On Wednesday night, I saw Fatboy Slim at the Riverstage in Brisbane. And can I just say, what a jol! Jol is an Afrikaans word meaning to party or have fun, and I can't think of a better word to describe Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim's show on Wednesday night.
Jol – 'Club' Or 'To Party' Or 'To Have Fun' To jol means to let loose and have fun! Whether you're at a club or house party, it means that you're having fun
The show started with a smiley face being 'lasered' into the LED screen at the back of the stage. Cook then pops up from behind the DJ booth where he's been crouching the whole time, and suddenly you have Freddy Mercury belting out, 'Don't stop me now!' as the crowd takes up the chorus, singing in perfect unison.
From the get-go, he had me hooked. I don't quite know what I was expecting. I knew that Fatboy Slim was prominent in the 90s, and 'Right Here Right Now' is easily one of the world's most instantly recognisable songs. So, there wasn't a shadow of a doubt in my mind that I would enjoy the concert. However, I am decidedly middle age these days, and it was on a school night, so the fact that he could inspire me to dance non-stop for 2-hours should count as a major compliment to his talent as a DJ.
House DJ's concerts typically feature high-energy, rhythmic beats and infectious melodies that keep the crowd dancing. The DJ naturally creates a seamless flow of music, transitioning between tracks and building up the energy with each song.
Cook seemed to employ a mixture of a traditional House DJ set with rave elements. Fatboy Slim is known for his electrifying performances, blending elements of house, techno, and breakbeat. Wednesday night delivered all of these elements. The concert was a celebration of dance music. And whilst at the age of 59, Cook can be excused for toning down his onstage antics, when he did get going, it set the whole crowd on fire. He's such a seasoned performer, offering this dynamic presence on stage, knowing just when to turn to a camera and lip sync along to a song, when to put on a mask, and when to go out into the audience to hug his fans. How he engaged with the audience during his performance truly energised his fans.
Along with his physical presence on the stage, his performance was accompanied by an impressive light show. It was an electrifying spectacle of vivid colours, bright strobes, and pulsing patterns that perfectly complemented the beats of his music. I was blown away by how carefully the lighting effects were choreographed and synchronised to the music, enhancing the overall sensory experience of the concert. Cook's contribution to the performance was also incredibly well-rehearsed Cook's. He never missed a beat, knowing exactly when to turn to a camera and where to stand on the stage, betraying attention to detail, which must surely have significantly contributed to his reputation as an electrifying act.
The visuals combined laser lights and LED screens that ran clips of celebrities performing Fatboy Slim tracks. A popular one was Christopher Walken's dance performance in the 2001 'Weapon of Choice music video. Other cameos included Idris Elba and Eliza Rose (below) singing.
By the end of the 2-hour set, I was a sweaty mess, hating myself for wearing corduroy trousers instead of something lightweight and sensible. Several people in the audience looked like they'd had a bit too much fun and were lumbering around like zombies, bumping into others. Two notable things about the audience were a complete and utter absence of any aggression, as well as Fatboy Slim's appeal to a diverse audience of both young and old partygoers. All age groups were in attendance, and quite clearly, he appealed to a wide age bracket. It didn't feel like your typical concert where parents take their kids or visa-versa.
If you ever get the chance to catch one of his performances, I couldn't recommend it more highly. He was simply great, and the concert was epic!