AlunaGeorge – Brixton Electric, London 20/06/13

It is well over two years now since Aluna Francis and George Reid appeared, sandwiched their names together and became one of the most talked-about music duos in the country. Since then, they have become something of a household name, thanks to their stand-alone brand of R&B-inspired pop, as well as a guest slot on a certain airwaves dominating Disclosure single.

The London duo’s debut album is set for its greatly anticipated Island release on 29 July, but they have been relatively generous, unveiling a decent handful of material to ensure Body Music is a wholly enticing prospect.

These tracks set a standard, with the live shows giving their patient fan-base the opportunity to hear how the rest of the record might compare, and it is Brixton Electric that plays host to AlunaGeorge’s biggest headline show to date, just over a month before the aforementioned release.

Immediately the performance feels like something of a coming-of-age, since their February outing at XOYO, which was undeniably fun, but definitely left room for improvement. Big show lighting, including an illuminated box behind which Reid works his intricate production magic, and a herd of hanging bulbs, ensures the set feels effortlessly professional throughout.

‘Just A Touch’, still their most underground, TLC-esque cut, opens the show as Francis confidently bounds across the stage in front of her real drum and bass accompaniment. These two are particularly noteworthy in fact; clean snare hits and funky bass lines, like those in the brilliant ‘Diver’, cut through the electronic bombardment, adding depth and punch to, what could otherwise be, yet another live show reliant on monotonous manufactured beats.

It feels a little bit like we are watching a popstar that has truly found their feet, as Francis ditches her flowing shawl to a soundtrack of excitable shrieks and the bouncing synth opening to ‘You Know You Like It’ – it is subliminal, and the packed stalls are transformed into a dance-floor, with the striking, snake-hipped Aluna leading by a quite transfixing example.

There’s a complete belief and pride in what they are doing; not surprising really when the reception to ‘White Noise’ – a track disappointingly absent from their last outing – is as intense as it is. Singles like ‘Your Drums, Your Love’ and ‘Attracting Flies’ show just what a potent weapon Francis’ honeyed live vocal is, in amongst her counterpart’s impressive, fidgeting electronic workings, and receive equally excitable responses.

Perhaps most importantly, there are a couple of memorable album tracks showcased at the sell-out show, proving what a complete package they are. ‘Lost And Found’ is a school-disco belter of a hit single, with an unstoppably catchy chorus, while the wonderful, calming album-opener ‘Outlines’ shows their elegant versatility – a moment of respite for the restless crowd.

‘This Is How We Do It’, their inspired Montell Jordan cover, is intensely pleasing and exemplifies how AlunaGeorge’s live performance, having now become entirely professional, has done so without losing an ounce of the fun that has made them, rightly one of the most popular new bands of the year.

Photograph by Siamak Amini