Live Review: The Internet bring charisma in spades to huge Melbourne show at The Forum

Returning to Australia to add their charismatic funk to this year’s Laneway line-up, LA-based collective, The Internet, has gifted us with two sideshows as part of The Internet Presents The Internet Tour. They kicked things off at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre, delivering a set that uncontrollably moved your hips, re-emphasising that their love affair with Australia is not over. It’s only just begun to blossom.

Opening with a track from Ego Death, the crowd professed their love for an album that, although released in 2015, feels like it only came out yesterday. It was clear that Ego Death was the reason most people were here and The Internet did not shy away from that, peppering it’s most popular tracks throughout the set.

But the tour promised a difference and it did not disappoint, offering a string of mini sideshows within a sideshow. Since their last visit to Australia, most of the band members have been working on solo projects and they used the tour as a way to highlight just how strong they are as individual artists, as well as collectively.

The Internet

First up was the 19 year old baby of the group, Steve Lacy. “Melbourne, can we dance together?” Lacy asked the audience, before kicking off with, “Some”. Releasing a debut EP last year named, Steve Lacy’s Demo, Lacy made a serious impression (most of the record was produced on his iPhone). Spreading that California funk and soul like wildfire, he dipped into “Ryd” before finishing off with “Dark Red”. Although a bit untidy at times, Lacy brought the energy and proved to have a lot of potential (keep an eye on this guy). If you haven’t already I’d highly recommend checking out his demo.

Before getting too lost in Lacy’s groove train, the band roped us all back in with everyone’s favourite, “Special Affair”. With such a sensually powerful song like this, and a bass line that turns me into a puddle, I’d like to see you try and not get down on the dancefloor. But, just in case you were having trouble, the band killed it at hyping up the the crowd, constantly encouraging everyone to move and sing.

It was then Matt Martians‘ time to shine, showcasing tracks from his album, The Drum Chord Theory. A producer and multi-instrumentalist, Martian steps out from behind the music to the foreground and drops a deep and hazy R&B sound. “Down” and “Where Are Yo Friends?” were perfect examples of this. Bass player Patrick Page gave us a taste of his up and coming album, due to be released in April, and drummer Christopher Allan Smith gave a reviving drum solo that vibrated through the theatre.

The Internet

The band then came back together for “Just Sayin” and “Girl”,  which saw everyone screaming along. “Ok, ok, it’s my turn,” finally said lead singer Syd. Whilst the others showed that they clearly each have their own stand out skills, there’s just something about Syd. She has this way of taking over the show, without even trying. With her full-length album, Fin, released last year and surprise three-track EP, Always Never Home, she’s given us many reasons to love her. “Body” and “Insecurities” proved just that, and it still blows my mind just how delicate and soothing her voice is.

The deglaciation of music nicely came to a close with the band coming together to play “Getaway”, which literally left the crowd begging for more. They were left begging, with no encore in sight.

Born out of a side hustle for the unruly American hip-hip collective Odd Future, The Internet have taken on a whole life of their own and I hope to God they bring out a new album soon. In the meantime, the little side hustles spawning from the original side hustle, will fill your appetite just fine and boy, is there selection to choose from!

Photos by Juan Castro.

The reviewer attended this show on January 31st.

The Internet are playing Laneway Festival in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle this February. They will also be playing another side show at Enmore Theatre in Sydney on February 9th.

 

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