Well here we go again, this is my second review of a Radar Complex live performance, the first being at Glass Magic Castle a few weeks ago.

Far from being predictable (except for the superlatives I will use to describe their music) this gig had some differences.

Firstly the venue, Snap Wine Bar, on a Tuesday night hosts a range of artists, organised by Wicked Rock. The emphasis seems to be on providing more "unplugged"/acoustic or just plain chilled music, especially from some of the more well known and "louder" rock acts from Durbs.

Snap Wine Bar itself is a cosy venue, with a pretty good view out towards Town and Greyville Race course via a small balcony area, parking is secure, and the venue is directly opposite Manna in Marriot Road. Menu, although having small variety was good enough, and of course it's really the excellent range of Wine that is the draw card.

Tuesday the 6th was slightly different as the artists performing (Radar Complex and Lize', not pictured), are essentially chilled lounge acts. I must say singer who followed Radar Complex, Lize' was rather bland, and predictable, yes she could hold a tune, but the forced "jazz lounge act" styling did not come naturally to the performer, who looked very uncomfortable, maybe the years of voice training should be coupled with a similar amount of years of choreography work. And her wannabe Katie Melua, and Joss Stone pretensions are not matched by her proficiencies anyway.

A very personal view point but this is the type of act from a technically trained yet unoriginal performer, not a naturally gifted artist that is typical of the very lacking commercial music industry we have in SA. She will probably get the recording deal and sell some albums, just doesn't mean it's of any real substantive quality.

It is a pity that original artists like Radar Complex get passed up all too often for the mundane cliched acts who copycat the prevailing trends from either US or UK artists.

Moving on to the positive, awesome to hear Radar Complex belt out their chilled acoustic-electronica on a decent soundsystem. The guitar work by Des flitted inbetween the deft sampler and sequencer controlling and mixing of Wes.

Great subtle instrumentation and percussion not audible at the Magic Castle gig, now breathed new life into the compositions.

All in all a much more satisfying listening experience. Catch Radar Complex as soon as possible, these guys are on it !

Also having learnt early last week that Lark were due to perform in Durbs starting on 24th Feb and returning again over March, April and May according to the band's management, I really hope that at least for one gig, Radar Complex get to open or play in support of Lark!

Now that would be the proverbial cherry on the top for the lads of Radar Complex, which was also notably lacking from the dessert I ordered!