Live Review: LIVE REVIEW: Gold Panda @ Alhambra Lounge

Alhambra Lounge is one of the more popular live music venues in Brisbane, and on a regular Friday or Saturday night you'll have energetic punters bouncing off the walls – but not tonight. Tonight everyone chilling, enjoying the electronic vibes that are pulsing through the club.

Tonight’s guest is Essex native and electronic musician GOLD PANDA. He was going to play in Brisbane last year but as the opener OUTERWAVES informed the crowd, the horrid flooding drove him away. Thankfully he has returned to play tonight.

He gets a warm welcome. The bass suddenly pumps through the speakers, and we are taken deep into the electronic world of GOLD PANDA. His first song takes its time, easing in slowing with deep synths and a heavy bass. Attendees sway as the song chugs along, and it seems he will play a cruisey set tonight. We are all perfectly okay with that.

The heavy bass has suddenly been replaced with fast paced samples and hyperactive synths. The set is getting into full swing as everyone begins to move, and GOLD PANDA himself bobs his head so much it looks as if it might come loose.

A tiny pause between songs two and three and soon we hear keyboard and quiet synth signal GOLD PANDA’s next offering. The track has beats flying left, right and centre with nothing really filling in the background just yet - until a small swivel, and everything is brought together for another great track. This particular one has made everyone in the crowd bounce, so all you see is a sea of bobbing heads underneath the Technicolor light.

Dancing in his hoodie and trackie pants, GOLD PANDA tweaks knobs and pushes buttons as the crowd dances, and he hasn't spoken a word so we sadly haven't yet heard that cute English accent. It's all about the music here at Alhambra tonight.

At times, you can see him playing his synths like a piano, touching each note with the tip of his fingers for a melody that tip-toes over the background music. A heavy beat soon takes over and we are left with a track that you can feel pumping in your chest. Some of the tracks may sound very similar to most people, but it's definitely the small changes in the music that make the songs unique.

You can dance to GOLD PANDA’s electronic masterpieces, or just stand and soak in the joyous synth. All in all, the show was perfect for a Sunday night in Brisbane.

Words by Lauren Payne

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