Live Review: The Presets, Beni

A lucky select few fans and media were given the opportunity to attend a secret gig for The Presets at The Hi-Fi to hear the very first outing of their new album, Pacifica, as well as experience their first live gig in approximately 18 months.

The crowd filled quickly as DJ Beni warmed them up with a mixture of house and electronica that got everyone bopping away. Then, in a flurry of blue and gold lighting and some bone-rattling bass, The Presets took to the stage. Singer Julian Hamilton embraced a slightly smarter look in a suit jacket and jeans, while partner Kim Moyes stuck to more club-like attire.

Without hesitation they hurtled into Kicking And Screaming with an impressively big sound and equally impressive light show. Halfway through the track, Moyes picked up his sticks and clambered up to the drumkit to finish off the number with a fuller, live sound. A harder, more electro version of Talk Like That followed before new tracks Fall and Ghosts got their first live outing. The crowd seemed to really embrace the new numbers, singing along to the lyrics and dancing around to every one as if they'd known them for years. Classic This Boy's In Love was given a pared back twist before the original version crashed back in after the first chorus to much delight of everyone.

The more dancey numbers sounded fantastic in the venue with some seriously big bass on the drop and lots of hands in the air for the builds, particularly for new tracks Youth In Trouble and A.O., plus massive hit Are You The One?

My People was the obvious choice to finish off the set and saw a more relaxed Hamilton really get into it for the first time, taking off his jacket and walking up and down the stage like he owned it. After what seemed like only a minute, the band were back on stage for an encore of new tracks Promises and Push to finish off a very successful and long awaited hometown gig.