Electric Guest @ The Oxford Art Factory

Asa Taccone has had a pretty good run of it lately, with his outfit Electric Guest releasing their debut album Mondo under producer Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley, Broken Bells) and becoming one of the more hyped acts of 2012. Not bad for a man who wrote all the songs in his bedroom. Sydney was lucky enough to be treated to Electric Guest’s delicious tunes during their brief tour down under, which will hopefully be the first of many.

Local Sydney act YesYou kicked off the night with some dreamy dance pop that seemed a perfect fit to support Electric Guest. Originally the brainchild of production duo Jono Kirkham and Gav Parry, they have fleshed it out recently and have begun performing as a full band; a good choice in our opinion. Although it was a short set it was delivered with a clear enjoyment of the music. Their euphoric single ‘Half of It’ smashed any remaining bad vibes in the venue and they then consolidated with a brilliant cover of SBTRKT’s ‘Wildfire’. YesYou, in this Vulture’s opinion, would not look out of place on the Parklife festival stages.

Arriving on stage somewhat haphazardly to still playing background music, Taccone introduced the band before launching into their groove heavy ‘The Bait’. Any apprehension the crowd may have had from this entrance was erased as we were treated to a set full supremely funky and very danceable indie pop. Songs like ‘Under the Gun’ and ‘Jenny’ evoked feelings of Motown while numbers like ‘American Daydream’, ‘Troubleman’ and ‘Amber’ proved that Electric Guest could, if they felt so inclined, break out into extended psychedelia.

Throughout the set, pint-sized front man Taccone showed he was aware of the power of melody with an impressive vocal range on display (along with some seriously sweet dance moves).  With the focus much more on the music the only banter in between songs related to Oxford Art Factory’s latest art installation “It’s literally called God’s Vagina… I hope it doesn’t actually look like that!”  Crowd favourite and single ‘This Head I Hold’ went off superbly and in our opinion is one of the few songs in today’s music that actually requires the term “groovy”. Set closer ‘Holes’ was a synth heavy slow jam that contrasted perfectly with their upbeat numbers and allowed the crowd to chill and almost reflect on what they’ve just witnessed.

Asa Taccone and co. make surprisingly versatile music that still manages to remain uniquely their own. With influences from the Motown era, dance and heavy pop leanings, this is an act that definitely brings a feeling of summer with them to their show. Electric Guest is the perfect act for any season and is the best kind of sensual, seductive baby making music.

Tagged Asa Taccone, Danger Mouse, Electric Guest, Motown, Oxofrd Art Factory, YesYou