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Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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SYNTHONY
+ Mobin Master + Andy Van
@ RAC Arena, Perth,
17th June 2022
(Live Review)

Review by Melanie Grifiths

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Emily Williams // Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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After receiving a glowing reception last year the juggernaut that is Synthony made good on its promise and returned to Perth to put on another show cementing its reputation as one of the most fun celebrations of electronic music.

Synthony is the big and brash immersive experience that goes full throttle from the very first note. Consisting of a 60-piece orchestra, a laser and visual show that would give Creamfields a run for its money and a setlist featuring the most iconic dance songs, Synthony is all about excess served with high-quality elements.

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Andy Van // Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Mobin Master // Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena,

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Those streaming into the RAC Arena on a blustery Friday night were millennials and Gen X’s whose lives had probably moved on from obsessing over the new Ministry Of Sound annual to mortgages and rate rises. There was certainly a heightened sense of excitement in the crowd even as the DJs began their sets. Andy Van from Madison Avenue and Aria nominated Mobin Master served up a refined set of tunes that had people forget about their seats to dance in the aisles.

The vibe was crackling as the Perth Symphony Orchestra came out to take their place accompanied by the conductor Sarah-Grace Williams and DJ/host Matt Hale. This is not your usual stiff orchestra, instead the players attack the music with as much gusto as Williams who kept herself light on her feet as she conducted. You couldn’t fault the energy that was being shown by every participant on stage as they played classic tracks like “The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall Into My Mind)” by The Bucketheads and “Destination Calabria” by Alex Gaudino & Crystal Waters. Close your eyes and you could almost feel yourself back at Stereosonic.

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Cassie McIvor // Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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The accompanying light and visual show embraced high production values drenching the arena in rich neon greens, blues and blood reds before a pulsating laser sequence hypnotised the audience especially well-executed for “Café Del Mar – three ‘n O” by Energy 52 and Robert Mile’s “Children”.

Despite the lovefest that was occurring, it became increasingly noticeable that the orchestra was often swamped by the backing tracks to the point it was hard to even recognise the orchestral arrangements at all. In general, it sounded like the mix was not doing the orchestra any favours making them a secondary player on stage. When they did get a chance to flex they excelled at elevating the songs with arrangements that sounded glorious. Eric Prydz’s “Pjanoo”, Fat Boy Slim’s “Right Here, Right Now” and Tiesto’s “Adagio For Strings” popped off to a roaring crowd and were solid examples of how good the Synthony concept could be but at other times it sounded like a DJ set.

Joining the orchestra throughout the night were several powerhouse guests. Emily Williams was a strong vision in white singing Robin S’ “Show Me Love”. Cassie McIvor glittered like a mirror ball through Daft Punk’s “One More Time” and the guys also rose to the challenge. Chris Murphy came out strong with The Potbelleez’s “Don’t Hold Back” and Savage ripped it up with “Freaks”. Their inclusion in the show captured the audience’s attention and gave the concert a vital organic live sound.

Of course, the night wouldn’t be done without Darude’s “Sandstorm” and given the rousing hollers and applause, once everyone took a bow on stage, Synthony had once again come out on top. A truly hedonistic, indulgent night of nostalgia and memories reminding us of a less complicated time. Synthony is onto a winner here and is likely to create a following of Synthphiles who’ll dance away their everyday troubles if only for a few hours.

4/5 stars

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Emily Williams // Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Savage // Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Cassie McIvor // Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Check Out Adrian Thomson’s gallery of this event HERE

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Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Follow SYNTHONY
Website – Facebook 

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Sarah Grace-Williams // Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Chris Murphy // Photo – @_awii_ // RAC Arena, 17/06/2022

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Press Release 17th March 2022 (below) HERE

SYNTHONY
Returns to celebrate 
global dance hits with
full orchestras,
guest vocalists & DJs

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Synthony
2022 dates

SAT 28 MAY
RIVERSTAGE BRISBANE
with BRISBANE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
18+ (SYNTHONY No.2)
Tickets | 1300 446 925 | All Ticketmaster Outlets

FRI 17 JUN
RAC ARENA
WITH PERTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
PERTH | 18+ (SYNTHONY No.2)
Tickets | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets 

FRI 24 JUN
WIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
WITH THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA
WOLLONGONG | 18+
Tickets | 1300 446 925 | All Ticketmaster Outlets 

FRI 22 JUL
NEWCASTLE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
WITH THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA
NEWCASTLE | 18+
Tickets | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets

FRI 5 AUG
ADELAIDE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
WITH SOUTHERN CROSS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
ADELAIDE | 18+
Tickets | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets 

SAT 29 OCT
COCKATOO ISLAND
WITH THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA
SYDNEY | 18+ (SYNTHONY No.2)
Tickets | 1300 446 925 | All Ticketmaster Outlets

SAT 19 NOV
WREST POINT LAWNS
WITH TASMANIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
HOBART | 18+
Tickets | 132 849 | All Ticketek Outlets

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AMNPLIFY – DB