When I first saw that Thundamentals were returning to Melbourne to play the Corner to launch their new album So We Can Remember, I was pretty keen to snaffle some tix. When they announced that Astronomy Class were to be the main support act – themselves having just released Mekong Delta Sunrise – you best BELIEVE I was gonna be strollin’ up Swan St come Thursday May 1 in a mixture of unreasonably baggy hip hop attire and a sensible warm over-jacket.
First thing that impressed me about this gig was the need for a second show. I’m a big wrap for the local hip hop scene and often wonder whether it gets the recognition it deserves. In this instance, clearly it has. What has perhaps worked in favour Thundamentals is the steady stream of hits they’ve dropped over the past couple of years receiving regular airplay.
Truthfully, as much as I like Thundas, I was probably more excited about seeing Astronomy Class, fronted by Sydney MC Ozi Batla from The Herd, one of my all-time favourite groups. They got things going with the title track from their new album, which was greeted by a cautious stir from an unfamiliar audience. By the time the reggae beats from Nuthin’ Nice kicked in, the crowd gave themselves over and the gap between the front of the stage and the audience was quickly filled.
The set was punctuated by tracks from the new album that they collaborated on with Cambodian star Srey Channthey, adding a little somethin’ somethin’ different to your average hip hop set. Although a touch disappointed they chose not to play Put it on Wax, they absolutely smashed it with their finale Where You At featuring local emcee Vida Sunshyne, whipping the crowd up for the impending arrival of the main act.
After a brief wait, the boys from the Blue Mountains hit the stage, and my Buddha did they own it. A few years back, these guys were just one of a bunch of emerging hip hop groups and artists worth keeping an eye on. Now they have well and truly emerged, with a legion of Thundakats – fans of the trio from up North – seemingly dwarfing the number of casual observers. And it’s easy to see why. Their songs are, lyrically, well arranged, relatable and, above all, catchy. Then there’s the coup de grace – their stage presence.
There was a bit of a Hillltop Hoods resemblance in their ease with one another and the amount of fun they have on stage, but with less separation from the fans than many other acts. These guys weren’t doing the token “make some noise” jargon that’s over-played at too many hip hop gigs. Instead, they were 100 per cent here to party with the crowd and have fun, and there wasn’t a single person in the crowd not digging it. The set itself had a nice mix of fast, slow, hard and soft beats. I was hanging for my favourite track Paint the Town Red which made an early appearance.
Other big winners were Noodle Soup, How You Been and big hits Something I Said and Smiles Don’t Lie. Perhaps the biggest singalong was saved for their triple j Like A Version cover of Matt Corby’s Brother – which, just quietly, this guy actually prefers to the original song – before they finished with an encore of their French/English collaboration with the effervescent Vida Sunshyne Check My Fresh to send the crowd out on a pumped up note.
If I may channel my inner Molly Meldrum: do yourself a favour, and check these guys out when you get the chance!
BY EBEN ROJTER
Loved: Vida Sunshyne. Voice, smile, presence…’nuff said.
Hated: Young yobs up front for Astronomy Class who spent the whole set skolling and trying to pick up.
Drank: Room temperature water. It was off-tap (see what I did there?)
