Fat Freddy's Drop, O2 Academy, Birmingham - review
Kia Ora, the Māori term for good health, is a fitting mantra New Zealand’s fastest rising export, Fat Freddy’s Drop, and tonight we could see why.
Fans of Fat Freddy’s seemed in their element as the band performed versions from their hit records such as Based on a True Story, which outsold every New Zealand album in their nations history, at Birmingham's O2 Academy.
Their dreamscape album Blackbird also featured heavily in the show's set as did tracks from the 2015 release ‘Bay’s such as the 8-bit inspired single, Slings and Arrows.
It’s quite something to see the calibre of musicianship onstage all at the same time. It’s even more impressive that this band formed as a collective of friends on the Wellington music scene.
Originating from house jams, bandleader DJ Fitchie painstakingly brought together the arrangements for their debut record, patiently recording the album musician by musician over a period of 18 months, in-between touring.
The record won award after award, projecting the band into the forefront of the mainstream music industry in New Zealand.
Onstage it’s clear the band has been heavily influenced by the music they’ve encountered over the past 12 years of touring.
A heavier techno/electronic sound drives the pulse with the ambiance of Jamaican dub. Dallas Tamaira aka Joe Dukie’s voice is as emotive as any of the Memphis soul artists of the 60’s, though as their contemporary it’s clear that music with feeling is still alive and well in Birmingham.
The pinch tightness of the brass section attenuated with hypnotic delay is only overshadowed by the euphoric dancing of Trombone player Joe Lindsay.
What is noticeable about Fat Freddy’s Drop is that every show is different. They’ve never lost their sense of creativity, play and passion for music.
Each performer expands on the possibilities of the song; their sense of connectivity is a spectacle in itself. Watching on it was clear that the audience were also in on the conversation as undulating basslines creating a sense of weightlessness soothed the humdrum of workweek.
Just like the Manuka honey bees, Fat Freddy’s Drop are capable of healing even the deepest wounds of the soul.
