The People's Party Live in Hong Kong
Communism of a musical kind has been circulating in Hong Kong for a while, urging people to join the party at KITEC on the 10th January: TPP sky blue cargo truck has been roaming the streets of Hong Kong for months; flyers have been pasted here and there; their intimate stage at Clockenflap was packed. Not that they needed the promotion – they’ve been one of the driving forces in local music since their inaugural 2009 show featuring José González. But this was The People’s Party on a different scale – a four-band mini-festival that signalled TPP’s new ambitions as a pan-Asian touring festival.
This fest, taking in Hong Kong, Taipei, Jakarta and two days in Singapore, kicked off at KITEC. First up were 9 Maps, a local band who have brought been leaders in Hong Kong folk. Sydney-bred The Jezabels rocked up next, their set lighting up the dome room with Hayley Mary’s
hauntingly intense vocals. The crowds began to migrate towards the very edge of the stage prior to the next set: Kiwi quintent The Naked and Famous. A sprightly Thom Powers fronted the band with Alisa Xayalith, who pumped out hugely popular hits such as Punching in a Dream and
Young Blood from between the gaps in her thick hair. The energy radiating from the stage was infectious – teeny boppers and normal people alike began to bounce and headbang along to their thrillingly loud songs.
Four portrait canvas paintings were rolled out from the ceiling in anticipation of Metronomy’s arrival. “It’s our first time playing in a shopping mall,” singer Joe Mount said in half-serious wonder. “So...we hope you like our products...and that you’ll come to our shop again!” Material
from their earlier albums resonated with the crowds well, whereas unfortunately songs from The English Riviera (nevertheless a great album to listen to at home) were a little deflating after having been built up by climatic electro-pop classics from Nights Out, although it was rather
made up by Oscar Cash’s finger-pointing, robotic dancing and the hypnotic synchronised lights attached to team Metronomy.
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