LIVE REVIEW: POLOSHIRT unleash their unique electro-pop
Playing their fourth show on tour last Friday at the beloved Jack Rabbit Slim's was none other than POLOSHIRT — AKA the combined talents of Polographia and Winston Surfshirt. Having gained momentum in the indie/electronic scene in recent years, it's safe to say that both artists are now accustomed to playing at sold-out shows across the nation. Of course, this night was no exception.
It was only fitting for the boys to embark on a national tour before their due appearance at Listen Out 2018. Sydney-based producer MUTO was the perfect accompaniment to open the show.
Decked out in an all-white ensemble, MUTO looked every part of a saint as he prepared for his set. To everyone's dismay, his circular set-up (which promised stellar visual effects) had sadly malfunctioned. After many apologies, the electronic artist finally managed to get it working halfway through. To fans, this had been the least of their worries.
Alike a 2000s Microsoft Windows start-up, it was a justified and easygoing wait that did little to infringe on anyone's mood. MUTO's smooth transitions and flawless triple j hits were more than enough to carry everyone into the night. 'Say Nothing' and 'Tessellating' were absolute godsends.
Once POLOSHIRT (Polographia + Winston Surfshirt) took centre stage, the dynamic of the audience shifted immediately. The calm and considerate crowd soon became pushy, sweaty and hungry. Literally. Kudos to the girl in the front row who strategically stashed her trail mix on-stage.
Whilst more people might have turned up for Winston, the insanely skilled instrumental of Polographia did not go unnoticed. Having first collaborated in 2016 for breakthrough track 'Sly', it was heartwarming to witness the boys all come together to fuse their talents. With flawless drumming, retro synths, and a tasteful hint of cowbell, Polographia created the perfect electronic rhythms for Winston to chime into.
The boys had a couple of covers up their sleeve, with Kaytranada’s ‘Got It Good’ making a surprising but pleasant appearance. It was nostalgia at its best with debut originals such 'Pinned Upon' and 'Too Good To Be True' lighting up the night.
While Winston himself is definitely a natural performer, his signature inaudibility could've easily been mistaken in this case for sloppiness. This compromised what would've otherwise been a five-star performance on his part. Having been his third feature at Jack Rabbit Slim's, one would come to expect more of the all-mighty artist. In saying that, this comes from someone who has witnessed Winston at every one of his Perth shows.
Winston stepped up the game, however, by taking on Cypress Hill’s ‘Insane In The Membrane’ which was much more suited to his raspy vocal style. Naturally, Polographia made the cover their own and continued playing their dreamy tunes to finish off the gig.
For those who didn't catch POLOSHIRT while they were in town, do not fear; you'll be able to find them at Listen Out 2018 this September, delivering their heavenly sounds.
