Last Friday night, BADBADNOTGOOD returned to Sydney for one night only at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, delivering a performance that felt less like a gig and more like stepping inside a living, breathing electronic jazz session. Formed in 2010 by a group of music students in Toronto, BBNG have spent the last decade and a half carving out a distinctive lane of their own. What began as experimenting with jazz interpretations of hip-hop tracks has since evolved into a respected instrumental trio – Alexander Sowinski (drummer) and Chester Hansen (bassist) – known for their collaborations with artists such as Norah Jones, Baby Rose and Daniel Caesar.

I haven’t found myself deep in a Jazz club since I was last in New York in 2022, but on Friday evening that familiar feeling returned almost instantly. As the band eased into the evening with their opening instrumental Intro, the vast Concert Hall seemed to shrink from a vast venue into something far more intimate. From there, BBNG slipped seamlessly into tracks like Weight Off, Speaking Gently and a smooth cover of Fame by the one and only David Bowie.

BADBADNOTGOOD have always existed in a space between genres, often described as somewhere between playful jazz, alternative hip-hop and experimental electronica. They often eschew from being referred to as simply a jazz band, as their unique music style stretches far beyond the genres traditional boundaires. Regardless of specific genre instrumentally, the band were extraordinary.

Hansen and Sowinski as well as the other performers played with the kind of quiet confidence that comes when they have complete command of their craft. And that they do! Their arrangements unfolded with intricate drum patterns, wandering bass lines and of course, a sax. Drummer Alexander Sowinski hopped on the mic between the setlist to keep the audience engaged and at several points encouraged us to stand and sway along to the tunes.

Throughout the performance, there was a quiet attentiveness, the kind that happens only when people are genuinely appreciating the music in front of them. It was a beautiful thing to witness.

For their encore performance, BBNG returned for a Roy Ayers cover of Everybody Loves the Sunshine. It was a fittingly smooth send off that carried the evening to a lovely close.

-Caitlin
When she’s not globetrotting Caitlin Martin loves to scope out Sydney’s hidden gems, with a camera and soy cap in hand. 

The Plus Ones were invited guests of Sydney Opera House.
Image credit: Mikki Gomez.