On January 2, 2025, The Roots graced Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, delivering a performance that transcended expectations and redefined what live hip hop can be. More than a concert, it was an odyssey—a richly layered narrative of sound, history, and innovation, proving once again why this Philadelphia collective is the genre’s most enduring and visionary force.
Few artists embody the depth and diversity of hip hop as authentically as The Roots. Led by the legendary tandem of drummer-producer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and MC Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, the band’s music is a kaleidoscope of African-American traditions, fusing funk, soul, jazz, and rock into a genre-defying tapestry.
The night began with an electrifying funk medley, seamlessly blending I Got My Mind Made Up and Jungle Boogie. From the first note, the energy in the Pavilion was electric—a fusion of anticipation, joy, and reverence. Yet, what set The Roots apart wasn’t just their technical brilliance; it was their ability to turn a concert into an immersive experience.
Rather than playing individual songs, The Roots wove a continuous medley, where every transition felt both organic and surprising. Two hours passed in a hypnotic blur of improvisation, storytelling, and virtuosity, leaving the audience exhilarated and craving more.
The Alchemy of Ensemble Performance
The Roots are not merely a band; they are a collective of virtuosos, each member an artist in their own right. Frontman Black Thought’s mastery of the mic was nothing short of astonishing. With effortless cadence and razor-sharp precision, he delivered lyrical symphonies that danced between the intellectual and the emotional. Whether rapping intricate verses or crooning soulful refrains, his performance was a masterclass in versatility.
Questlove, the rhythmic backbone of the group, was mesmerizing. His drumming—a blend of mechanical precision and human warmth—anchored the entire performance. Watching him seamlessly lock in with Stro Elliot’s MIDI pad was like witnessing a conversation between analog and digital, tradition and innovation.
Guitarist “Captain” Kirk Douglas was a revelation. His solos alternated between fiery bursts of energy and moments of poignant restraint. On You Got Me, his rendition of Erykah Badu’s vocals was tender and evocative, turning the track into an intimate highlight of the evening.
In a world where hip hop performances often rely on pre-recorded tracks, The Roots’ full-band setup felt revolutionary. Their concerts are not merely shows but multi-dimensional experiences. Tracks like The Seed (2.0) and You Got Me were reimagined, their arrangements enriched with new solos, unexpected key changes, and dynamic tempo shifts.
The night’s pièce de résistance was the extended version of You Got Me. Slowing the tempo and layering it with intricate guitar and keytar solos, The Roots created an entirely new emotional landscape. The audience, enraptured, sang along to Badu’s iconic chorus, their collective voices merging into a moment of shared euphoria.
Moments of Collective Joy
For all their technical brilliance, The Roots’ performance was rooted in community. The camaraderie among band members spilled effortlessly into the crowd, transforming the Pavilion into a space of unity and celebration. Black Thought’s call-and-response with the audience during You Got Me was a poignant reminder of hip hop’s origins as a communal art form.
The closing medley, anchored by The Seed (2.0), was a jubilant celebration. The stage became a riot of movement as musicians danced, marched, and played in perfect synchronicity. The effortless chemistry among the band members—each move seemingly choreographed yet entirely spontaneous—was a testament to decades of shared artistry.
With ten critically acclaimed albums, nightly appearances on The Tonight Show, and their pioneering Roots Picnicfestival, The Roots could easily rest on their laurels. Instead, they remain the vanguard of hip hop, constantly challenging the genre’s boundaries while staying true to its roots.
Their performance was a profound celebration of music’s power to connect, inspire, and transcend. For those fortunate enough to be there, it was an unforgettable journey—a reminder that, in the hands of true artists, hip hop is not just a genre but a boundless expression of human creativity.
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Words by AW.
Photo courtesy of The Roots.