Live Review: Walk The Moon, The Griswolds

27 January 2016 | 3:35 pm | Adrienne Downes

"The wildlife of homo sapiens below Pride Rock were swaying, squawking, twirling and thrusting amidst their fantasy of a dancefloor romance."

The music of Walk The Moon is like fairy floss: sweet, colourful, with elements of crisp, but generally a soft essence of joy. Colour was a perfect fit for the mint green Astor Theatre, frolicking with teenyboppers ready to squeal, jump and jig to the conformity of pop arias.

NSW indie rock four piece The Griswolds are fun. Fun however, in musical respects, isn't always the most respectful of terms. Frontman Christopher Whitehall is unexpected (with a surfer buff physique) but unleashes this twang vocal which doesn't always meet par. Credit is due to zinger songs Beware The Dog and Heart Of A Lion, both commendable.

Peacocking would have to be one of Walk The Moon's favourite things to do. (Haven't heard of the term peacocking? Why don't you Urban Dictionary it.) Their triumphant entry onto the stage with The Lion King's anthem Circle Of Life gave a reason for the crowd to roar. With warpaint splashed across their faces they were ready to battle their way into the hearts and toe-tapping feet of every punter in the theatre.

The band from Ohio has an intriguing frontman, Nicholas Petricca. Dressed in a silk, blue and pink jacket garnished with matching hair, he is infectious in the way he grinds his body to the soul of the song while harnessing his synthesiser and belting sweet melodies. Opening with Jenny and prancing their way through Sidekick, Different Colors and Tightrope it was an artform of musical delight.

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Hailing tribute to the great musical legend David Bowie, they offered up a mean rendition of Let's Dance. Fierce in form, guitarist Eli Maiman preyed on his green Fender and thundered out a mighty solo worthy of our lost Labyrinth leader.

Toward the peak of the quest released the best ditties of the bands nature; I Can Lift A Car and their biggest hit single to date, Shut Up And Dance. The wildlife of homo sapiens below Pride Rock were swaying, squawking, twirling and thrusting amidst their fantasy of a dance floor romance. After a close to Oscar-worthy thank you speech, Anna Sun was their encore.