Thundercat, live in yo girls’ city.
The bassist’s unique catalog, magnetic personality, and unrivaled musical skill mesmerized audiences at The Salt Shed on October 12th, 2023.
artwork by Eliana Schiller.
Stephen Lee Bruner, better known as Thundercat, is one of the most widely respected bass players of this generation. He has earned multiple GRAMMYs for Best Rap/Sung Performance (“These Walls”) and Best Progressive R&B Album (It Is What It Is) and has performed with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Yet, despite his many accolades and widespread acclaim, Bruner refuses to stifle his individuality to placate the mainstream. Indeed, Bruner’s October 12th performance at The Salt Shed was unapologetically and quintessentially Thundercat.
Performing live in Chicago for the first time since 2021’s It Is What It Is Tour, approximately two thousand people attended Bruner’s In Yo Girl’s City Tour at The Salt Shed. As fans lined up to enter the venue, the energy in the air was palpable. With many arriving hours before the concert was set to start, fans kept their spirits high by sharing drinks and stories. As soon as the doors opened, dozens took off through security, hoping to get as close to Bruner as they could.
As the opening set wrapped up and the night grew later, thousands of eager fans intently watched the stage, waiting for any sign of Thundercat. Minutes passed without any movement on stage and the crowd could barely contain its excitement. Suddenly, smoke began to seep out of the mouth of the giant cat-like sculpture that rested on stage and music slowly began to play. At first it was difficult to discern the music from the crowd’s cheers, but as it got louder, Mac Miller’s voice grew distinct. Bruner, one of Miller’s closest friends throughout his career, then marched out on stage while wielding his legendary six-string bass guitar. Wearing Cowboy Bebop-themed sweatpants, a plain black shirt, a red beanie, and a Neon Genesis Evangelion guitar strap, Bruner’s presence was magnetic.
Bruner’s live show consisted of longer, alternate versions of his studio songs. No piece matched the length of its original release, with most lasting upwards of eight to ten minutes. Additionally, the style of music shifted from Bruner’s typical funk and soul to something reminiscent of acid jazz, with an emphasis on technique. The audio mix made it hard to separate Bruner’s vocals from the accompaniment: while this was initially frustrating, Thundercat’s undeniable skill on bass more than made up for it.
Bruner’s ability was the highlight of the evening. He mesmerized the audience as he unleashed a torrent of riffs and solos throughout the night. What was truly surprising was the depth of his set’s catalog. Bruner’s most popular songs often consist of fast tempos, catchy hooks, and a groundedness in the modern funk genre. While classic Thundercat hits like “Black Qualls” and “Them Changes” were enjoyable, the real standouts were pieces like “Interstellar Love” where Bruner dedicated a considerable time just playing his bass for what seemed like hours on end, improvising a few instrumental lines. The audience hung on every note.
Contributing to the captivating performance was Bruner’s unique persona. He is a self-described “anime nerd” with a deep love for Japan and its culture. This radiated through his performance as Bruner often would give short anecdotes between songs, speaking on seemingly anything that came to mind. Though they were sometimes absurd, many of the stories were heartwarming. These anecdotes really added to the atmosphere of the evening and allowed the audience to relate to Bruner on a personal level.
One especially great moment was when Bruner took the time to speak about beloved Japanese composer Hitoshi Sakimoto. Known for his work on a plethora of Japanese video games, Sakimoto was a huge inspiration for Bruner. Upon visiting Japan most recently, Bruner detailed how he was finally able to meet the man that he so greatly admired. Bruner then got emotional on stage, speaking about how Sakimoto gave Bruner permission to sample one of his songs so that he could use it to create a tribute for Austin Peralta, one of Bruner’s friends who had passed away years before. This moment really resonated with the crowd and allowed fans to connect with Bruner on a deeper level, significantly adding to the experience of the show.
Bruner ended the evening by playing his new single with Tame Impala, “No More Lies.” The crowd, by then exhausted from the night’s performance, roared back to life as Bruner and company played one last time. As the song ended, Bruner thanked the audience one last time for coming out before heading off stage for the night, concluding a fantastic performance.
Though Bruner did provide an amazing concert experience, there were some noteworthy moments in which he disappointed. Chiefly was that of the opening act. Originally, TiaCorine was scheduled to open for Bruner in Chicago, yet she was notably absent and replaced by a DJ whose name is absent from any easily accessible publications or publicly available press information from Bruner’s team. Fans were not notified of this substitution beforehand, and some were disappointed by the seemingly last-minute decision. Additionally, the absence of classics like “Oh Sheit it’s X” and “Funny Thing” also upset some diehard fans. Yes, not all of Bruner’s discography can be played at every single concert, but Bruner’s sixteen song set in Chicago was notably one of the shortest of all his tour performances. That being said, Bruner had played with legendary rock group Suicidal Tendencies earlier in the week and had worn out his voice, so this is most likely not indicative of his typical set lists. Despite these flaws, Bruner still delivered a thrilling performance.
Thundercat’s Chicago performance was an exceptional evening for his fans. The culmination of his unique catalog, quirky persona, engaging anecdotes, and unrivaled musical skill made Bruner’s performance thoroughly engaging and exciting. This performance made it clear why Bruner is considered one of the best performers and bass players today and makes it easy to recommend attending one of his shows.
edited by Lekha Masoudi.
artwork by Eliana Schiller.
