As support act Claudio warms up Wednesday’s Rhye-hungry crowd, she warns us that we may all leave pregnant. This mightn’t be an entirely plausible scenario, but it’s fair warning for a band whose opening line is a sultry, “I’m a fool for the shake of your thighs.” Claudio does her part in turning up the heat in the Festival Hub, and we’ve soon forgotten the chill outside. Eye-popping vocal gymnastics and less assured rapping are dropped over some sharp, sensual beats during a performance that’s commanding and cool, yet jokey and endearing in between songs. She garners warmth from the crowd, admitting she feels a bit solitary up on stage alone, surrounded by her cold machines.
Just one half of Rhye is present tonight: Canadian singer Mike Milosh. Danish instrumentalist Robin Hannibal doesn’t tour with the live band, but Milosh is joined by a five-piece band who impress with their skilled instrumentation. Though, I still have a preference for the more electronic bent of the duo’s recorded material – it just fits better fit with Milosh’s dreamy vocal. There are moments during tonight’s performance where it feels like the sedate music would be better suited to a seated venue, but at a couple of key moments, the ballads build to a fuller, louder climax that makes the most of the live instrumentation.
This yo-yo effect causes confusion for some of the crowd at the front, who fail to hush up when Milosh requests some peace for tonight’s swan song. Hilariously, he incorporates a jibe at the jabbering individuals into his verses, but soon after, when he walks to the side of the stage and mimes “For the love of god, this is the sad, quiet song at the end”, you know he means business. In a softly spoken, soul-man kind of way.
BY CHRIS GIRDLER
Photo by David Harris
Loved: Mmm that voice.
Hated: This was my sole Melbourne Festival outing this year.
Drank: Sponsor beverage of some kind.
