Live Review: Nile Rodgers and CHIC Are Le Freaks
Nile Rodgers and CHIC at Fremantle Prison on 27 October 2023
Review by Sheldon Ang
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
“To get a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award…they’ve got to move on…so I was like ‘did you guys call my doctor, did they tell you something that I didn’t know…maybe you want to take this Grammy back, and hold on to it for a few more years, because I got a lot more records to make’…”
It would be a monumental task to narrate the life and achievements of one of the greatest musicians, producers, song writers and everything music to ever grace the airwaves. Nile Rodgers, the co-founder of CHIC, has more accolades than the number of Olympic medals garnered by the Jamaican sprinting team. The New Yorker is responsible for over 500 million album sales through the vocal platforms of artists including Madonna, Mick Jagger, Sister Sledge, David Bowie and INXS to the more contemporary powerhouse in Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and Daft Punk.
And the list goes on…and on…and on…
Put simply, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee holds the Supreme Commander of the Holy Order status in music, and Fremantle were honoured to host a living icon. The performance has so much funk, soul, rhythm and blues that most would need to shower after escaping from these prison walls. The musicianship of Nile Rodgers and CHIC was unlike we’ve seen for a while, from the supreme vocal range to the groovy New York baseline, sexy strings, keyboard and horns, fusing into a beautiful calamity of sonic dexterity and grace.
Here’s a twinkle on the night of disco soul.
Nile Rodger and CHIC graced the stage with an absolute banger, sparked by one of the most recognisable, fun filled hooks – One two Ah, Freak Out! Le Freak – those words have reverberated on the world’s dancefloors since 1978. Le Freak is the dance anthem of the CHIC discography, a track synonymous to funk, RnB sass and soul. The buzz set in and jolted by the melodic baselines, flaunting vocals and sleazy guitars as the bloomers and millennials raised to their feet. Fremantle Prison – once the place of misery and solitude – was the host to the biggest party in the southern hemisphere.
The night wasn’t just about the epicentre of Nile Rodgers; flanking one of the greatest guitarists were lead vocalists Kimberly Davis and Audrey Martells. The ladies were savvy and vivacious, with their soaring vocals pouncing onto the fans’ faces and through these dungeon walls, delivering a fun filled, vocal conviction. They oozed the sass, soul and spirit of the 70’s, spewing the energy of Liberty and thriving from the drums of Ralph Rolle and the triggering booming bass of Jerry Barnes. The pillars were set from the first word of the track; Nile Rodgers sparked the fire and fanning the inferno, catapulting fans and the curious back to the time when disco was king, and when queens draped in extravagance at Studio 52 (although there was a serendipitous moment as Nile was denied entry a new year’s eve night).
The seats got colder with Everybody Dance. According to Nile Rodgers, this song is usually played as the opener due to its historical context. Close enough. Perhaps the band didn’t need to prompt rev the crowd. So the disco dancing theme kept pummelling the fans, with Dance, Dance, Dance forming the first three songs of the thematic trigger. The sax was so good – adding spice to the night through the spectacular allegory of musical diversity.
The electric revelry continued through all forms; Nile Rodgers is addictively charismatic and master in connecting with his fans. The co founder of CHIC is a story teller – afterall the night was a showcase of Nile’s journey. He kept pointing and smiling at this photographer/writer, and invited the crowd to engage with the lyrical finesse of his discography.
“So I’m gonna do some of my number one hits – so the thing is, in the music business, whenever we get to work with another artist, we call it a collaboration. So tonight you guys will be my artist and you gonna collaborate with me. So whenever I get to the chorus of the song, I’m gonna scream out to the word Sing ….”
Frankly, no one needed the invitation, because everyone was a self-appointee backup vocalist – especially in the sing along hits such as the disco funk fest Upside Down and We Are Family.
The journey continued with the history of music with the ‘80s chapter.
“I told Madonna, ‘we are going to release the first single Material Girl…we are going to name the album, Material Girl.’ Madonna Look at me and said, ‘Nile, you can kiss material (Nile showing his bottom),’ and she said, ‘The first single is going to be called ‘Like A Virgin’, and she said again, ‘The album is going to be called Like A Virgin.’ So here’s the deal, Madonna is not here tonight and I can do whatever I wanna do…so I’m going to play both songs…”
The crowd cheered on. “Are you with me…are you with me! Alright come on!”
With a flick of a switch, everyone returned to the best decade to reclaim their innocence, and for many it was the first time they had listened to this song live by world class performers.
There are also songs for the millennials, such as Beyonce’s Cuff It and Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, taking through the cadence of the infectious baselines and trickling guitar riffs. The latter becoming the club anthem for so many, which then led to more dance tracks including Lose Yourself To Dance, Lost in Music and My Feet Keep Dancing.
The night ended with as, you guessed it – Let’s Dance by David Bowie, and Good Times – which is the most sampled song in history. So much of soul were applied onto this disco tune as the bright sassy vocals of Kimberly Davis and Audrey Martells ensuring fans they’ll keep grooving well into the weekend.
At 71, Nile Rodgers has brought CHICness back and is Le ultimate Freak.
Sheldon Ang Media express its gratitude to Face to Face Touring, Live Nation Australia and Nile Rodges and CHIC for the photo accreditation.
About the Writer/Photographer: Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to photograph and review the hottest acts in Perth including KISS, Red Hot Chili Peppers, RnB Fridayz, Rod Stewart, Sting, The Corrs and Backstreet Boys with reviews shared by the likes of UB40, Delta Goodrem, Toni Childs, The Fabulous Caprittos and Tina Arena. He has interviewed rockers Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS), Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Ian Moss (Cold Chisel) and forty other legends.
