This euphoric gig was one for music nerds. And regular nerds.
Thundercat delivered a dynamic and improvisational performance at PICA, blending experimental jazz, funk, and pop with technical mastery and humor. His virtuosic bass playing and distinctive falsetto created a unique, immersive experience that resonated with both music aficionados and casual fans. The show balanced high-energy improvisation with heartfelt storytelling, showcasing his range as a musician and performer.
- ▪Thundercat, also known as Stephen Lee Bruner, performed at PICA on May 15 with a band featuring Dennis Hamm on keys and Justin Brown on percussion.
- ▪His performance emphasized improvisation, often diverging from recorded versions of songs, creating what felt like first-time musical moments.
- ▪The concert blended genres including jazz, funk, and pop, while incorporating geek culture references and personal narratives about masculinity and relationships.
Sydney Morning Herald publishes from Australia and files mainly under world. We currently carry 3,447 of its stories.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","dateModified":"2026-05-17T02:27:52Z","datePublished":"2026-05-14T01:59:09Z","description":"In a full-bodied performance that defied genre, we were hearing sounds likely played for the first time.","headline":"This euphoric gig was one for music nerds. And regular nerds.","keywords":"Melbourne live reviews, Just in, For subscribers, Arts, See & Do, What’s on, Performing arts, Review, Review, Review, Review, Victoria, Screens Ooh! The Age","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Kosa Monteith","jobTitle":"Kosa Monteith","url":"/by/kosa-monteith-p53775"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Cameron Woodhead"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Rose Lu","jobTitle":"Rose Lu","url":"/by/rose-lu-p538md"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Andrew…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.