Live Review: Big Freedia, THEESatisfaction

The queue outside Hi-Fi is almost as long as the one for Prince's ill-fated end-of-tour party back in May. Luckily, a sidewalk artist decorates the pavement with zoo animals, using only water and a lewd-looking, oversized foam paintbrush. This keeps us entertained while we do the march of the penguins toward the door.

It's only just hit 9pm, but THEESatisfaction are in full flow as we descend the stairs for a closer look. Stasia Irons and Catherine Harris-White exhibit enviable groove as they bust out effortless synchronised moves (bring on THEESatisfaction's Wii dance instructional). Both rap with as much conviction as they croon, which equals a joyous live experience. They take turns on the venue's temporary catwalk while serving up mellow tunes, which make us wish to be teleported poolside, gin and juice in one hand, vaporizer in the other. My companion dubs them “a Pitchfork Salt-N-Pepa”. The duo claps in unison to further emphasize the beat and Bitch proves a standout. At times these tunes beckon you into the boudoir. Irons and Harris-White tell us they “appreciate the love” before expertly dancing while brandishing full drinks. As we wait for the pair to kick into another track, they disappear out the centre back curtain. Quite the exit.

While we refuel, a hipster with a silver-glitter beard sashays by. Another notable look showcases an aqua parachute-material trackie that looks like it could've been stolen from the Kath & Kimderella wardrobe department. DJ MAFIA sure knows how to maintain the party vibe, and when MIA's Paper Planes becomes Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On, we're primed for the main course. As the curtains open, it's immediate bootay overload. Big Freedia sits on a throne, like the Queen Diva that she is, and her minions strike poses all around her. There are many saucy bitches onstage, presenting derrières and grinding to the beat. They're ability levels and body shapes are a mixed bag, and these locally-sourced 'dancers' take direction from Big Freedia and her imported bounce master Heather Loop throughout. MAFIA is attentive on the ones and twos and beams from behind the console. Gin 'N My System is an early highlight with Big Freedia leading the call and response, our part being: ”Somebody's gonna be my victim!” Volunteers clamber up onstage – some invited, others desperate opportunists – and too right; it's Azz Everywhere! Loop has tattooed seams up the backs of her legs with the words “Don't” and “Care” inked behind her knees; a declaration befitting Big Freedia's inclusive dance parties. The bounce aficionado sticks a pair of tassels to her butt cheeks and makes them rotate in perfect unison. But when Freedia demonstrates her own bounce skills, she reigns supreme.    

The callout goes out for boys to grace the stage. One gent sporting dungarees is obviously a professional dancer. He bounces up and down in the splits with much enthusiasm, attracting Freedia's attention, and Loop rewards him with a pair of stick-on azz tassels. Freedia directs her “Divas” into various groupings, poses and human pyramids. Some walk their feet up the stage walls for some handstand shakin'. One enthusiast wearing a pair of The Wau Wau Sisters' underpants – with “Fuck” emblazoned on the front; “Yeah” on the back – has a black stream of mascara down her face for the show's duration, none of her sistas coming to her aid. Big Freedia executes an unaccompanied rap while seated on the catwalk and when she incorporates, “Queen Diva, the dick eater all the way from New Orleans, Louisiana”, the crowd goes nutso. Closing with a number composed around the repeated phrase, “Big dick daddy,” Freedia stresses, “Please don't knock it until you try it”.

Freedia compliments a local jewellery designer called Leah whose 'golden kangaroo balls' bling the artist wears with pride this evening. Her love of our country runs deep (Big Freedia penned a song called Get Amongst It after her last tour). At the conclusion of her show, Freedia tells us she's worked very hard to get where she is today (Queen Diva came out in 2003, after all) and “bloody deserves it”, before getting teary and deserting the catwalk.