AlunaGeorge brings powerful pop to a Monday night dance party at Union Transfer

AlunaGeorge | Photo by Doug Interrante

I had the pleasure of seeing AlunaGeorge at Liverpool Sound City fest two years ago after a long day of travel and music. That night, despite my exhaustion, they blew me away with their sound that reminded me of my favorite acts growing up: Lisa Lisa, Cover Girls, Good Girls, etc. along with a fun stage show. Monday night at Underground Arts was even better than that night at The Garage.

Following a long opening set by Australian EDM newcomer Roland Tings – whose beat-driven sampler tapestries recalled The Orb one minute and Future Sound of London the next – Aluna Francis and George Reid took the stage. The duo stepped up their live game since I saw them last via a drummer and Francis helping on auxiliary percussion. Her voice can be wispy and soprano one second and belting out the next, tearing through the singles “Attracting Flies,” and “Kaleidoscope Love.” The group also played a few new songs that were more dynamic than their previous work and have me excited for their upcoming album.

The crowd was a little shy at first but came alive by the time the Disclosure collaboration “White Noise,” began. The party sing-a-long “This Is How We Do It,” was made anew for the majority of people there who may not have been even born yet when Montell Jordan released the song in 1995. They only played for about 45 minutes but AlunaGeorge made the absolute most of their time and proved that live pop music doesn’t need spectacle to amaze, just raw talent.