In the early 00s bands from New York like Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Strokes and Interpol all experienced a wealth of attention with their fresh takes on older musical genres and strong images that made them perfect fodder for  magazines and marketing depts. Of those three bands YYY have managed to hold onto their mojo the longest with The Strokes burning out early (either by design or fashion) and Interpol lacking consistency.

The latest tour to Australia on the back of their It’s Blitz! album was a chance to see if their edge was softening or if they were still capable of backing up their albums with the incendiary live show they are known for.

Support honour was given to Circle Pit who in some ways were the perfect support act in terms of laying a blank canvas for the main act to explode onto. Looking nervous, they remained motionless for their entire set but as they warmed to the task the twin vocals of Jack Mannix and Angela Bermuda locked into unison and their particular brand of zoned out Velvets garage rock began to find its place in the soulless Hordern. Highlights of their set would have to be Mannix’s shorts and leather jacket look and the gorgeous rendition of Another Trick. Circle Pit would have left the vast majority of YYY fans confused but it was great to see them getting the chance to play a larger venue and to new ears.

Karen O always makes a grand entrance and the trick of singing offstage is a sure crowd winner before she comes bouncing on, all wide eyed grin and day-glo shaman cape and rags. The band still look the same as when they first got everyone excited nearly a decade ago; Nick Zinner in trademark black with early Nick Cave quiff, Brian Chase high on the drum riser pounding out his simplistic (in a good way) beats. They also had the talents of David Pajo (Slint, Will Oldham, Tortoise, Zwan etc) on hand for additional bass, guitar and keyboards.

From the start it was clear this was going to be a show that was all about fun and creating a party atmosphere. Phenomena was like a surging Chemical Brothers anthem while the tracks from It’s Blitz! reminded us just how well the band has been able to incorporate bigger and bolder electronic, disco and funk elements into their sound. Zero and Heads Will Roll generated a sea of raised arms that filled the venue with that rare euphoric gig feeling. Skeletons showed a gentler approach with its M83 synth washes and one of O’s most tender vocal moments of the night, even if she looked like the neon pope.

Of course Karen is the focus of the show and she didn’t disappoint, both in her manic bouncing, posing and flinging of limbs – all with that slightly unhinged grin on her face. Accompanying the physicality was her costume changes into various layers of fabric and a glow in the dark headdress and pink wrestling mask. he spirit of Bjork was strong in the visual elements of the show but O had a big enough presence to make it her own.

They delved back to the early Master EP with the cute meets demonic noise fest Art Star that saw O writhing with microphone in mouth conjuring up the spirit of Sonic Youth and other sound terrorists. Its hard to imagine the ‘kids’ tolerating the deconstructionist elements of YYY’s sound from any other act. They seem to be able to still tread that fine line that embraces energy, experimentation and pure melody.

The encore started with the obligatory heartfelt mass singing of Maps – an acoustic version at that – and then rolled into the snarling Date With The Night that showed that though they have embraced elements of dance, pop and electroclash they’ve kept the guitar loud, crunching and discordant – a sign that they aren’t slipping into lazy appeal to the masses anytime soon. From their shows at the Metro a few years back to the cavernous Hordern they are still the same band playing music for the same reasons and it is still as vibrant and energising as ever.