Featured images: Ameena Ceesay
LA native Thundercat has garnered quite the reputation. On top of being a Grammy award-winning solo artist, he has proven to be a reliable collaborator to an eclectic mix of artists from Kendrick Lamar and more recently, Tame Impala, integrating an intoxicating mix of R&B and funk in the process. In the midst of a UK and European tour, it’s safe to say his reputation precedes him.
Kitty Cash is the sole supporting act of the evening. Performing on what looks like a DIY DJ deck, the crowd is immediately on her side. Whether it’s down to her sound (a well executed mix of Lo-Fi, hip hop and conventional techno), the general mood of the attendees, or the fact that it’s clear she’s having a good time connecting with the crowd, this is someone to keep an eye on.
The glowing eyes of the logo-clad tapestry overlook the scene as the main event creeps closer. Rather than kicking off with a prolific tune from his discography, Thundercat, accompanied by his keyboardist and drummer, treat us to an instrumental of ‘Lost In Space’, where he gets to flex his muscles as a bassist.
Almost every song segues into a casual conversation with Thundercat, the focus of which consists of him joking around, telling stories or simply saying thank you. His announcement that a new album is currently in the works leads into a preview performance of said new material, ‘ADD Through The Roof’. Following on from a story about his collaboration with Pedro Martins on the 2020 album, It Is What It Is, we get a charming cover of one of Martins’ songs, ‘Isn’t It Strange’.
Prior to ‘A Message To Austin’, we get a fitting tribute to the late Akira Toriyama, where the audience is coached into paying respect to the Dragon Ball creator by letting out a collective “kame hame ha!”. This is just one of many instances where the crowd shows their engagement, while Thundercat shows himself to be a bubbly, nerdy and adorable presence.
It’s this type of energy that makes the show fly by. We get our encore, “No More Lies,” played without a Tame Impala appearance, and before you know it the show’s over, a collective exhaustion felt from the constant laughing, singing and dancing. If you’re looking for mellow, easy listening that will occasionally push you to caper, it doesn’t get much better than a Thundercat performance.
By Ruby Henry-Dicks Featured image: Rohan Walsh On a rainy December evening, headliners Malcom play their second sell-out headline show this year; supported by bands Daisychain and Little Strange at the Deaf Institute. First up is Daisychain, the Mancunian four-piece tackling teenage angst and love one song at a time with their tracks ‘Stay’ and…
By Georgia Robinson Featured image: Adrianos Falkonakis Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens Spending time outdoors this time of year might not feel intuitive, but if you can stand the chill then a stroll around Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens is a great way to embrace the season. Between acres of woodland and an abundance of flora and…
Featured image: WendyWei.pexels With the most anticipated night of the year right around the corner, the big question is looming: where are you going to celebrate it? Whether you dread it or count down the days, are new to the Manchester nightlife scene or are a regular, we’ve got your New Year’s Eve plans sorted….
By Georgia Robinson Featured image and gallery: Ruby Sharp Get one step ahead of your 2025 aesthetic and plan your outfits for the new year with this guide to all the trends we expect to see next year. Why not jazz up your wardrobe with trending accessories or browse Depop and Vinted for a pre-loved…
Leave a reply