Live Review: Boo Seeka, Genesis Owusus, Stoka

Hailing from Melbourne, genre-bending Stoka are a pleasant surprise. Frontman Az Stoka's warm vocals melt over the talented four-piece's mixture of dub beats, bluesy rock and soothing reggae. The trap-meets-blues single Come Alive is a clear standout.

Ghanaian-born, Canberra-based Genesis Owusu alternates between laid-back rhymes and frenetic bars over old-school instrumental beats. There's a bit of Denzel Curry about him as he drops tracks from his Cardrive EP alongside an unreleased track damming misogyny, and hypnotic new single Sideways.

Massive Attack's Angel blares through the sound system as the venue is plunged into darkness. As hazy, coloured lights and smoke fill the stage, Sydney duo Boo Seeka appear. The creative endeavour of close mates Ben Gumbleton (guitars and vocals) and Sam Croft (synths and percussion), Boo Seeka straddle the line of euphoric electro and soulful synth-pop with an hour-long set of dance-inducing tunes. Humans is a feel-good, fist-pumping arena rocker, Oh My is the best alt-J rip-off in years and fan-favourite Deception Bay is an absolute cracker of a track. The upbeat numbers dominate the early part of the performance before Boo Seeka delve into dreamy, electronic soundscapes such as the airy Fool and folktronica of Argo Misty.

Things hit a snag when Gumbleton breaks a guitar string and is forced to perform Brooklyn without his trusty axe for the first time. Gumbleton sits on the edge of the stage and serenades the pit as Croft stands up on his podium of synths and electronic drums, nodding his head and smiling as he surveys the masses jiving and dancing along. Boo Seeka's first-ever single Kingdom Leader gets a roar of approval before the duo up the ante with big dance numbers Calling Out, You And Me and electronic banger Gold Sail.

The inevitable encore begins with the searching Turn Up Your Light. Gumbleton gets the assist on the chorus from the vocal crowd before Mission Man has a group of bros flaying their arms and dancing erratically while their buddy leans against a wall, eyes closed and oblivious to what's going on. Does This Last rounds things out with Boo Seeka thanking Melbourne for their continued support and asking as many girls to get on guys' shoulders as possible. With over a dozen girls obliging and security looking tense, Boo Seeka bring things to a visually stunning climax.