Live Review: Client Liaison at The Tivoli

“Brisbane!” Client Liaison vocalist Monty Morgan, dressed in a white suit jacket that beams under spotlights, bellows. “Welcome to the final show of our tour!” 

iThe Melbourne band does not disappoint, displaying choreographed dances in a true Michael Jackson fashion. They shine in their reflective silver suits, blissful and confident with over-the-top, theatrical displays of talent. Monty, Harvey Miller and the band are a disco ball of energy. Their performance is brought together by an impeccable aptitude for keys, stage presence, guitar and an occasional saxophone solo. They make it look easy, supplying immense energy and fuelling the crowd’s excitement to dance. The experience is best described as a visual version of pressing play on Spotify.
 
The band are positioned in front of a projector which mystifies the experience, motivating the crowd with occasionally creepy yet always engaging images. Despite the eye-catching backdrop, the performance is still the main attraction, with the band indulging in comedic skits that are common at a regular house-party that’s gone far too late. Costume changes between songs like create an appropriate sense of theatre. Seeing them it’s clear that the band are having as much fun as the crowd, maybe more.
 
Monty’s voice is a consistent thrill. It excites the crowd to move. Taking this as an opportunity to display their disco sides, patrons groove in glittered accessories and pin-striped bootleg pants. They are mystified by ‘Pretty Lovers’, an older tune in Client Liaison’s collection but one which is still full of exhilaration.
 
Without fail Client Liaison always perform a cover. Tonight, it’s Madison Avenue’s ‘Don’t Call Me Baby’ and it provides the opportunity for a couple of hundred people to play karaoke. The band add an electronic, indie-pop vibe to the classic tune, morphing it into an absolute party banger.
 
Full of exhilaration, the crowd roar and bloom, absorbing fully the eccentric theme of Client Liaison’s set. The performance leaves people feeling connected, they depart the venue with good vibes that waft into dramatic retellings of the event that has just taken place. Tonight, Client Liaison branched out and brought people together. They made them feel alive and stimulated (if just for an hour).

Words by Harvey Jean
Photo by Zoe Hilditch