Snarky Puppy
15th April 2019
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Mike Beck. Photography by Chris Zwaagdyk.
Boy have these boys got some chops! With the emphasis on youth (collectively they’re a relatively young crew), Snarky Puppy are one of the ‘it’ bands when it comes to instrument mastery, high skill sets & precision playing. And an almost at capacity Powerstation in Auckland were treated to just that last night as Snarky Puppy’s live sound came through just as accurate and cohesive as they do on record (or digital format, as many a cool kid is going for these days).
What you got last night was a super-tight nine-piece ensemble, performing nine lengthy compositions, and it’s highly probable that they hold at least nine music degrees between them. Gotta be, right? That’s because Snarky Puppy is the brainchild of founder/composer/producer & bassist Michael League, a jazz academic who has branched out to create a multi-genre instrumental band (with jazz-based foundations) affectionately known as ‘the fam’. They are named so as the musicians involved have the understanding that changes in personnel is a constant, whilst exceptionally high standards in contribution are expected, as is pride in performance between them all.
Following hot on the heels of their latest studio effort (which has also propelled them out onto the recently commenced world tour), Snarky Puppy built their evenings’ performance around Immigrance – released exactly a month ago – lifting five songs from it. Their set opener however was occupied by ‘Semente’ a track off their previous album ‘Culcha Vulcha’. It was immediately evident that Snarky Puppy had come to play, the crystal-clear sound production backing them up, and giving justice to their unified, lofty musicianship. The clarity out front was much appreciated by both an anticipated high percentage of muso’s in house, as well as many aficionados alike in attendance.
A sequence of three numbers off Immigrance followed; ‘Bad Kids to the Back’, it’s playful funky groove making way for drummer Jason ‘JT’ Thomas to solo while the band vamped underneath him. With a reputation preceding him, Thomas lived up to expectations in being one of the standout performers on the night. It was also heartening to hear afterward that he’d given a local young drummer – who had hit him up on Instagram – a music lesson just prior to the commencement of the show.
The ominous & spacious ‘Coven’ followed, the flowing execution of its 7/8-time signature reminding everyone just how well these lads can mould a musical piece together and make it appear seamless. ‘Chonks’ completed the trio of new tunes, its dirty funk feels enabling everyone to loosen the reins a bit, especially their crack guitarist Chris McQueen.
Snarky Puppy shifted a few years and a couple of gears for a brace off 2012’s groundUP; ‘Young Stuff’ giving Snarky Puppys’ horn section a chance to shine, while League showcased his fine electric bass work during a solo. A drum solo soon emerged underneath Leagues’, breaking tradition/convention with either independent improvisation or exchanges/trades. The retro ‘Thing of Gold’ could have almost come from a 70’s TV sitcom, if it weren’t for its sophisticated syncopation giving it a point of difference.
Back to two more from Immigrance, the spritely ‘Xavi’ asked for audience participation, the clapping of a 3 over 4 signature negotiated well by the educated bunch in attendance. During their penultimate number, League acknowledged the heartfelt response from the people of NZ after the horrific attacks last month in Christchurch, paying homage with a haunting rendition of the ballad ‘Even Us’; the extended trumpet solo keeping everyone momentarily in sombre contemplation as it echoed ‘The Last Post’.
A one song encore was to follow, ‘Lingus’ (from 2014’s ‘We Like It Here’), closing the Snarky ones set off on an upbeat/boisterous note. The slightly shorter than usual play time (including a brief bracket from support artist DJ Boomtown) felt about right for a Monday evening.
It’s clear to hear how Snarky Puppy gained Grammy attention, picking up three of them along their career path to date. Their ability to tackle arrangements with such high facility, combined with a will to work together and lift each other up as a musical unit (along with collective educational backgrounds), places them above many. They’ve got a good thing going, and the relatively high overheads of touring a larger ensemble, should balance out without the need for exorbitant riders & extensive wardrobes (casual dress-codes are their modus operandi).
Snarky Puppy; helping to reveal that underneath the synthetic veneer of the music industry, musicians and musicianship alike continue to expand & improve.
Were you there at the Powerstation for this celebration of music? Or have you seen Snarky Puppy perform live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Semente
- Bad Kids To The Back
- Coven
- Chonks
- Young Stuff
- Thing Of Gold
- Xavi
- Even Us
- Lingus [encore]
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