DaM-Funk at The Lantern in Bristol review

Image: Dam-Funk

As one of just three UK tour dates, the discerning music fans of Bristol who made it down to the Lantern on Friday evening were fortunate enough to capture an electrifying show from Damon Riddick, better known by his stage name DaM-Funk.

The LA resident, who is regarded as “Los Angeles’ ambassador of boogie-funk” came up the ranks as a session musician during the late eighties to nineties, having contributed his musical talents to records by the likes of Ice Cube, Mack 10 and MC Eiht.

After signing to Stones Throw records in 2007 and becoming an artist in his own right, the highly esteemed label recently released his 2nd studio album Invite the Light, which follows up his 2009 debut long player Twoeachizown.

For what seemed like a massive test of patience for the mixed audience inside the Colston Hall’s Lantern venue awaiting Mr Funk, it was a sign that they were in for one thrilling, intergalactic ride into funkmosphere.

Although it was a long wait before the show began (00:30), the anticipation paid off as the man they came to see sure delivered.

From the moment DaM-Funk took to the stage, the crowd were fully immersed, spending the night getting down to the producer’s cosmic twist on synth-driven funk that he often refers to as “Modern Funk”. 

In recent years DaM has gigged as a one-man-band following the untimely passing of his former drummer J-1, but Friday’s performance found his set up once again expanded to two additional musicians – one being a new drummer, the second a synth-player, who also switched between bass guitar throughout the show on several songs. 

Nestled behind a tiered set of vintage synths and a microphone, the Pasadena-bred artist crooned his way through a number of tracks from Invite the Light. This included current single ‘We Continue’ which he opened up the show with, to ‘Somewhere, Someday’, and later on in the set the epic space romp ‘O.B.E.’.

The latter track being a stand out piece from the album, that was finely translated live and received lively cheers of appreciation. 

Among some of the other highlights from the set were the Roger Troutman channelling ‘Mirrors’ that saw DaM strap on a keytar and robotise his vocals through a vocoder.

Unsurprisingly the song got a huge round of applause from the crowd not only for the sheer irresistibleness of the music, but also for the nostalgia aspect that equally appeased to those who actually grew up in the eighties and the retro-clad hipster contingent.

While the smooth as butter rendition of ‘Stepping into my life’ found DaM fervently singing his heart out and dedicating the number “To the ladies in the house” - and judging by the beaming smiles of joy on many of those female faces and the vivacious hip-swaying - it’s clear they were sweetened by the deep sultry sounds provided by the musician and his side men.

Vocal-wise, DaM-Funk was on top form and sounded as confident as ever on the night. He specifically opted to perform some of his most vocal-led songs, and delivered each one with aplomb.

It’s very apparent that the artist has truly found his voice as singer in the last few years. With some inspiration possibly down to his increasing collaborative projects with vocalists, that include former Slave frontman Steve Arrington and iconic rapper Snoop Dogg, who as a duo record under the guise, 7 Days of Funk.

There were also plenty of moments where DaM displayed his dexterity on the keys, that ranged from funky George Duke style licks to wailing guitar-like synth solo’s that recall Prince's Purple Rain era

His fellow band members also took the opportunity to show off their talents on a number of songs, several of which were occasionally protracted beyond their original lengths into futuristic freestyle jams. 

Come the end of the gig which was concluded with a rousing version of ‘Burn Rubber’ (listen above) - the producers breakthrough remix for label mate Baron Zen – the crowd was completely funktified.

With DaM-Funk carrying the torch for Modern funk, and staying true to its roots, the genre is in very safe hands, as all who were present at his show would attest. 

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