Surprise! Delight! Superb! Surprise Chef said hello at Brisbane's The Princess Theatre Thursday night as part of Open Season 2025. We said hello back, and had a little dance.
Locals, Desmond Cheese opened the night's entertainment (19 June). To quote an audience member: "Wait?! This is not the headliner?!" Funky, smooth, chill-hop beats grabbed the attention of the eager audience quickly. Accompanied by guests MC Roman, and flutist Haitch, we were hyped for what's to come.Next up: Wow! Surprise Chef. If you came to the show wanting abrasiveness, I have bad news for you. They had me picturing lying in a recliner next to the open fire with a warm whiskey. They had a smooth, complete and full sound. What does that mean?
It is sometimes hard to describe as nothing quite stands out. A recipe for a complete dish: drums, bass, guitar, synthesiser, assorted percussion pieces; everything is where it should be at the right time. The dynamic is subtle – no dramatic solos or expectations for audience participation; we're all just happy to be here.
I'm sure musical theorists could explain in rabbit-hole detail what goes into making music so seamless from page to page; but as a layman, I ignorantly reclined and enjoyed.
Surprise Chef - image © Kalem Horn
My personal favourite was their percussionist, Hudson Whitlock. Distiller Hudson produced a blanco-grade atmosphere on his two tequila bottles. Jester Hudson tapped a cheeky glockenspiel melody that kept things light. Baker Hudson sprinkled sugar flour, he shook the 'doohickey' (flexatone) over the band's tasty muffin of a song.
If you don't mind, I have prepared further evidence of the unshakable ripples and vibrations of Surprise Chef. Like a watertight submarine, they showed no cracks or falter when Lachlan Stuckey's guitar string broke (he blamed Queensland's humidity, LOL).
Despite the emergency guitar surgery, the groove was held down and unbroken. Drummer Andrew Congues and bassist Carl Lindeberg took roll call on rhythm. Keyboardist Jethro Curtin covered the bars with overarching chords, gluing movements together. Hudson added spice with his acoustic percussion for exotic flavour.
Surprise Chef - image © Kalem Horn
As if this was all planned, we all sat patiently in the pocket snuggled up, happily kicked back for news from the doctor. Back to our regular programming, in record time, surgeon Lachlan returned post-op to applause. If anything, his unexpected pause added greater dynamic for his soft re-entry forming a unique piece of music for the night.
Surprise Chef maintained butter smoothness that's ready for your breakfast toast. Once again, Open Season greeted me with exciting opportunity. Surprise Chef had been on my to-see list for quite some time and I found their performance quite enjoyable.
Hopefully next time is BYOBB (bring your own bean bag); I will get all lovely and comfy for round two.
More photos from the concert.
