Live Review: Gold Fields, KLP, Problems

Jive felt strangely cold and empty for a Friday night. Punters slowly trickled in but failed to fill the small venue for Gold Fields and KLP’s co-headlining tour. Playing their first live shows in almost two years, the Ballarat five-piece are still perfectly in synch and delivered a night of hypnotic electro-pop. 

Local duo Problems opened to only a handful of people with their down-tempo pop. Deep bass and reverb-heavy vocals filled the room as the singer swayed from side to side. Not even technical difficulties could deter the pair as a bunched-up jacket helped to prop up their laptop.

KLP can do it all. When Kristy Lee Peters isn’t hosting triple j’s House Party or DJing, she’s honing her live act. Bringing her electro-pop to Adelaide for the first time, KLP was in her element with drummer Tim Commandeur and backup vocalist Lana Rita. Dressed in all white and black leather, the trio tried to coax the crowd with their synchronised dancing and catchy beats. She even rapped as replacement for Remi on a new track but despite her abundance of energy the crowd was too shy to move. Final track, Air showcased her impressive vocal range that we’ll definitely be hearing more of.

Chanting and feisty drumming manifested as Gold Fields took to the stage, building tension before KLP made a re-appearance. She added her dreamy vocals on new track, Make Me Feel, but the crowd only started to dance when older releases such as Treehouse and Dark Again were played. Gold Fields are experts at creating lush, hypnotising soundscapes that then burst into grooving beats. These interludes were more than a sonic experience; you could literally feel the sound pulsing through, not always going where you imagined.  

Usually the singer is expected to lead the band but Gold Fields have such amazing synergy that the absence of a designated frontman is refreshing. The fuzzy guitar effects, impassioned drumming and sparkling synths are bound magically together. Their set came to an end after less than 45 minutes, just as the crowd was starting to let go with some booty slapping, but the band left with the promise of new music. Despite the dismal turnout, Gold Fields and KLP filled the dark bar with sunshine-kissed tunes that could warm even the coldest of hearts.