As the fading summer sun began to sink into the sea at the St Kilda Palace Foreshore, the crowd's anticipation built in the promise of hearing the ethereal synths and funky, dreamy melodies of Magdalena Bay. The outdoor venue in the hub of St. Kilda, with the beach on one side and Luna Park on the other, created a feeling of magic and excitement, which was the perfect atmosphere for the enchanting world of dream-pop duo Magdalena Bay. The Los Angeles-based outfit, made up of Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin, have built a reputation for their expertly crafted songs, blending sparkling electronica with elements of funk and rock. Their live show was a testament to their ability to craft magical worlds and experiences through their music and prowess as performers.

The night kicked off with opener Ratbag, an alternative rock artist from New Zealand. Ratbag is great fun; her performances were lively and enrapturing to watch. Her band’s headpieces, created intriguing visuals and, upon her explanation, enveloped the crowd in an inside joke. Her vocal talents are complemented by the sonic journey of her songs. The standout performances for me were her newly released single Juliet & Juliet, Dead End Kids and Rats in my Walls. Ratbag was a wonderful opener and set a high-energy mood for the rest of the night.

When Magdalena Bay took the stage, the crowd entered a different world. Their stage set-up was bewitching. An oval-shaped full-body “mirror” that projected the band’s visuals for the show was set up in front of a background of a chrome CD and a chrome outstretched hand. The visuals blended Y2K chrome nostalgia with spellbinding imaginations of Tenenbaum in her various forms and costumes throughout the show. The experience felt like being sucked into a video game released a decade or two ago, being immersed in the magic of their performance you felt a little magic yourself. It was a dazzling mix of neon hues, abstract shapes, and hypnotic projections that transported the audience deeper into this world of their creation. 

The first track She Looked Like Me! opened the night, welcomed with cheers and crowd singalongs. The first notes of the song reverberated through the audience, a precursor to a show that would immerse concertgoers into the band's signature blend of sparkling synths and Tenenbaum delicate yet powerful vocals. This feeling would be paralleled by their performance visuals, particularly the performance of the ImaginalDisc’s narrative when Tenenbaum’s character kneels to receive an extraterrestrial LaserDisc inserted into her forehead. The show had a satiating and fulfilling quality.

The chemistry between the duo was unmistakable—Lewin, with his cool, almost mysterious demeanour, seamlessly complemented Mica’s energy, both on-stage and through their precise arrangements. The setlist took the audience on a journey through their entire discography, with standout tracks like Chaeri and You Lose!, from their previous album Mercurial World, as well as new material that showcased their growth and experimentation with sound. The entirety of Imaginal Disk comprised the majority of the show. The standout performances for me were Watching TV, Image, Cry for me and Vampire in The Corner.  The duo’s knack for effortlessly blending smooth, groovy sounds with punchy electro-pop beats were on full display, each song feeling like a carefully constructed sonic landscape that wrapped itself around the crowd.

But it wasn’t just the music that impressed—it was the performance itself. Mica was initially dressed in a blue outfit with dramatic plumed pants. However, that outfit would only last a moment before she underwent a series of outfit changes, to red pieces with celestial planets attached, then she became a ballerina with angel wings, and briefly she was a sunflower. Tenenbaum effortlessly glided from behind the keyboard to the front of the stage, exuding excitement and melodrama. Her vocal delivery was majestic; her voice floated above the layers of synths and beats. Lewin added a rich layer of depth to the music with his intricately programmed beats and live instrumentation, showing a level of musicianship that elevated the performance.

The crowd was fully engaged from start to finish. The outdoor setting of The Palace Foreshore allowed the music to float into the warm night air. The audience was high energy, with an enthusiasm for the music palpable in their dancing and singing and cheering. It felt like an exclusive moment where both the band and the audience were locked in this shared experience, creating a bond between the two.

Magdalena Bay’s show at the Palace Foreshore was a celebration of their unique sound and artistry. Their seamless combination of dreamy synth-pop and clever lyricism, paired with an engaging stage presence, left a lasting impression. The sounds and sights of the night will stay with me for a long time.