1st Annual Sydney Funk & Soul Festival
@ The Metro Theatre, City
[20th August 2004]
Reviewed by Mimmette Roldan
One venue, two rooms, six hours, 11 bands, 70 musicians and hundreds of music lovers.
It doesn't matter that it took so long for Sydney to showcase local talent in its own funk and soul festival. All that matters is that it's here now and it will be here every year. Thanks to the collaboration of Motherlovin' Records, The Drum Media and the folks of FBi, The Metro Theatre hosted the first Annual Sydney Funk and Soul Festival in August.
The festival was organised in a way wherein each band's hour-long performance overlapped the next act in the other room. This gave the audience the choice to see all 11 bands perform over the six hours if they wanted.
Starting at 7:30pm, opening act Cropper bravely performed on the funk stage to an early night crowd with much enthusiasm. Those present showed their appreciation for the funky guitar and bass accompanied by the scratching skills of the band's DJ. Half an hour into Cropper's performance, The Alphabetics started jazzing up the Transit Lounge next door, the room perfect for the intimate listening style of soul music.
The funk stage then saw The Brian Ferry Sexual Experience perform with their sultry female lead singer accompanied by two energetic dancers. MusicOz Artist of 2003, Bluejuice, exploded unto the stage with an unrivalled energy, jumping and dancing around as they belted out their rhymes and tunes. Johnson followed up the funk with a shiny horn section in tow and then Kid Confucius got the crowd going and ready for more before headline act Jackie Orszaczky took to the stage fresh from a European tour.
Back in the Transit Lounge, Astro Tabasco sustained the soul supremacy with a jazzy, old-school, instrumental funk with a twist of brass, adding a sophisticated big band feel to the atmosphere. Although a hard act to follow, young Andy Bull rose to the occasion to sing and perform on keyboard alongside his band. The audience then enjoyed a taste of new material from The Hands before giving it up for sexy, soul sister, Nessa Morgan.
The musicians were thrilled to be part of this premiere event. And so were the hordes of music lovers packed out in The Metro shaking their groove thing to some fantastic funk and a whole lot of sexy soul. The night was an obvious success and proved that not only is there plenty of brilliant, local talent but that the Annual Sydney Funk and Soul Festival deserves continued support. It can only get better from here.
Photo of Cat (The Brian Ferry Sexual Experience) by Asja Binno |
