New Zealand
Apr 17 James Smith Basement Wellington, New Zealand
WATCH: Dub Fx & CAde – Back to Basics – Feat. Talib Kweli / Niko Is / RES / Andy V on Keys – Live at SXSW
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