Live Review: Winston Surfshirt, The Goods, Bustlip

Bustlip appeared amid flashing lights and a near-empty room — a normal sight to see on a Saturday night around 8.30pm, with many still dining and drinking in the bars, pubs and restaurants along King Street. Winston Surfshirt's beatmaker Jack Hambling, under his solo project, created atmospheric beats and sampled a diverse range of musical genres that made us inch towards the stage.

The Goods introduced a strange performance characterised by uncannily overdone theatrics, synthesising late '80s/early '90s R&B with electronic melodies. The two-piece's flow seemed interrupted by their guest singer, who was clad in a denim vest. The set had elements of kitsch and a sound that, because of the PA, wasn't quite right.

Winston Surfshirt filled Newtown Social Club, heightening the sultry mood with oh-so-smooth R&B-tinged tunes. The dancefloor was thick with sweat and a somewhat sombre, static crowd watched on while a few couples and groups freed their minds, their asses following quickly behind.

Silkier tunes like Got The Party kept the vibe indefatigably chill while crowd-favourite covers of Missy Elliott's Work It and Ol' Dirty Bastard's Shimmy Shimmy Ya enlivened the audience. Although the band's signature must be their incredible renditions of '90s hip hop and R&B numbers, it was their own two singles that made the audience members jump out of their skins: the dreamy collaboration with Polographia, Sly, and the burgeoning success of Be About You.