Clad in a magnificent high-shouldered black jacket and fluro-goth attire, Laurie Black cuts an impressive figure on the stage of The Bally. Armed with her synthesizer and drum machine, she’s here to deliver a solid hour of synth-rock and her unique style of cabaret. It’s impressive how much atmosphere Laure can create in such a minimal setting; her outfit and demeanor calls to mind a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk future soundtracked by her sharp synthesizer beats. Anyone with a soft spot for dark techno or gothic EDM will appreciate her command over her instruments. The music touches on satirical themes with some comical performance theatre thrown into the mix (in one scene, Laurie invites the audience to pull a series of flags out of her shorts to humorously symbolize menstruation). Dystopiano is at times a darkly comedic look at the banality of living in an unjust society and the more selfish aspects of human nature. Laurie isn’t afraid to voice her frustrations at the impassivity of billionaires who focus on deep space exploration without focusing on the people and planet they leave behind. She shows a cheery sense of nihilism as she lampoons such hypocrisies through songs such as “Space Junk”. And yet, she also tries to offer us a glimmer of hope by recognising our collective humanity Laurie’s appeal and sense of humour might be hard to explain for those who’ve never been exposed to surreal theatre or alternative British comedy. Her theatricality and surrealist stylings feel right at home with the likes of Noel Fielding while her musical talents and social commentary are reminiscent of Tim Minchin - with a little touch of Lily Allen’s sass for good measure. Laurie Black offers fantastically off-kilter musical comedy that’s hard to describe, let alone replicate. She delivers a uniquely vaudevillian techno-rock experience like no other - one that’s sure to be loved by those with a taste for alternative and social satire. FOUR AND A HALF STARS ****1/2 Reviewed by Justine Hall