Gig review: Fat Freddy's Drop in Auckland

BY CHRIS SCHULZ

Fat Freddy's Drop sometimes meander a bit, but their dub-inspired trip is always a journey worth taking. Reviewer Chris Schulz and photographer Jennifer Raoult were there.

Fat Freddy's Drop
Where: The Powerstation, Auckland
When: Saturday, November 7

As that old cliché goes, good things take time. If anyone understands that saying better than most, it's Fat Freddy's Drop.

The Wellington-based band began the second of two sold out shows at Auckland's Powerstation with a version of Shiverman - one of the stand-outs from this year's second album Dr Boondigga and the Big BW - that was nearly twice the length of its album version.

It took seven minutes for front man Joe Dukie to start singing, 13 minutes for the first blast from the band's trademarked triple-horn team and 18 minutes to come to an end.

Some would accuse them of mucking around. Others would be bored. But for the hyped crowd gathered at the Powerstation - a mixed group ranging from canoodling teens to amorous parents, and, possibly, grandparents - it was a perfectly executed slice of throbbing dub, synthy squelches and exquisite electronica that could easily have sustained several extra minutes.

If you've already seen Fat Freddy's live, and are among the many thousands who bought 2005's massive hit Based on a True Story, you probably already know that the seven-piece collective don't play things by the book.

Tonight's show ran for more than two-and-a-half hours, included a new song no-one had heard before, featured extended remixes and improvisational jams of almost every track, and didn't feature three of Fat Freddy's catchiest crowd pleasers: Wandering Eye, The Nod and Pull the Catch.

If you attended Friday night's show - which reportedly featured Hollie Smith guesting on True Story's Hope - you probably saw a completely different set.

You could say they're just being difficult, but mixing things up is the Fat Freddy's way. After all, their sound includes everything from electro dub to shimmering soul and fiery funk. And, like all three of their albums, a Fat Freddy's live show contains plenty of highlights.

Early on,  Ray Ray's dense and moody rhythms featured DJ Fitchie's hypnotic, metronomic beats while Dukie danced around like a drunk rugby player, repeatedly asking the question, "What the world with no soul?"

He proved his point by providing a stunning acoustic version of This Room during the show's encore, showing off his honey-drenched tones that could, and probably have, melted hearts. It was just a shame it came so late, as the crowd was thinning a little by then.

Then there was attention-seeking trombonist Joe Lindsay, who emerged in a classy suit but soon undressed to start shaking his stuff in a white singlet that uncovered bits that should probably stay covered. He's a crowd pleaser, that one.

Less impressive was the faux-Jamaican vocals provided by MC Rhythm Slave during the rowdy Roady, and several mid-set moments where the band seemed to lose momentum by dawdling just a little too much.

But it was worth waiting for the night's undoubted triumph, Dr Boondigga's closing track Breakthrough, with Dukie sounding like a young Marvin Gaye as he played off against the horn team, building to several thrilling and climactic choruses.

Yes, they meander a bit. They also noodle around. Occasionally they drop the ball. And the show didn't end until it was well past many of the crowd's usual bedtime.

But when it comes to Fat Freddy's Drop, it's always a trip worth taking.

Photos: Jennifer Raoult

*What did you think of the show? Post your comments below.

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