The last time Australian EDM darling Flume graced Brisbane with a headline set was in 2016, then touring his album 'Skin'.
Fast forward six years, and Sydney native Harley Streten aka Flume returned to The Riverstage (16 November) with another award-winning album under his belt (and a flurry of acclaimed companion EPs and mixes) for the 'Palaces' tour.Not one to travel alone, 2016 saw Flume bring on the road with the late SOPHIE and Vince Staples as supports. Not ruining a good thing, this time Harley brought along American creative legend Toro y Moi and rapper-producer Channel Tres, as well Australian artists Kučka, MAY-A and Meanjin local Sycco, who joined Flume onstage for the main show.
Kicking off at the still sunny 6pm was Toro y Moi. Having played a sideshow the previous night, the chill-wave legend was comfortable and cool, feeling the music and dancing around the stage.
Those in the crowd who came down early came to appreciate the groovy, more laid-back music.
Mixing in a little funk as the set drew closer to its end, those in the crowd would have recognised the track 'Ordinary Pleasure', featured on one of Grand Theft Auto 5's more popular radio stations.
Toro y Moi - image © Harrison Innes
As The Riverstage hill began to fill out with more punters, there was an air of anticipation for the arrival of Channel Tres. As a seemingly random chorus of happy birthday rang out from the crowd, three dancers approached and took formation, dressed in various white/ black business attire.
There was an excited roar from the crowd as the Compton local made his way to the microphone in a blue sparkly top with matching blue gloves.
Channel Tres didn't come to play around, bringing a fully choreographed performance for his whole show. The moves were on-point, the lighting mesmerising and the music was making everyone move.
His second song was the breakthrough track 'Controller' – I'm convinced if anyone wasn't enjoying his set by his first track, they were now. Provocative moves and some sultry singing had girls in the mosh howling and cheering.
Some fans might've missed the inclusion of cult faves such as 'Weedman' or 'Skate Depot', however it was impossible to feel disappointed with the show punters were given.
Channel Tres - image © Harrison Innes
With the sun well and truly down, the hype was now on for the main man himself. With the crowd still packing in, it was hard to navigate around without either stepping on someone's hands or toes.
As the lights went down and the crowd grew louder with excited cheers, Flume sprung up to his MIDI instrument-filled station. Taking a long look at the thousands in front of him and showing off a quick smile, Harley began to bring in a drum & bass remix of his classic 'Holding On', warranting a huge chorus of singing from the crowd.
One difference in Flume's set in 2022 compared to 2016 is that the producer no longer uses CDJ decks to mix his songs, rather using a plethora of electronic drum machines and synths to essentially play and create his set live – keen fans of Harley would have noticed the inclusion of the roli blocks/ keys now in his arsenal.
Flume - image © Harrison Innes
Flume looked right at home between the two pillars, moving between them seamlessly and occasionally taking time to talk to the crowd or orchestrating the crowd with raised hands.
Continuing with another throwback to his 2013 'Lockjaw' EP in collaboration with Chet Faker, tracks were mixed and mashed, soon turning into Hottest 100 charting track 'The Difference', which had Toro y Moi jumping on stage to provide live vocals for the track.
"Brisbane we're going to take it back to the first record!" With the ending of classic crowd-moving track 'Insane', fans started to see the other huge difference from six years ago, the huge moving archway set-piece.
Flume - image © Harrison Innes
In theme with the motifs of the 'Palaces' album, the huge archway featured lights on the inside and were able to be split into four different pieces, giving the show a constantly changing backdrop tying in seamlessly with the mindbending and ever-changing visuals by award-winning Jonathan Zawada, an aesthetic now essential to a Flume set.
A lot has changed since 2016's show, including the loss of longtime friend and collaborator of Flume, SOPHIE. The title track of 'Palaces' became a touching moment to honour the loss of the Scottish producer (who died last year after a fall from a three-storey building in Athens) and echoed through Harley’s words: "If you didn't know SOPHIE, they were one of the greats."
Flume - image © Harrison Innes
With a decade-long discography to pull from during the hour and a half set, Flume made an incredible effort to touch on everything from crowd faves, commercially successful hits and lesser known experimental bangers.
The beauty of using his new, more flexible setup was that Harley provided each track with its own little remix creating some really special moments for everyone.
My personal favourite moment included the mix of tracks 'Mud', 'High Beams' and 'Wall F...', as well as getting to hear 'Smoke And Retribution' and 'Helix' played in full.
"I'd like to thank Toro y Moi, Channel Tres, my Mum and my Dad, and all you motherf...ers," shared Harley.
Flume - image © Harrison Innes
Flume's definitely not one to let talent go to waste, making sure to bring in live vocals at every chance. The show saw the classic and irreplaceable live performance of Kučka popping up for four songs, bringing her unique voice and energy to tracks like 'Escape' and 'Hyperreal'.
MAY-A, a newcomer to Flume's live show, made her debut bold and known, bringing her dance moves and energy into and around the front row of the crowd during 'Say Nothing' and anthem 'Never Be Like You'.
Brisbane was also treated to their own export Sycco, bringing it home on the latest collaboration between the two and producer Chrome Sparks, 'Ripple'.
"Gonna take it back, back, back, BACK, back, back to day one," stated Flume. It's hard not to feel good at a Flume show. You're in a crowd of likeminded people, clapping and dancing to every song, regardless whether it's old or brand new.
Flume - image © Harrison Innes
Fans that were living for the old days were treated to tracks like 'Sleepless', 'On Top' and even Flume's remix of 'Tennis Court' by Lorde.
While newer fans were given moments like the soaring track 'Sirens' and the hard hitting and abrasive sounds of 'Get U'; a prelude to Flume's latest release, next was a track from 2012 celebrating the ten-year anniversary of his debut album – 'Slugger'.
Flume then finished off the night with hit track 'Rushing Back'; it was an epic send-off with Vera Blue's vocals echoing and bouncing around the amphitheatre.
More photos from the show.
