The first band to play Dork 100's honour falls to KuleeAngee, and they grab it with both hands. A band with both feet on the dancefloor and ready to bring it to any venue, any time - it makes them perfect for this moment whilst signalling how irresistible they're bound to become. Hands are in the air when the likes of 'Television', 'Push It' and 'All In' grab with buzzing energy that drapes Colours Hoxton in late-night euphoria bound for massive stages. It may just be Duncan and Kesh on stage, but their sound flows through a phat subwoofer, with their DNA set on the best of times. 'Animated Love' sparks a call-and-response reaction. A band you simply have to see live, they're not only the ribbon cutter but the confetti cannon that sets Dork 100 off perfectly.
PUNCHBAG arrive on stage like a shaken bottle of fizzy pop cracked open. The result sprays across their quick-fire set that shows why being fun may make them one of the most exciting new bands around. 'I'm Not Your Punchbag' hits like a knockout blow and has Colours Hoxton moving as one to a band that dives headfirst into a glitter-neon ballpit. It's hyper and uncompromising in the greatest ways. Tonight feels like their most unstoppable statement - one that laughs in the face of any rulebook. 'Fuck It' is sung back in full volume as lead singer Clara Bach commands the room, whilst 'You Used To Be So Sexy' laughs and spits with equal passion. A neon explosion of energy, they make their ambition clear. It's a takeover or nothing.
There's not a single space to move when piri & tommy take the stage. What follows is the feel-good pop-dance party of the year. Decked in ribbons, dice cubes and playing card blocks, the hands they pull are constant. Early runs through 'yoyo' see hands in the air miming the chorus, followed by a sizzling cover of dance classic 'LK (It Is The Way)' in homage to collaborator DJ Marky. Tonight, piri & tommy are back to seize their crown as the dance-pop breakthrough favourite. As a Thursday night vibe, it's immaculate. 'Dog', introduced as one of piri's favourite tracks, bounces with playful energy whilst 'updown' sees crowds letting loose. It's part late-night club and part jaw-dropping gig.
Truly, the opening of their most vital era, what makes them stand out, is how they command celebrations. Like hosts with the keys to the perfect night out soundtrack, tonight reinforces their intent. It's evident across the new and unreleased tracks they reveal - 'Magic' is a hook-soaked banger immediately lodged in everyone's head, whilst 'Venus' sees piri acknowledge influences from Britney Spears, disco and Pharrell Williams. The result is a slice of smooth Neptunes-esque early-00s pop that could be pulled from a NOW compilation CD, with Colours Hoxton wrapped around their finger. 'Someone', teased as their next single, sees tommy take centre stage for a strutting 80s disco groover. When a closing run of 'Beachin', 'Soft Spot' and 'On & On' sparks pandemonium, there's no question left. piri & tommy are stepping into a golden disco-ball era, and when it comes to parties, there's nobody we'd rather have controlling the sound system.
