The Go! Team

Saturday, Hi:Fi South Live Arena

Before they had started The Go! Team had drawn a large crowd to the Hi:Fi South Live Arena for their hour long set. Lead singer Ninja comes on in cycling shorts and orange hoodie and moving like she’s out of control throwing herself into some amazing dancing and the synchronised double drum kits pound. ‘Get It Together’ has the drummer switch to bass and Kaori Tsuchida switch her keyboards for flute. Least I think that’s what happened because The Go! Team are so dynamic they all appear to switch musician roles behind the frontwoman. Kaori shows off her multi-talented skills by donning a guitar and still creating highly complex music.

After Ninja berates a crowd member for not looking after his girlfriend, an inflatable doll, which seems to amuse her so much she keeps mentioning it, we are treated to ‘The Wrath of Mikey’ before the crowd participation of ladies shouting “Go, Go, Go” and guys say “Team, Team, Team” and then to ‘Huddle Formation’ has us all chanting back, a top demonstration in how to work a crowd. The power pop and rock stylings combined with simple childlike musicality at times sure works for me.

We are treated to a song by Kaori stripped down and simple until it descends into feedback and a dance like a lunatic instrumental. ‘We Just Won’t Be Defeated’ has Ninja walk out hoodie up and stompin. “Everyone’s a VIP to Someone’ starts with a banjo and harmonica and the rain has stopped and everything feels good in the world. It’s dedicated to everyone with a someone even the guy with the inflatable doll.

‘Bottle Rocket’ has everyone throwing their best dancing shapes at Ninja’s request and a huge surging dance beat from the band. Time’s nearly up and the band thank us for coming to see them, and then smash ‘Ladyflash’ out into a happy audience.

A great hour of hi energy tunes and one of the highlights of the weekend.

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