It’s amazing to think that Jurassic 5 are still going.
After the hype that surrounded their debut EP, which resulted in 'Concrete Schoolyard' becoming an indie-disco staple, their subsequent releases offered little progression, leaning heavily on old-school nostalgia. While their peers became more successful, and backpacker hip hop became a real thing, J5 became a comfortable and safe alternative receiving mostly positive reviews, but modest sales. They retained a core, loyal fan-base, though not long after the release of their fourth album, Cut Chemist left and the group disbanded.
Click here for photos from the show.
Now over 20 years since their inception, J5 are back with their original line-up recording new material and touring the world again, and as with all reunion’s you always have to ask “what are the motives”?
J5 - Image © Daniel FosterThough each, individual member continued to be active, Charli 2na played in Brisbane just a few months back, none has had any greater success than they achieved as a collective. However, just five minutes of seeing their on-stage chemistry and camaraderie melts away any doubts that there’s any reluctance or misgivings here. What else would you expect from the nicest guys in hip hop?
Much like their frequent collaborators Ozomatli, J5 always were a band that shone brightest on stage. Whether through synchronised, dance moments, crowd participation or just the contagiousness of their energy and positivity in everything they do, you don’t need to like the music to have fun if you want to. Playing a career-spanning set they performed with the energy of men half their age, though the pace became too much for Zakir at one point, prompting a little sit down.
J5 - Image © Daniel FosterNot wanting to be outshone by the others, Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark took centre stage for a DJ break, leaving the MCs behind to perform with improvised, wearable decks in the shape of a huge mandolin.
By the time the encore rolled around, Charli 2na goaded an audience member into naming a song they thought they wouldn't play, so the band could do it and prove him wrong. Despite the lack of preparation, they just about pulled it off, despite Zakir forgetting some of the lyrics as they played though ‘Remember His Name’.
You wondered how on board the others were with this approach as they ably performed ‘Radio’ and ‘Great Expectations’, but despite their concerns they sounded surprisingly tight and gave the night an unscripted, impromptu feel. The new White Stripes-sampling track ‘The Way We Do It’ slots in nicely garnering a bit of excitement for new material, but it’s for ‘What’s Golden’ that the biggest cheers came.
J5 - Image © Daniel FosterJurassic 5 may not have changed the world like people once expected them to, but that was never what they were about. It’s not luck alone that brought the demand for this reunion, and being such an engaging and fun, live act even if they just continue to perpetually tour, I don’t think anyone will be complaining.
Click here for more photos from the show.
