Outside the Athenaeum Theatre, flagged by velvet ropes and a red carpet, sat an off-white limousine complete with Canberra plates and Australian flags mounted on the hood. If there was ever any doubt that Client Liaison were here to bring it, it was erased before walking into the building.
Inside, Luke Million had the crowd eating out of his hands. Million jumped around like a kid on a sugar high as he effortlessly manoeuvred between his decks, mini-keyboard and electronic drum pad. The 40-minute set was a fusion of cosmic electro-pop meets ‘90s video game sound effects, featuring a Stranger Things theme song remix, the silky vocals of Ariel who made a few onstage appearances and insane keyboard solos as Million whisked his keyboard into guitar position and sent his fingers flying up and down the keys.
After a brief interlude charged with tangible anticipation, the red velvet curtains were drawn, revealing a stage shrouded with giant water coolers, pot plants, an ‘80s desktop Mac, a landline telephone and of course, an Australian flag. Vocalist Monte Morgan and keyboardist/beat master Harvey Miller took to the stage, the patriotic duo decked out in wide brim hats and yellow suits embroidered with wattles, koalas, parliament house and all things Australian. Just like Morgan’s luscious mullet, it was business meets party.
Starting off with a bang, pyrotechnics exploded from the front of the stage as Client Liaison launched into Canberra Won’t Be Calling Tonight which was concluded by Morgan’s bellowing digeridoo solo backed by Miller giving thanks to the owners of the land. The crowd were already lapping it up when guitarists Tom Tilley and Geordie Miller joined the stage for Pretty Lovers, followed by a stripped back rendition of Hotel Stay, with the crowd joining in as Morgan’s vocals soared.
Smoke cannons blazed as Client Liaison kicked things up a notch with Feed The Rhythm. The hospitable hosts then asked if anyone was feeling thirsty before Tilley and Miller disappeared backstage, re-emerging with a case of Fosters in tow which they distributed to the front row fans. Meanwhile, Morgan ducked backstage for an outfit change, emerging in nothing but tight metallic pants and a giant gold necklace. From here on out it was a flurry of slap bass, a mock phone call from the ATO, epic guitar solos with pyrotechnics shooting from the end of Geordie’s guitar and a rap from Harvey who was now dangling from the balcony above the crowd. All the while the boys were sliding, shimmying and shaking across every inch of the stage making their precisely choreographed routine seem effortless.
As the gig wound down, the retro pop kings delivered a dose of nostalgia with their rendition of Savage Garden’s I Want You, before bidding the audience farewell with Off White Limousine. Feet were stomping as the crowd screamed for more to which Client Liaison gladly obliged, re-joining the stage in new business attire for Queen with Tilley taking to the balcony this time, slapping bass like a funk God.
Throwing it back to their humble beginnings, Client Liaison concluded the show with World Of Our Love by which point half the crowd were up on shoulders as Morgan threw roses into the crowd amid a blaze of pyrotechnics, inviting everyone to join them at the after party before saying a final goodnight. All in all, the show was an energetic, finely-tuned, theatrical performance with Client Liaison never straying from their personas and reminding everyone what live music is all about.
By Kate Streader
Highlight: When Tom Tilley looked me in the eye and bent down to underarm bowl me a Fosters can.
Lowlight: The way too drunk couple dancing next to me who alternated between elbowing me in the face and power napping on my shoulder.
Crowd favourite: World of Our Love.
