Fat Freddy’s Drop @ Sydney Opera House

Theory: you are either a fan of Fat Freddy’s Drop, or you haven’t heard of them. If you are in the latter category, seeing them live is the best introduction. The band’s trumpeter Toby Laing has said, “Live performance is the most natural state for music,” and anyone who has experienced one of Fat Freddy’s notorious jams will know they practise what they preach. The Kiwi eight-piece (including rapper MC Slave) has always written music for the stage – and in comparison the recordings seem like a necessary formality.

It seems like most fans here already have seen them live, which might explain why from the moment Fat Freddy’s took the stage – which was in the middle of the room – the seats were totally forgotten. Dressed sharply in an array of suits, fedoras and dark sunglasses, they wouldn’t have looked out of place in a smoky New Orleans jazz club.

The opening to ‘Blackbird’ was given an explosive treatment from the brass section. Trombonist Joe Lindsay couldn’t contain himself for long, twirling the instrument around. Eventually, he was in a singlet and white shorts, giving Miley Cyrus a run for her money in the booty-shaking department. During ‘Russia’ it was hard to know where to look when MC Slave also started running around to high-five the crowd between rapping, “You feel it in the rhythm / And you feel it in your heart”. In contrast, singer Dallas Tamaira kept up an impenetrable air of cool, not even removing his shades. At one point he asked, “Are you are all just happy because you had the day off?”

A huge part of Fat Freddy’s charm, of course, is their unabashed love of music. Where any other band would come off either cheesy or conceited, they manage to bring the crowd up to their level. Even though newer material from Blackbird had a fresh intensity, it was undeniable that older songs like ‘Cay’s Crays’ were highlights. This was partly because of the crowd’s response – these are the closest to ‘hit singles’ Fat Freddy’s will play live.

There may be no such thing as universally loved music, but Fat Freddy’s are not far off it. The great irony is, they couldn’t care less about being popular – they’re in it for the unadulterated passion. It’s their willingness to share it that keeps people coming back.