California-based hip-hop artist Hobo Johnson and his band the Lovemakers made their return to Melbourne, playing one of the city’s prime live music spots, 170 Russell. We were lucky enough to be there, and what we witnessed was pure magic.
Opening the stage that night was local five piece band Big Words; a band who isn’t afraid to blur the lines between genres. Led by Will Scullin and Kieren Lee, the band has already garnered a decent following, and it was evident why. Playing fan favourites The Answer and TTYDTM, an electronic-infused hit, Big Words had the audience swaying and bopping along throughout their entire set. With their summery vibes and genre-bending, it only made sense for them to open the stage for Hobo Johnson.
When it comes time for Hobo Johnson and the Lovemakers to come on stage, the audience is practically chomping at the bit. Taylor Swift’s Love Story starts blasting through the speakers, and Hobo Johnson’s voice sings in unison, which is soon drowned out by the crowd’s screaming. The band launches into the opening notes of Mover Awayer, and the man himself jumps onstage with a never-ending energy.
Hobo Johnson’s (aka. Frank Lopes Jr.) unique blend of hip-hop, spoken word and brutal honesty is refreshing; his lyrics carrying a sense of insecurities and rejection that we can all relate to. It’s the kind of music that all audience members screaming along to the lyrics have a connection with, and is a welcome departure from the typical themes synonymous with the genre. Leading into Romeo and Juliet and newer track Subaru Crosstrek XV (performed as slam poetry), the crowd is going absolutely crazy, and begins chanting – demanding a shoey.
To say the 25 year old is confident onstage is an understatement; we’d not had that much of a laugh at a concert in a looong time. Lecturing the audience on the mistreatment of a certain pop star, the band has everyone jumping along to Ode to Justin Bieber, soon after bringing the mood down with Happiness – a track from his latest album The Fall of Hobo Johnson. Running through his impressive catalogue, he breaks into all time favourite Peach Scone – the track that had him go viral. Just when we think it can’t get any better, he tells the audience ‘I am in complete control right now’, and tells us all that we better love the next song coming up. Well, it’s a cover of Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles, so of course everyone goes absolutely off. What follows is what Lopes considers his legacy, You & the Cockroach (if you haven’t heard this song, please get right on it), and final track I Want a Dog – a newer track that has the crowds swaying.
Coming back onstage for their encore, the band launches in to punk-infused Typical Story – an absolute ripper of a track, and one that we’re sure will be in many peoples’ Triple J Hottest 100 choices. It’s a punchy end to a perfect concert, and the best possible ending track for his set. Given the fact Hobo Johnson has come a long way since living and making music out of his car, it’ll only get better from here.