Thundercat entertains the crowd at Kemba Live! in Columbus, OH with a solo show sandwiched in between opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Things have changed as far as live performances go since the start of the pandemic, and we haven’t fully recovered. People are allowed to return to events, and are no longer required to wear masks or show proof of vaccination although there is still a fear of the unknown affecting ticket sales. The recent price spike in gasoline, food, housing, and energy is also a factor in the decline of ticket sales. The crowds just aren’t filling in the venues like they had been … yet.
An hour after doors opened, it looked like this might have been another show that would have benefited from rescheduling the date. Just a half hour later, however, Thundercat took the stage and suddenly the indoor venue for KEMBA Live! was absolutely packed. Despite all these things, people made it out to enjoy an evening with Thundercat to keep their minds off the political, economical, and social landscape.
Stephen Lee Bruner AKA Thundercat knows what it means to have an escape from the harshness of the day-to-day, and the importance of making it a healthy retreat. He proudly announced being four years sober to the crowd — “Some things are meant to change. I’m still here guys.” The crowd cheered him on for his success.
Going solo as a bassist and vocalist is one major accomplishment, but transcending genres to create this sound is boldly going where no man has gone before. Still, this two-time Grammy-award winner cares not for being taken too seriously.
The lights dim, and this eccentric pop-culture fanatic with a keen love for nostalgia emerged from the mouth of a giant cat head. He wore an eclectic ensemble of three diamond Gucci hair barrettes, four dermal piercings, and a custom diamond and gold Sonic the Hedgehog chain necklace while playing a brand new Asuka Langley Soryu custom Ibanez six-string with matching strap.
Thundercat and his seated companions, drummer Justin Brown and keyboardist Dennis Hamm, gifted the audience with melody, rhythm, and humor. They create an atmosphere that puts you at ease and makes you feel you are among friends.
The first time we heard his voice, outside of his falsetto vocals, he mentioned the new Dragonball movie. He then went on to introduce the next song about his favorite musician, “I Love Louis Cole.” With lyrics like “It’s just more fun when you come around, Even if I act up, You let me know that I’m not crazy”, it’s an endearing song about their friendship. That is how Thundercat’s live performance hits you. Even when the lyrics turn heavy in songs like “Unrequited Love,” the notes are still soothing.
The phrase “leave your worries at the door” is a common one, and although, not enforced that night, Thundercat helped us leave it all behind for an hour or two.
