Staged at Brisbane Showgrounds in front of 28,000 adoring fans, on Saturday night (26 November) Australian electronic champions Rufus Du Sol showcased why they're one of the biggest electronic acts in the world.
Arriving (fashionably) late (the new entrance threw me off and resulted in an extra 10-15 minute walk), there was still a steady stream of punters filing through the gates as Rufus opened their two-hour set with a reprised version of 'Surrender' single 'Make It Happen'.They quickly set the mood for the remainder of the evening with the chaotic dance-floor chugger 'Eyes', from their 2018 album 'Solace', the festival-ready crowd responding in kind with an energetic enthusiasm that wouldn't let up throughout their set.
The first mega hit of the night was dropped early when the sultry, disco-tinged 'You Were Right' arrived, the star-littered sky above the perfect backdrop to raise your arms and slinkily sway your hips, the cool breeze an added bonus.
Next was a duo of songs from Rufus' most recent studio album (the Grammy-nominated 'Surrender'), 'Devotion' and 'On My Knees'.
The former allowed the trio – Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt – to showcase the many textured layers of electronica they employ – from stabby synths and metallic rhythms to Tyrone's ethereal vocals.
While 'On My Knees' (nominated for Best Dance Recording at 2023 Grammy Awards) had the crowd cutting shapes (like Arnott's was going out of business), stomping up a storm with plenty of heads snapping backwards and forwards like it was a Metallica moshpit.
A trio of 'Bloom' tracks followed: 'Like An Animal', 'Brighter' and 'Be With You' that kept the crowd vibing while also showcasing the depth of Rufus Du Sol's back catalogue.
Taking it back almost a decade, the only song to be played from their 2013 debut album ('Atlas') 'Sundream' still conjures goosebump-inducing feels, its tropical piano-house melody perfecting suited for a 28,000-strong crowd sway-along.
The next portion of the show was dedicated to the 'Surrender' album led by the full version of 'Make It Happen', the accompanying laser show a treat for eyeballs as the flashing, manic beams of light seemed to be within touching distance.
'Surrender' offered a darker-edge to Rufus' sublime electronica while Tyrone promised to sing 'Next To Me' better than he did at his own wedding (cue the awwwwwwss); it's was also a cool site to witness an entire festival crowd light up with smartphones raised high filming the action.
Now in the heart of the set, Rufus used the opportunity to perform some of their lesser known numbers including 'New Sky' and 'Solace' from their 2018 album as well as 'See You Again' and 'I Don't Wanna Leave' from last year's 'Surrender'.
As the concert entered its final third, 'Solace' track 'Underwater' generated fresh energy while 'Always' maintained the sophisticated minimal tech house feels before Tyrone admitted he couldn't wait to hear 28,000 people sing the chorus to 'Alive' (which won the 2022 Grammy for 'Best Dance Recording').
It didn't disappoint either, as the crowd broke out into a unison of "at least I'm alive / at least I'm alive" while getting in plenty of steps once the Tron-flavoured melody dropped.
Their 2016 mega hit 'Innerbloom' ended an epic show before the obligatory encore bore witness to 'Solace' album tracks 'Treat You Better' and 'No Place'.
There aren't many Australian acts who can command such a devoted audience, the almost 30,000 people in attendance proof Rufus Du Sol are at the apex of the Australian music scene right now and building an even bigger fan base internationally.
