Cut Copy’s whistle-stop world tour landed in Manchester last night with heavily tipped fellow Aussie band, Rüfüs on support duties.

Playing to a packed house at Manchester’s Ritz, Rüfüs took to the stage at around 8 to warm up the crowd for their fellow countrymen.

Despite a relatively meek crowd, the Australian trio managed to get an uninterested crowd tapping their toes and swinging their hips despite the early start.

The band played several tracks from their debut album ‘Atlas‘ eventually winning over the crowd one track at a time with ‘Take Me‘ having the biggest impact for our money.

Once Rüfüs had finished their set there was a good 30 minute changeover before Cut Copy took to the stage.

While Rufus’ stage presence was a little wooden – though the crowd, and set time didn’t help – that couldn’t be levelled at Cut Copy, who got the slightly unsure crowd off their feet and into full party mode within a couple of songs.

Frontman, Dan Whitford was on imperious form as he controlled the crowd like a conductor flailing his arms around like over-excited child or with a well-execute fist bump.

He soon had the crowd eating out of his hand with fan favourite ‘Where I’m Going‘ and ‘Walking in the Sky‘.

Backed by hypnotic projections, Cut Copy’s assured set consisted of fan staples such as ‘Free Your Mind‘, taken from the band’s latest album, ‘Hearts on Fire‘ and singalong tracks like ‘Take Me Over’ and ‘We Are The Explorers’.

Overall, Cut Copy’s stage presence and showmanship was the real winner last night, having toured together for 10 years it would be fair to say Cut Copy are veterans of the live game and from start to finish it showed.

CUT COPY – AUSTRALIAN TOUR – 2014

Thursday May 8 – Metro Theatre, Sydney

Friday May 9 – 170 Russell, Melbourne

Saturday May 10th – Eatons Hill Hotel, Brisbane

More: cutcopy.net