The word legend is bandied about far too freely in the music industry for my tastes. Very few deserve the title, but the crowd at the Enmore Theatre last night knew the man they came to see was one of those rare talents. You could feel the energy crackling through the air, that certain something that told us we were in the presence of greatness. That man, the myth, and the legend was the one and only George Clinton.
While the tickets told us the show started at 8, Kiwi band Drax Project were already lighting up the stage as we found our seats. I became an instant fan, impressed by their easy blend of soul, funk, and pop and youthful energy. Shaan Singh’s vocals gave me chills and his saxophone skills were the cherry on top. Watching him vibe with his bandmates was such a thrill. Apparently George Clinton and his crew have been so impressed by Drax Project’s sets that they’ve given them a little more time each night. The extended set gave them the opportunity to road test new material, which the crowds lapped up. I can’t remember the last time I heard an audience cheer when a band announced they’d play fresh originals. Being amongst such receptive music lovers hearing such incredible music was a joy.
After such an explosive opener, my expectations were sky high but if anyone could meet them it’s a legend like George Clinton, the Grandmaster of Funk. From the moment he took the stage with Parliament Funkadelic, the show was a total vibe. George was there in glitzy regalia, encouraging us all to put our hands in the air. His granddaughter Patavian Lewis was blowing bubbles and dancing up a storm in heels I could never contemplate walking in. The horns were tight, the vocalists were incredible, and I was living!
Sustaining that energy isn’t easy, but George and his crew somehow managed to keep the crowd in that rapturous space throughout their funktastic set. Big hits like “Flashlight” and “Atomic Dog,” fittingly saved for the final medley, were highlights, along with a delightfully unexpected cover of House of Pain’s “Jump Around,” but as with Drax Project the crowd lapped up everything this colourful crew delivered.
I didn’t get to see George in his prime, but no doubt he’s slowing down a little these days. There was a chair conveniently placed on the stage for him to rest whenever he needed. He’d take a moment to gather his breath before moving back to the front of the stage and continuing to give it his all. His vocals are limited these days, but he surrounds himself with exceptional singing talents, taking on the role of the captain overseeing a super-talented ship. On a personal note I was thrilled to see Uche, who I cheered on during American Idol in 2019, is now a part of Parliament Funkadelic. His exceptional vocals and dance moves, which the judges sometimes criticised for being too much, are perfect for a show like this. But every member of Parliament Funkadelic was exceptional.
Last night’s George Clinton show was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It was a total vibe. I feel privileged to have spent a few hours basking in the aura of George Clinton and the incredible musicians he gathered for us on this Aussie tour.
Photo credit: Lauren Katulka