Femi Kuti slays them in the aisles – REVIEW

Last night the City Recital Hall reverberated to Afrobeats from Nigerian musical royalty Femi Kuti and his 12 piece Positive Force band.

At first the audience observed the protocols of the hallowed venue and nodded their heads in recognition of the pumping rhythms and beats, but by the third song the majority of the stalls had broken out of their seats and headed to the stage apron.

Despite the whole band suffering from jet lag having arrived in Australia the previous day Kuti was all about business from the first number.

Strutting the stage, Kuti stared down the audience before picking up his saxophone and giving it a blast that made you know that this was Afrobeats with a difference.

The musical line up of four horns, keyboards, drums, percussion, guitar, bass is more reminiscent of a classical soul review than the bands fronted by Kuti’s famous father, and what comes out is his own take on the genre that is the music of the western African diaspora.

The music is embellished by three energetic female singers and dancers who provide colour and displays of twerking that leave Beyonce in the shade.

Coming from a family who have long been engaged in activism Kuti comes with messages on climate change, corruption and political engagement that he manages to deliver without breaking the momentum.

If there is any criticism, it is that the horns were held back in the mix and the spot lights were directed at the audience for the first few numbers.

For those lucky enough to be at the Blues Festival this weekend be sure to see this travelling carnival of beats and grooves.

www.bluesfest.com.au/artist/femi-kuti-the-positive-force/