Fun Lovin’ Criminals hypnotize the audience with a compelling concert
On a warm Thursday evening, the beautiful city of Weert, The Netherlands, near the border of both Belgium and Germany, was flooded by the funky sounds of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals. The legendary band from New York, now living in the UK for many years, known for their unique mix of cinematic hip-hop, rock ‘n’ roll, blues-jazz and Latin soul, gave a dazzling concert in the intimate setting of De Bosuil. The audience was treated to an evening of musical delights and entertaining stories, and the band once again proved why they are still loved by music lovers around the world.
With their worldwide multi-platinum debut album “Come Find Yourself” from 1996, Fun Lovin’ Criminals made a smashing entrance into the music scene. The well-known hit single “Scooby Snacks’, which samples iconic Tarantino films such as Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, quickly conquered the charts, achieving success all around the world.
Fun Lovin’ Criminal
The performance in De Bosuil started with a groovy version of “The Fun Lovin’ Criminal”, which immediately put the audience in the right mood. Frontman Brian ‘Fast’ Leiser, charismatic appearance in his gentleman appearance, immediately took the lead with his captivating vocals. His voice, steeped in soul and attitude, filled the room and left no one unmoved. Together with his versatile talent on bass, keys and trumpet, he provided a solid foundation for the rest of the band.
The rhythm was kept tight by drummer Frank Benbini, who moved the audience with his energetic playing and compelling percussion. Benbini was able to switch effortlessly between different styles and provided a dynamic drive in the songs. In addition, he regularly shared the microphone with Leiser, which resulted in strong harmony vocals and an extra dose of charisma on stage.
Careful Fun Lovin’ Criminals
Guitarist Naim Cortazzi added a touch of rock and roll and blues to the mix. His fiery guitar playing provided the rawness and blistering solos that excited the audience. Both Leiser and Cortazzi played their instruments masterfully, showing their craftsmanship in every note they played.
The evening’s repertoire consisted of a carefully curated selection of songs from the band’s rich oeuvre. Classics such as “Scooby Snacks”, “Loco” and “Love Unlimited”, which brought the encore to a climax, as well as ‘The Fun Lovin’ Criminal’ provided a nostalgic trip to the 90s, while newer songs such as “Get Your Coat” and “We The Three” proved that the band still sounds relevant and fresh.
In addition to the music, the Fun Lovin’ Criminals impressed with their ability to entertain audiences with stories and anecdotes. Leiser regularly took the time to chat between songs and elevate the atmosphere with his humour and charm. It felt like being a part of his big city adventures, where music, drugs, crime and existential boredom took centre stage. Clear feedback from audience participation arose at “Smoke it”, with a large part of the audience literally singing along with the text.
Scooby Snacks
As already mentioned, the highlight of the evening was the encore, when the men performed their most famous songs. The sultry “Love Unlimited” and the infamous hit “Scooby Snacks”, where the audience finally sang along and danced to the funky rhythm, made sure that the roof went off. The band gave an energetic performance of “Scooby Snacks” and managed to fully bring the magic of the original to life.
At the concert of the Fun Lovin’ Criminals in De Bosuil, the band proved once again that they are masters in combining different genres and creating a unique, compelling sound. With their charismatic frontman, tight rhythm section and virtuoso guitar playing, they managed to enchant the audience and deliver an unforgettable evening. The New York Friends are still in top form and continue to seduce audiences worldwide with their timeless music and unparalleled stage presence.
Photo (c) Johan Horst
