Review: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC Live In Brisbane
Three Generations of Funk
Thursday 18th September 2025
Written and Photographed by: Rashid AlKamraikhi
While we may lean a little more to the heavy side of music at Sense Music Media, we like to think of ourselves as well-rounded connoisseurs of the aural arts, and far from immune to indulging in guilty pleasures, or even outrightly overt ones. One such case for me is when GEORGE CLINTON AND PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC comes to town!
But before I am beamed aboard the mothership, we are treated to the smooth R’n’B of New Zealand’s DRAX PROJECT. This slick outfit woos us in with their buttery smooth tunes, beautifully harmonised vocals, and grooving beats.
They play tracks such as their platinum-certified Woke Up Late, Catching Feelings, and Crazy that get the crowd moving along. Mid set, vocalist and Sax player, Shaan Singh, explains to us that the name of the band is a portmanteau of drums and sax from when he and drummer, Matt Beachen, used to busk, ruining the illusion for me that it was in tribute to David Bautista’s character from Guardians Of The Galaxy. Lore breaking admissions aside, they play an amazing set, topping it off with banger All This Time giving the subs a serious workout, and dropping an additional reprise at the end to really sink it in.
Image: DRAX PROJECT
Image: DRAX PROJECT
Image: DRAX PROJECT
Image: DRAX PROJECT
Good thing the subs were now dialled in, because Michael “Clip” Payne’s booming bass voice welcomed George Clinton to the stage, and the crowd went wild. The godfather of funk had bought a huge lineup of stellar musicians to join him, and between them all, they hit us hard with the funk from every angle. Tairee “Thurteen” Parks let us know that there were three generations represented amongst the fifteen-odd members of the PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC collective tonight.
In the lead-up to One Nation Under A Groove, they start up a chant of ‘We Are One Nation.’ I’m not sure if the P-Funk crew are aware of the political implications of that statement here in Australia, but imagining the confused look on a certain red-haired politician’s face as she asks them to ‘Please explain?’ puts a big smile on my face, so I think fuck it, and join in. This is followed by one of the groups most popular tracks, Flashlight, and for good reason, because it features some of the most standout vocals of the night.
Image: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC
Image: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC
Image: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC
Image: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC
George is clearly getting on in years, as evidenced by the fact that he plays more of a conductor and hype man role in the band than lead vocalist. For the majority of the show he remains seated on a drum stool come office chair as events unfold around him. I can’t help but think that they could have at least gotten a throne more worthy of the king. Maybe Scottie Clinton could help him jazz it up a bit with some fairy lights like she has on her mic stand. Speaking of Scottie, what a literal powerhouse. Not only does she take the lead several times throughout the show, but also performs one-armed pushups, and headstands during the set. I fear for her ankles (and the stage) as she jumps around in those heels too, but she never breaks a sweat, or loses her smile.
There are several legendary musicians as part of the roster, and mid set, they are each given a chance to shine, starting with Michael "Kidd Funkadelic" Hampton, flawlessly playing the blistering psychedelic rock jam that is Maggot Brain, followed by Kevin Oliver working his whammy bar, and several other members that show their prowess on their instruments. A couple of them even sneak in little licks like The Pink Panther and Star Wars for those with the ears, or more so the years, to pick them out.
Image: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC
Image: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC
Image: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC
Image: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC
As I said in the opening paragraph, George Clinton has been one of my pleasures, guilty or otherwise, since I first heard Do Fries Go With That Shake on Rage as a child, and while that particular track wasn’t featured in the set, I was extremely happy to be given the opportunity to see him live and in the flesh. The man is a treasure.
Image: PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC
Photos by: Rashid AlKamraikhi
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