Walking down the narrow staircase and into the open room, an electric piano and drum kit was set up for the night’s opening act Billy Fox. As Fox jumped into his first song, his vocal stylings were immediately reminiscent of Chet Faker. As live drum arrangements mixed with pre-recorded beats, synth parts combined with electric guitar, bringing reminders of Groove Armada. The occasional bass drops were quite hectic, sounding like the outcome of spending months in a forest indulging in illicit substances and Hunter S. Thompson novels.
Caravana Sun were up next, opening with their latest single Ashes, a taste of what’s set to be a brilliant second record due later in the year. Slotting in between Madness and Reel Big Fish, their set was packed full of Friday night party jams, the perfect preface for Tijuana Cartel’s headline set. Having toured throughout Europe and played at the World Volleyball championships in Switzerland, if you haven’t seen Caravana Sun you must get on it.
Tijuana Cartel came out to rapturous applause and quickly set about transforming the full dancefloor into an underground rave. It was surprising to see how quickly the venue filled up, but Tijuana Cartel definitely know how to deliver a killer live show. At previous TC gigs, the songs have felt a little too drawn out. However, inside Max Watt’s, it was a perfect sweaty dancefloor affair. Letting It Go off their 2011 release M1 was the highlight of the set, featuring hectic bass drops, which led all hell to break loose on the dancefloor.
Thank you Tijuana Cartel for allowing me to unleash my questionable dance moves in such an iconic Melbourne music venue.
BY TEX MILLER
Photo by David Harris
Liked: Psychedelicatessen in the live format. Definite contender for album of the year.
Hated: The bartender mixing lemon and lime in my Coronas, it’s one or the other.
Drank: Corona.
