Live Review: Badbadnotgood

Canadian jazz four-piece Badbadnotgood put on an excellent performance showcasing music from their first three albums, and latest release IV. For a gig that first seemed as if it would be eclipsed by Gizzfest taking place on the same night, the audience numbers tripled from an intimate grouping to a near full house in the hour before they took the stage. DJs Oisima and Troy J Been set the mood during this time. The two have strong presence on Fresh 92.7 as well as running their popular club night Messin' Around at venues across Adelaide. Their choices of smooth, bass-filled, hip hop cuts made the wait pleasant.

For a jazz hip hop band whose recordings are as gentle as their signature keyboard sound, it's surprising how upbeat and energetic the band is when performing live. Drummer Alex Sowinski has a microphone stand to his left for when he acts as MC, speaking to the crowd in between songs to hype them up. He and Matthew Tavares on keys are the loosely termed "lead section" of the band. Sowinski's fast-rolling fills and choppy breaks intertwine with Tavares's fast-yet-nonchalant outpouring of notes. Leland Whitty's full-time membership to the band is a great addition, playing saxophone, flute and percussion during this performance, the latter instrument complementing a rendition of their Kaytranada collab track Lavender.

Chester Hansen is just as skilled on the bass, but he also doesn't purposefully barge his way into the limelight, his instrument complements the mix rather than cutting through it. The band's casual approach is inspiring and shows that you don't have to be outlandish or self-indulgent in order to succeed — four normal guys who love music can take command of an entire room with nothing but their instruments.