Ever since the self-proclaimed “Legendary Roots Crew” became the house band for comedian Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night Show With Jimmy Fallon in 2009, it has become a rarity to catch the iconic rap/hip hop/jazz formation live in concert.
On one hand, it’s great that such a talented and versatile group of musicians are broadcasted to millions of American TV screens five nights a week; on the other hand, it’s a shame that the band, who used to play up to 300 gigs annually, can now only be seen at a handful of prestigious jazz festivals in Europe every summer.
However, the organisers behind the Falls Festival managed to bring the rap pioneers Down Under. It’s a massive achievement for Falls to score such a world class headliner – an act that might be better suited entertaining the masses at Big Day Out or the connoisseur crowd at Byron Bay’s Bluesfest.
As well as performing at the New Year’s Eve festival, Sydneysiders and Melburnians got a late Christmas treat when the group played two sideshows.
Local rapper Urthboy opened to a quarter-full venue, but that didn’t diminish his enthusiasm in the slightest. Together with a female singer and small backing band, the Aussie MC adamantly made maximum use of every minute in his short set. In return, he received a good response from the early birds present.
The Roots became known in the late 90s for tearing down barriers between musical genres as well as their unique live performance. Even in the early days, their concerts were continuously spectacular – not in the least because of human beatboxers Rahzel and Scratch (who have long since left the band).
The only remaining members of the original line-up are the two founders: rapper Black Thought and, of course, drummer ?uestlove. The percussionist is known for his laidback grooves and world-famous fro, which was hidden underneath a red beanie during the gig. In addition to the shades-wearing frontman and the iconic teddy bear behind the drum kit, The Roots have some spectacular new performers.
Throughout the last 10 years, The Roots have evolved from a groundbreaking, genre-bending live act into slick virtuosos with dance moves.
The band energetically performing ‘Jungle Boogie’ early on in the set, a performance that was similar to what you might see at a Earth, Wind & Fire, or Kool & The Gang concert.
The urge to experiment still remains strongly rooted in the band. After a completely out-there keyboard solo (that was quite hard on the ears and the only down point of the otherwise amazing gig), the crowd was treated to a tuba solo that the brilliantly-named showman, Tuba Gooding Jr., performed while walking through the stands of the venue.
As well as the tuba tunes, the crowd went wild when Black Thought let the group’s “String Assassin”, Captain James Kirk, take the reins. Kirk started his eclectic solo spot with jazzy, scat-guitar versions of Bruno Mars’ ‘Locked Out Of Heaven’ and Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’, making both sound similar to the smooth tunes you might hear by George Benson or Al Jarreau.
Via snippets of Donna Summer’s ‘Love To Love You Baby’ and Stevie Wonder’s ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing’, the guitar virtuoso then led the whole band into a rocking rendition of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Sweet Child O’Mine’. Those who thought they’d seen it all then witnessed a rap group playing a Guns N’ Roses song with a tuba. Really.
The surprises didn’t stop there. The band seamlessly switched from hard rock to blues, including a grooving version of ‘Bad To The Bone’ by George Thorogood and the howling Led Zeppelin number ‘Immigrant Song’. After the medley, The Roots returned to their own classics, including ‘How I Got Over’, ‘Here I Come’, and ‘The Seed 2.0’.
The celebration of varied music styles was a truly spectacular experience. Despite being hailed as one of the most riveting live acts on the planet, The Roots still somehow managed to exceed expectations.
Setlist
The Next Movement
What They Do
Step Into the Realm
The Fire
Please Don’t Go
Proceed
Get Busy
Jungle Boogie (Kool & The Gang cover)
Questlove/Knuckles Drums & Percussion solo
Mellow My Man
Keyboard Solo
Tuba Solo
Break You Off
You Got Me
Captain Kirk solo (with Heaven by Bruno Mars,Somebody that I used to know by Gotye & Love to Love You by Donna Summer)
Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing (Stevie Wonder cover)
Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N’ Roses cover)
Bad to the Bone (George Thorogood cover)
Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover)
How I Got Over
Here I Come
The Seed (2.0)
Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield cover)
Men at Work (Kool G Rap & DJ Polo cover)
