Photos by David Harris
Acclaimed Canadian ensemble BADBADNOTGOOD wrapped up their 2024 Mid Spiral Australian tour with an impressive show at St.Kilda’s Palais Theatre. The audience consisted of jazz heads, young and old, hipsters and curious music fans eager to hear an eclectic mix of music.
Amiable Londoner, DJ, broadcaster, cultural historian and writer Haseeb Iqbal heated up the crowd with an infectious DJ set, incorporating an array of reggae and other world music rhythms.
Upon arrival to the stage, BADBADNOTGOOD had Black Sabbath’s War Pigs (didn’t see that one coming!) booming out of the PA before drummer Al Sow took to the mic to tell us it was the final show of their tour. “We’ve had an incredible life changing time,” he says as he welcomes us to their incredible Mid Spiral audio visual experience via live 16mm projections to the screen behind them. It had been a decade since the band first graced our city, playing then to a compact crowd at the humble Laundry Bar. “We’re overjoyed and overwhelmed to be playing this beautiful theatre,” he said while prodding the audience to move, starting with Eyes On Me, featuring Al on his silver sparkle kit laying down a solid latin groove including some heavy tom tom pounding.
Asking then if we believe in alien life, the dynamic band launched into the synth-heavy Take Me With You featuring some tasteful guitar licks. All the while Al encourages our involvement, rousing us, constantly adding to the excitement of the event. Sticking with material from their new album Mid Spiral, they lead us into a soulful, chilled version of Weird & Wonderful. Confession from their III next offers Leland Whitty a chance to melt us with his mesmerising sax playing. Keyboard player Felix Fox-Pappas leads the band into more stirring Latin rhythms on Sétima Regra and the crowd react accordingly, hipshakin’ along, as the band build to an inspiring climax.
Midway through the show Al suggests we take a seat and listen to some beautiful tenor sax on Unfolding (Momentum 73) but beforehand asks us to collectively take a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh to get into the mood, as the amazing projections reflect the created vibe. Continuing the collaborative theme, we’re given more vocal exercises as part of their tune Talk Meaning. An extended Last Laugh has the entire room up and dancing with our hearts and minds tagging along for the ride and then we’re asked to jump. At this point we’re primed and ready for anything.
Ending with The Chocolate Conquistadors (From Grand Theft Auto Online: The Cayo Perico Heist) as the encore, the band move from slow burner to intoxicating samba in a heartbeat. A percussive explosion takes us to the finish line.
BADBADNOTGOOD is an excitement machine, generating heartfelt, contagious rhythms and provoking all kinds of emotions. It’s music made by real musicians, feeding off each other and the energy of the crowd. It’s a universe away from the commercially packaged, hit spewing, backing track, mimed, mega concerts we pay way too much to see. It’s exhilarating music to be experienced through your soul not your smartphone.
BADBADNOTGOOD members tonight were: Al Sow, Chester Hansen and Leland Whitty joined by their close friends and collaborators, BADBADNOTGOOD touring member Felix Fox-Pappas (keys), Toronto jazz musicians Kaelin Murphy (trumpet), Juan Carlos Medrano Magallenes (percussion) and LA musician Tyler Lott (guitar).
