Party & Bullshit
Words by Abbey Steanes Photos by December 10, 2016

Walking into Qudos Credit Arena, it’s clear that Flume has long surpassed his reputation as a dance festival favourite for the denim underpants and slinky singlet crowd.

The ages of the audience are diverse and further proof of how this Northern Beaches producer has captured the hearts of our country, and changed the way we think about Australian electronica forever. He’s gone from Sydney club favourite to stadium headliner, from the opening slot at Splendour In The Grass to closing the amphitheatre, and he’s released two commendable albums in the process.

The size of tonight’s show is indicative of his popularity – a colossal production filled with seizure-inducing lighting and lasers stretching from the floor to the ceiling. When he opens with the patient synths of ‘Helix’ the crowd is already up in arms – and scream even louder when he dives into a trio of seasoned anthems – his remix of Ta-ku’s ‘Higher’ plus debut album bangers ‘On Top’ and ‘Holdin On’.

Even the more abstract sections of his set like ‘Wall Fuck’ have the crowd dancing to the brash glitchiness, and display something more left-field than his proven pop prowess. Still, it’s those sing-a-long anthems which earn the biggest response – it’s no surprise that ‘Never Be Like You’ and ‘Say It’ are pure elation.

Vince Staples and Kucka make several appearances onstage for ‘Smoke & Retribution’ as well as their recent ‘Like A Version’ performance of ‘My Boo’, adding a welcome live element to the stage on top of Flume’s action on the beat pad and drum work.

Flume’s headline show was miles above his previous headline tour in its size and more seamlessly enjoyable nature, and it’s no surprise that he’s continued to turn global ears Down Under long after our latest dance explosion.

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