LIVE REVIEW: RÜFÜS DU SOL give their all at third and final WA show
Packed to the brim on Sunday night was Fremantle Arts Centre, where hundreds flooded in early to get their dose of RÜFÜS DU SOL on their fully sold-out Solace tour. It’s been a hot minute since the trio have toured around the country, especially with their global acclaim taking them to shows around the world — but RÜFÜS DU SOL were no less than excited to play their third and last show in WA.
Luckily for us, RÜFÜS DU SOL didn’t just bring along one amazing support act, but two. The alluring vocals of Amy Dowdle and lush electronica from Lastlings were the perfect backdrop as the hot evening sun came to rest — while Cassian delivered his refreshing electronic sounds soon thereafter. With whispers of him being unable to play at Margaret River due to the heavy rain the day before, the Sydneysider came supercharged and ready to get the people of Freo dancing. While his initial tracks shared a similar electronic style to that of RÜFÜS DU SOL, the onset of ‘Know U Well’ quickly cemented Cassian as one to watch. Many piled into the standing area, with drinks in hand, as a beautiful remix of Hayden James’ ‘Just Friends’ drifted up and into the entirety of the space.
Preceded by an intense build-up, RÜFÜS DU SOL made their way onto three separate platforms on stage where their instruments lay. By then, the stars had too emerged above us. With Tyrone Lindqvist on vocals, James Hunt on drums and Jon George on a very impressive-looking mirrored keyboard, the trio opened with ‘Eyes’ and ‘Like An Animal’. In fact, RÜFÜS DU SOL came armed with arguably the best songs off their newest record, Solace — which was written in (and had taken inspiration from) LA.
As dry as the landscapes of California are, RÜFÜS DU SOL’s set was much otherwise. Next up live from their 2016 album Bloom was ‘Brighter’, egged on by the enthusiastic clapping of the crowd. Of course, triple j Hottest 100 favourites such as ‘Underwater’ and ‘Treat You Better’ were well-received by all, with an equally frenetic light show.
Despite all the energy, the surprising transitions (or lack thereof) meant many quiet pauses between songs. In a way, this gave the audience a chance to cool down before the next banger was to be launched. ‘Say A Prayer for Me’ caught glimpses of Hunt’s remarkable drumming, one of the many live elements to enjoy about this soulful electronic show. Leaving the best for last, the trio finished with ‘You Were Right’ and ‘Innerbloom’, a cathartic selection for all old and new RÜFÜS DU SOL lovers.
As a good old encore would have it, ‘Lost In My Mind’ and ‘No Place’ brought on a second round of waves, with punters jumping up and down and savouring the show’s last few moments. As the voices of many echoed, “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
