Few artists blur the lines between jazz, funk, soul, and cosmic eccentricity quite like Thundercat. Known for his virtuosic bass work, psychedelic humor, and collaborations with everyone from Kendrick Lamar to Flying Lotus, he’s carved out a sound that’s unmistakably his own, equal parts heartfelt, chaotic, and transcendent. Tuesday night at the Fillmore in Denver, that signature blend came to life in full force, but not before the crowd was warmed up by an opener who knew exactly how to set the tone.
Photos by Noah Deassuncao
Nothing kicks off a night quite like a healthy dose of 808s. DJ Simone Says lit up the Fillmore on Tuesday with a set packed full of funky mixes and unexpected mashups. Pulling from dance classics like Al Green and “Gypsy Woman,” she stripped familiar tracks down to their bones and rebuilt them into something entirely new. It was nearly impossible to stay still; if you weren’t on your feet, at the very least your head was nodding. What began as a small ripple of movement quickly grew into full-blown currents of energy until, before anyone realized it, the room transformed into a full-on storm of dancing. Her set was the perfect remedy, turning a steady stream of arrivals into a sea of bobbing heads and good vibes.
Then the lights dimmed, the music dropped, and BAM, Thundercat burst onto the stage with a surge of energy the crowd couldn’t have anticipated. Armed with his sleek, cherry-red Asuka bass, he launched into an uptempo, bass-driven jazz onslaught that shook the room. You’re reminded immediately that this level of precision and beauty is the kind of craftsmanship usually reserved for Swiss watches.
Photos by Noah Deassuncao
His Rolodex of tunes, talents, and taste swung effortlessly from blistering solo jazz breakdowns to a run of fan-favorite hits like “What’s the Use,” “Walk On By,” and “No More Lies.” The night felt complete, and the bass anchored everything. The awe I carried through the pit during those first three songs was unreal. I mean, how often do you watch one cool cat tear across a fretboard, top to bottom, left to right, in under 30 seconds and still land it with grace?
Watching Thundercat perform is an out-of-body experience you don’t realize you’re having until you snap back to reality. More than once, I caught myself literally picking my jaw off the floor after the musical wisdom he dropped without warning. How do you fit that much funk into the Fillmore? One thing’s for sure: he found a way.
Photos by Noah Deassuncao
After a 24-song set, plus plenty of off-the-cuff jam sessions woven throughout, the crowd was left in pure awe. Nearly two hours later, the night closed beneath waves of purple and red light washing over the packed venue, sealing the room in the grooves and cosmic funk that only Thundercat can deliver.
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Keep up with Thundercat on social media and streaming:
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