Live Review: NO ZU, Holy Balm, Simona Castricum

Simona Castricum stands tall, striking a drum machine with fluoro drumsticks while singing into a headset microphone. Castricum's fusion of '80s electronica meets New Order-esque dance-pop opens proceedings before Sydney trio Holy Balm veer towards '90s rave culture. Emma Ramsay's dancing may be awkward, but her compelling vocals suit the synth-driven compositions created by the band members flanking her. The growing audience sways along to the melodic beat.

NO ZU are a torrent of energy and good vibes that have the sold out venue under their spell from the get-go. This multi-talented collection of artists comprises synths, bass, drums, percussion, a brass section and three vocalists (one male, two female), while NO ZU's sound channels a plethora of genres such as psychedelia, funk, electronica, world, soul and pop. The band label themselves "heat beat", but a better analogy is 'if Phenomenal Handclap Band took acid with The Flaming Lips and Afrika Bambaataa.

Seeing this ensemble live for the first time is both a highly visual and aural experience. While there's no backdrop, the stage is filled with a myriad of instruments and multiple band members who form a semicircle around vocalists Daphne Camf and Becky Sui Zhen. The two dance wildly and seductively as Nicolaas Oogjes' talk-sing voice takes the lead and keeps the crowd pumped. There's so much happening onstage that it's hard to keep track. Percussionist Cayn Borthwick's long hair flays about as he dances to the rhythms while the small brass section flex their muscles and pose when not playing. Two performance artists dressed in black activewear appear throughout the night, executing choreographed movements that seem totally unrelated to the music, but are nevertheless intriguing.

The set is short at just five songs, but each extends into a chaotic jam of psychedelic soul and post-disco grooves that continue late into the night. Ui Yia Uia transforms from a creeping, off-kilter, zodiac-referencing tune into an upbeat celebration of synths and saxophone that's heavy on the cowbell. Spirit Beat features fast-paced percussion and a stimulating bass line to keep the good times flowing. NO ZU's final act is a near 20-minute freak-out as Oogjes throws flowers into the pulsating pit and crowdsurfs, much to the security's annoyance. NO ZU bring the evening to a euphoric and thunderous conclusion, the audience clapping and dancing along as they lose their shit one final time.