Confider create the kind of lovely synth-pop music that in the 80s and early 90s would have legendary pop producers Stock, Aitken & Waterman on the phone desperately trying to hook up a collaboration with Kylie Minogue.

But there’s no lycra or gold hotpants in sight at Revolver Upstairs, where Confider are launching their double A side, The Prefects/Shock to the System. Instead just four fine men dressed simply in black t-shirts, ready to bring the crowd some nicely crafted pop tunes. No gimmicks here.

Opening act, Super Magic Hats pump up proceedings with some impressive party beats, but the vibe dissipates after a bit of awkward messing about with technicalities from Confider, that see some of the mid-size crowd leave due to the lulling time lag. After a nervous start for the first few songs, the band relax and hit their stride and the remaining punters bop and toe-tap throughout the set.

Confider are usually just a duo, made up of lead singer Warwick Wilson and Dale McMahon on keys, but the addition of guitars and drums gives more depth and produces a better live show. There are some nice three-part harmonies, some pretty neat rhythm/method drumming and a guitar solo midway through that has everyone clapping, cheering and dancing.

Wilson has a gorgeous voice when he isn’t afraid to belt it out. Who knew a dance cover version of Gun N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (sung in falsetto of course) could sound so good?

Confider cap off the evening with the two singles and everyone bops that little bit harder. A gentleman in a bowler cap and waistcoat cuts loose on the dancefloor with some rather impressive Michael Jackson inspired moves.

In “The Prefect” Wilson sings, “Playing hide and seek without a light/I’m here waiting for a story/Can you tell us that it all works out”  lamenting on the irony of misspent youth and adult cynicism.

The breezy electro of Confider – comparable to a more chilled Cut Copy or Van She – will only get better as they become more comfortable performing live. It is great to see a band on stage actually smiling. Be morose at home, but don’t bring it to the stage; music is meant to make us happy, and Confider are such good sports that everyone in the room smiles with them, even during some of the weaker songs.

Those grins are bound to get wider if a certain someone in hotpants takes to the stage at their next show.

– Kristy Sullivan

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