Project Description
TOUCH SENSITIVE
@ Jack Rabbit Slim’s, Perth WA
22/12/17
(Live Review)
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If you headed to Slim’s on Friday night you were on a good wicket to kick off the Christmas weekend, with the venue having expanded onto the street for an enclosed outdoor Christmas party including a silent disco, and one of the best producers in Australia set to perform on stage inside.
Michael Di Francesco, aka Touch Sensitive really is the whole package, if that package were to contain everything that was indulgently best about 80s inspired electro-synth-pop. He’s created an image where one wonders whether his style of music has fuelled the image of silky tracksuits, turtlenecks and hi-tops or if it was the other way around. Either way it all cohesively works joining the ranks with other homage to the 80s acts like Client Liaison.
Francesco came out on stage to set up rather demurely double strapping with a backpack to kick off the night with First Slice (Intro), the first track from his 2017 debut album Visions. A rework and nod to his most well know track 2013’s Pizza Guy, which was played later on in the set. It gives you an indication how long Visions has been in the making, taking four years and no doubt countless tinkering and care before being released to positive critical reviews. Taking a look around the packed Slim’s it’s evidently a big hit with fans as well.
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That may be from Di Francesco’s success at producing tracks that seem intent of making sure you move those hips. Prior to Francesco’s set, DJs Father Figures played a heavily laden disco and house set that certainly set the mood. It was fun hedonism with Earth, Wind & Fire and Madison Avenue getting an outing making it clear to all the aim was to celebrate . All-in-all the whole night felt like one big party and it would be hard to argue when you get to dance to Francesco’s Lose It All and No Other High.
Everyone indeed lapped it up and Francesco kept the set moving at a brisk pace with Veronica and his Rufus remix Sarah. Throughout the set the musician, producer and DJ moved between his laptop, synths and his bass coalescing a sonic soundscape reminiscent of the 1980s melodic synth-pop sound by groups like Art Of Noise. However because of his setup Di Francesco was confined to a small area that kept him behind a desk, and having seen him before it seemed a shame that this was the case.
Di Francesco as a performer is rather commanding as he moved his hands up and down his bass with ease whilst demonstrating some electric boogaloo type moves. Every now and then he happily interacted with those at the front and his whole vibe exudes front man. Hopefully on his next swing through Perth he’ll bring a band because adding that layer will really give Di Francesco an opportunity to really let out the lead as a performer. Final song Lay Down brought the party atmosphere to a crescendo, so much so that Di Francesco gave it another outing for his encore which seemed fine by everyone in the crowd. And if Di Francesco keeps producing works like Lay Down, one of this year’s most loved club hits, then the future looks very exciting for his new work.
3 stars ***
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