TIVOLI IN THE ROUND

Being hump-day Wednesday, I was a little worried when NO MONO’S support act Anatole started so gently, making me feel like I needed to be face down on a massage table somewhere smelling essential oils or doing some down dog yoga poses in the rainforest.

But the build came to pep me up (or maybe it was the Espresso Martini) and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed his layered, complex and intricate, pop electronica.

Great opener. Now onto NO MONO!

After their hauntingly beautiful collaboration via #1 Dads, the combining of the two Toms in NO MONO is a match made in heaven, so I was very excited to see them perform last night, and they did not disappoint.

Loved the Tivoli ‘in the round’ stage which allowed you to get up close and personal from all angles for a unique, immersive experience.

Tom Snowdon’s distinctive, sensual voice paired with Tom Iansek’s organic arrangements, contortionist melodies and intense beats with just the right amount of mountainous build commanded the attention of the crowd from the first song.

Their minimalist, ambient, yet striking sound, combined with Snowdon’s quirky, interpretive dancing had me mesmerised throughout the entire gig, which seemed to be over way too quickly.

Their encore cover of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game was stunningly beautiful, then to finish with #1 Dads’ Return To was the icing on the cake for me.

Absolutely loved it.

This is one band that needs to be experienced live to be really appreciated and I’m very grateful to have done so at their last performance together, so thank you Brisbane Festival.