Flume. Riverstage. 16.11.22
Strolling onto the stage and getting behind the decks to deliver a mash-up of Holding On and Drop the Game, Flume lit up Brisbane’s Riverstage to the delight of an ecstatic crowd dancing beneath the stars.
Harley Streten, aka Flume has been producing music for over a decade, and his progression as an artist is on full display during tonight’s performance. The set was a perfect mix of old fan favourites, and newer songs off his 2022 album, Palaces: including Sirens and Say Nothing.
The difference between the two eras of his music is stark, with his older material feeling lighter and happier, almost euphoric, and his newer sounds more heavy, and reliant on filthy basslines, crazy drums, and massive experimental synths. To his credit, Flume moves fluidly between the two styles – which culminates in a stellar live performance.
Flume started to gain popularity in 2012 with the release of Sleepless. At the time, EDM was widely considered to be only for select occasions – parties, and perhaps the gym. EDM wasn’t something most people would listen to while studying or hanging out with friends. But Flume offered something different. He stepped away from the ludicrous wobbles that smothered the bassline and the over-the-top screaming vocals. Instead, he embraced an almost atmospheric sound. His lyrics weren’t just another layer of chaos, they tied into his song’s flawlessly. And while this may seem as if he took the basic contents of traditional EDM and simplified it, it was so much more. But most importantly, Flume played a part in exposing EDM to the mainstream.
On stage, Flume focuses on the music, and keeps the patter to a minimum. Sure, he might crack the occasional joke, but the real artistry is how connected to his music he is. When performing, Flume bounces around, from turntable to turntable, delicately adjusting the volume, oddly reminiscent of your grandma sliding you a $2 coin to buy some lollies. However, his hands seem to be out of sync with the rest of his body. His head shakes erratically, and his feet shuffle on the floor like a shy kid meeting his teacher for the first time. His raw, joyful energy seems to seep out of his music, through the speakers and into the crowd.
Flume has dabbled in creating his own vocals, but it’s safe to say it may not be up to par with his instrumentals. As such, he is a collaborative artist, and his 32-piece set included performances by KUČKA and MAY-A. KUČKA features on ESCAPE, Smoke and Retribution, Hyperreal and Voices. Her voice sounds ethereal and futuristic, and compliments Flumes style effortlessly. MAY-A sings on Never Be Like You and Say Nothing, two of Flume’s biggest songs. The audience expected something special, and MAY-A delivered with a haunting performance.
The night rounded off with Helix, but the fans demanded more, and Flume obliged, racing back out to perform Get U, Slugger 1.4 and Rushing Back. The perfect end to a wonderful night, as the trippy, chopped melodies of Rushing Back enveloped the crowd with a sense of warmth and Vera Blue’s sweet vocals faded off into the humid Brissy night.
