Live Review: Flight Facilities

Flight Facilities, Roxanne Parlour, 12 November 2011

Groupie Magazine for Pages Digital

There is something undeniably sexy about air travel. Perhaps it’s the possibility of joining the mile high club or the fact that the front of the plane is called the cockpit. Either way, Flight Facilities’ stopover at Roxanne Parlour on Saturday night had plenty of people in the crowd looking for a layover.

Flight Facilities cleverly differentiate themselves from other DJ/producers by embracing the concept of in-flight entertainment. Co-pilots Jimmy and Hugo wear ties from the original Flight Facilities company and identify themselves with aviator style hats and goggles while on stage. The paper aeroplanes hanging from the roof of Roxanne’s main room and the cards the duo fling out at the end of the set indicate that Flight Facilities are making their band their brand.

The familiar intro of ‘Foreign Language’ signals the arrival of the pair, who welcome the audience via an announcement on the PA system. The set takes off with an instrumental version of Spiller’s ‘Groovejet/If This Aint Love’ and Bag Raiders’ ‘Snake Charmer’ and as we ascend; it’s clear this is going to be a disco-heavy voyage.

The romanticism of air travel is already having a powerful effect on the audience. There appears to be some strip-searching happening mid-flight as a randy couple expose more undercarriage than is appropriate on the dance floor. I get groped for the fifth time in as many minutes and start to wish I’d listened to where the emergency exits were.

But then vocalist Jess Higgs joins the duo on stage to perform latest single ‘Foreign Language’ and the audience become entranced. Dressing for the occasion with evening gloves, her performance adds a nice live element to the show. ‘I love Melbourne!’ Higgs cries and the feeling appears to be mutual. So enthusiastic is the pulsating crowd that the Roxanne floor starts to tremble and I wonder if this is the Flight Facilities’ version of turbulence.

From here on, the show reaches new heights. Providing plenty of support for local acts, Miami Horror’s ‘I Look To You’ gets a run along with Cut Copy’s ‘Take Me Over.’ The cabin crew grows as mates including Anna Lunoe join the duo on stage. The set soars with Two Door Cinema Club’s ‘Something Good Can Work’ and The XX’s ‘Crystalised’, ensuring nobody on board was going to suffer from Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Teasers for ‘Crave You’ are weaved throughout the set, making the anticipation palpable when we reach 2am and descent becomes imminent. The first lush notes of ‘Crave You’ drop and a cheer goes up, as do the crowd’s hands. Our pilots switch to cruise control as Giselle’s vocals are overpowered by the audience and Jimmy and Hugo take the chance throw back some well-earned shots.

The appreciative audience applauds as Flight Facilities wave goodbye and upon disembarking, passengers head to the bar to celebrate being back on solid ground. I don’t know about anyone else but I’m blaming tomorrow’s hangover on jet lag.