Live Review: Thundamentals, Baro, Dazed & Flawlezz

With the school year just one week in, the University of Sydney’s Manning Bar was bubbling with youth and excitement for the opening show of the Elephant In The Room tour from Thundamentals.

A sold-out show is always a great place to expose yourself to a new audience. The hip hop collaborative, Dazed & Flawlezz, both experienced emcees in their own right, bounded around the stage with energy, promoting their latest material. Apparently a new EP is due out soon, but to be honest, it was hard to know.

When you’re about to turn 18 and you’re joining one of the biggest hip hop acts in the country on their national tour, you’re sure to need some relaxants to help you out. Baro was certainly relaxed as he took over the stage with his DJ and prowled the stage belting out his low-key, jazz-inspired hip hop. He sings about cigarettes, weed and good times. Hey, why not?

The ‘Thundakat’ fans flowed onto the dancefloor as we prepared to welcome the Thundamentals crew to the stage. DJ Morgs and Tommy Fiasko warmed up the crowd, which was hardly necessary. They were pumped.

The show was a greatest hits of their career to date, playing no less than seven tracks from their acclaimed album, So We Can Remember. Expert scratching from Morgs and live trumpet from Fiasko added the extra layer to their show that we’ve come to expect from the Blue Mountain boys. The show was tight and well produced and the crowd eagerly lapped it up. Got Love, Quit Your Job and the Matt Corby cover, Brother, all received huge receptions.

Thundamentals have a great ability to convey how much fun they’re having on stage that ultimately translates to the audience leaving them with huge smiles on their faces. Because, as we know, Smiles Don’t Lie.