Animaux set to go

Long renowned as Australia's live music capital, Melbourne has been the nursery for some of our greatest talents and Fitzroy its epicentre. mojo discovered one young band who has not only captured the city's hip young hearts, but is ready to high kick it on to the world stage.

by TARA WHITSED

HITTING the midway point of their whopping two-month residency at the Evelyn Hotel, Animaux smashed out yet another night filled with funky, boppy tunes.

Favourites of the Fitzroy music hub since 2010, this punchy young septet continue to pack its band room with youngsters from all over Melbourne, leaving them with nothing but smiles, sweat-soaked clothes and bellies full of beer.

Animaux fronted up for their fifth residency week on Wednesday where, despite being crammed on the tiny stage in 30-degree heat, they delivered yet another amazing performance.

The high-energy vocals of lead singer and lone female band member, Alex Lahey, are just the tip of the iceberg on the crafty composition of Animaux’s funky pop hits.

However, a surprise was in store for punters with the debut of tenor sax player Ollie Whitehead on vocals for one song that definitely got a few of the girls screaming in the crowd.

The young Melburnians punched out a few solos with Lahey’s alto sax proving as sexy as her vocals and the youngest of the band, Will Base (on bass. Apt.) showing just how mature the band are for their young ages.

The devotion to the band becomes all too apparent when favourites like 'Turn It Up’ and ‘Questions and Exclamation Marks’ are sung just as much by the crowd as they are by Lahey.

These guys never fail to disappoint, delivering a show of unique brassy sounds with awesome pop beats.

It was in true Animaux fashion that the band answered the pleas of their devoted audience by belting out one last crowd pleaser. Their cover of Passion Pit’s ‘Little Secrets’ is definitely one of their best covers and electrocutes the atmosphere with their enthusiasm bringing an amazing end to their set.

The buzz around these guys is building and they are certainly a band that shouldn’t be missed. Their residency will continue until the end of March and they will also be hitting up the Hills Are Alive festival on March 23-24. Get out and see this band while you still can. They are on the cusp of brilliance.