Thievery Corporation still going strong 20 years on
Mr Lif and Puma on stage with the band.
Having spoken to, Rob Garza, one half of Thievery Corporation, prior to their show at Metro City Thursday 8th, I was excited to see their live show in action with the new album behind them. Thievery’s latest album, The Temple of I & I, pays homage to the dub sounds they are heavily influenced by and introduces new singers to the world stage.
Opening for Thievery was local heterogeneous band POW Negro who brought the right amount of liveliness and swag for a support act. Humbled by the opportunity and aware of the slightly older crowd, frontman/emcee Nelson cheekily asked “I hope you don’t mind me rapping?” I don’t think they did.
POW’s songs are energetic and passionate, all projected to the, slowly growing, crowd through the talented instrumentalists and dynamic frontman. Nelson danced and rapped across the stage in a style reminiscent of Rage Against the Machine’s Zach De La Rocha but with the cadence of modern day poet. With a debut album out real soon, the crowd were treated to a soon-to-be released track, as well as songs from last year’s Jasmine & Licorice EP.
Thievery Corporation is infamous for their eclectic sounds and comprehensive live band. And whilst their earlier music was more electronic sounding and sample based, their more recent works lend to a live band, allowing for an exciting and captivating on-stage presence. The change up of instruments and vocalists created a “jamming with friends” vibe.
A rotating roster of vocalists graced the stage providing their own lyrical flavour. Thievery family, Mr Lif, Puma Ptah, Natalia Clavier, Lou Lou Ghelichkhani and Frank Orrall, all stars in their own right, each brought their own style respectively. MC Mr Lif elevated the crowd energy with his raps; Puma’s harmonious voice transported you to another place; Natalia soulfully serenaded through the rhythmic melodies; Lou Lou (who was my personal favourite on the night) entranced you with her soft, dulcet tones; and Frank livened the crowd with a voice that was reminiscent of Brazilian bossa nova singers. Newcomer to the Thievery line up, Racquel Jones, who was recently discovered in Jamaica and features on the new album, brought that black girl magic and fire asking the crowd to “put their lighters up”and showing why Thievery Corporation have put her on.
Positioned at the back of the stage on the keys, Garza, acted as a quasi-conductor, as the band played the drums, bass, electric guitar, sitar, bongos, a make-shift hanging cymbal. Sadly, the turntables went untouched. The group performed an energetic collaborative track with Mr Lif, Puma and Racquel Jones all on the mic and it seemed that was the finale. However, after a short break, the entire band were all back on stage for an extended encore. This time with Garza on guitar jamming with Rob Myers on the sitar, closing with The Richest Man in Babylon and possibly the group’s most famous track, Lebanese Blonde.
Though the sound of Thievery Corporation is driven by Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, Thievery really is a sum of all its parts. Thievery would be nothing without its instrumentalists and vocalists. The collaborative effort on stage creates a fun and inclusive vibe that translates to the crowd and is the reason why after 20-odd years Thievery Corporation is still going strong.
Opening for Thievery was local heterogeneous band POW Negro who brought the right amount of liveliness and swag for a support act. Humbled by the opportunity and aware of the slightly older crowd, frontman/emcee Nelson cheekily asked “I hope you don’t mind me rapping?” I don’t think they did.
POW’s songs are energetic and passionate, all projected to the, slowly growing, crowd through the talented instrumentalists and dynamic frontman. Nelson danced and rapped across the stage in a style reminiscent of Rage Against the Machine’s Zach De La Rocha but with the cadence of modern day poet. With a debut album out real soon, the crowd were treated to a soon-to-be released track, as well as songs from last year’s Jasmine & Licorice EP.
Thievery Corporation is infamous for their eclectic sounds and comprehensive live band. And whilst their earlier music was more electronic sounding and sample based, their more recent works lend to a live band, allowing for an exciting and captivating on-stage presence. The change up of instruments and vocalists created a “jamming with friends” vibe.
A rotating roster of vocalists graced the stage providing their own lyrical flavour. Thievery family, Mr Lif, Puma Ptah, Natalia Clavier, Lou Lou Ghelichkhani and Frank Orrall, all stars in their own right, each brought their own style respectively. MC Mr Lif elevated the crowd energy with his raps; Puma’s harmonious voice transported you to another place; Natalia soulfully serenaded through the rhythmic melodies; Lou Lou (who was my personal favourite on the night) entranced you with her soft, dulcet tones; and Frank livened the crowd with a voice that was reminiscent of Brazilian bossa nova singers. Newcomer to the Thievery line up, Racquel Jones, who was recently discovered in Jamaica and features on the new album, brought that black girl magic and fire asking the crowd to “put their lighters up”and showing why Thievery Corporation have put her on.
Positioned at the back of the stage on the keys, Garza, acted as a quasi-conductor, as the band played the drums, bass, electric guitar, sitar, bongos, a make-shift hanging cymbal. Sadly, the turntables went untouched. The group performed an energetic collaborative track with Mr Lif, Puma and Racquel Jones all on the mic and it seemed that was the finale. However, after a short break, the entire band were all back on stage for an extended encore. This time with Garza on guitar jamming with Rob Myers on the sitar, closing with The Richest Man in Babylon and possibly the group’s most famous track, Lebanese Blonde.
Though the sound of Thievery Corporation is driven by Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, Thievery really is a sum of all its parts. Thievery would be nothing without its instrumentalists and vocalists. The collaborative effort on stage creates a fun and inclusive vibe that translates to the crowd and is the reason why after 20-odd years Thievery Corporation is still going strong.