New Zealand soul fire collective Fat Freddy's Drop returns for a massive party under the stars
Sydney —
The Sydney Opera House today announced that high energy New Zealand soul fire collective Fat Freddy’s Drop will perform one massive night on the Forecourt this November, as part of its monumental year-long 50th anniversary program.
Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music, Ben Marshall, says: “Fat Freddy’s Drop is an effortlessly cool, multi-headed sonic hydra of dub, techno, soul, reggae, funk and more, and one of the world’s great live bands. Their previous sell-out appearances in the Concert Hall are the stuff of legend, so we are incredibly honoured and thrilled to finally give them the keys to the city’s grandest stage, the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, as Fat Freddy’s Drop help us celebrate our 50th in the finest possible way. Vivid LIVE might be over, but music is back at the House.”
Against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour, Fat Freddy’s Drop will let loose with classics such as ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Shiverman' as well as songs from WAIRUNGA, their new album crafted during a secret outdoor performance deep in Ngāti Kahungunu country overlooking Waimarama. The seven-piece juggernaut’s Based on a True Story release back in 2005 was a nine-times platinum breakthrough record, and the accolades have continued for every release since, through to the latest drop the bush-alchemy driven WAIRUNGA album recorded sans audience.
"It’s an incredible opportunity for Freddy’s to play outdoors on the Forecourt at the iconic Sydney Opera House. Freddy’s will be match-fit after a massive Europe and UK tour, our first since the impact of COVID-19 forced us off the international tour circuit. We’ve dug deep and developed new jams, such as the WAIRUNGA bush-alchemy album, that we’ll play along with Freddy’s high-energy and uplifting classics,” said Fat Freddy’s Drop.
The Opera House Forecourt is one of the world's most spectacular outdoor performance venues, with ARIA award-winning singer-songwriter Vance Joy also set to take the stage for two unforgettable performances this November. The Forecourt has played host to legendary sold-out performances by The National, Lorde and Paul Kelly’s long-awaited Forecourt debut in 2017. In 2021, the Forecourt was the stunning backdrop to a series of free outdoor concerts featuring singer-songwriter Jack River and an Indigenous-led showcase Barrabuwari with hip-hop luminary Ziggy Ramo and the future voices of Australia.
Check out the WAIRUNGA full concert film here.
This project is proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Blockbusters Funding initiative.