This one is probably the longest review in-the-making for me after needing to take some time to handle some family matters, but revisiting this show as I sit down to write this recap, I must admit that it feels pretty nice to remember the last concert I attended that made me “wow.”
For one reason or another, and despite my admiration for the artist also known as Stephen Lee Bruner, this was actually my first time seeing Thundercat live. Though I’d seen live footage on YouTube and I’ve read our own past coverage, I’ve always wanted to feel the vibes of a live performance myself and it definitely lived up to my expectations.
The stage production was dope and it caught your attention from the second you stepped into the venue’s concert floor. The massive inflatable Thundercat that stood the height of the Salt Shed’s indoor venue looked like the kind of thing you
Thundercat’s live set is nothing but stellar performance after stellar performance of songs that showcase his incredible skill, with a mix of songs that amplified the studio version while sometimes breaking into epic jams packed with seemingly never-ending, jazzy improvisations that add new layers and new ways to enjoy your favorites songs. My first and favorite example of this came with “Interstellar Love,” which made me stop and put down my camera multiple times so I could stare at how this man plays the bass.
Thundercat also took moments of the set to connect with the crowd on a more personal level by stopping the music and speaking in a normal tone and voice. Some of my favorite moments include when he shared about meeting Ryuichi Sakamoto – saying “brother would eat all the food from the fridge, playing resident evil instead of going to the club” – or like when he shouted out Compton and saying he was proud of where he’s from after playing “Black Qualls.”
Another moment that was fun to share with the crowd was when he dedicated his Flying Lotus collab “Black Gold” to anime nerds, but then when he mentioned his love for Dragon Ball Z and then dragging Dragon Ball GT by leading a “Fuck Dragon Ball GT” chant, he made the crowd repeat it when didn’t say it with the kind of passion he feels for that statement. A fan quickly helped redeem the city of Chicago’s nerds by flashing a dragon ball that caught his attention, responding with “Is that a dragon ball? Good work guys.”
This guy is electric. If you love “Dragon Ball Durag” or “King Of The Hill” and “Them Changes” already, then the live versions will only make you love em more. If you thought you loved his bass playing, you’re in for a treat when you see what does in a live show.
Photo Credit: Oscar Oliva Jr / Pursuit Of Dopeness
