Lettuce Brings The Dirty Funk Back To Birmingham's WorkPlay October 26, 2017 13:59
Photos by Craig Baird: Home Team Photography
Words by Jordan Kirkland: Live & Listen
Wednesday night in Birmingham, AL was far from your average night. Originally booked as an outdoor show in Avondale Brewery, frigid temperatures moved Lettuce to nearby WorkPlay, which is honestly the perfect room for the occasion. Alternative hip-hop group RDGLDGRN started the party in powerful form, with a remarkably high-energy set which featured its fair share of entertaining crowd interaction. I had no idea what to expect from these guys, but I'd gladly catch another show of theirs in the future.
After a quick 30-minute turnover, Lettuce took the stage promptly at 8:45 PM. This would be the second year in a row that the band stopped in Birmingham while en route to Suwannee Hulaween, and if last year was any indicator, we were in for quite a treat. The set kicked off with a smokin' "116th," one of my favorites from last year's Mt. Crushmore. The hot start continued with "Prince Shmza" and "Chron Dutch," before Nigel Hall sent the building into a frenzy with a cover of Charles Wright's "Express Yourself."
"Remember The Children," another favorite from Mt. Crushmore was up next and "Dilla" wasn't far behind. "Dr. Digglesworf," an outtake from the 2015 release Fly kept the room moving, as did the "Nyack" that followed. The set would ultimately close out with emphatic takes on "Shmink Daddy Kane," "Don't Change," "House U," and "Force." After a brief exit from the stage, the band returned and looked to Nigel Hall once again for the Lettuce classic, "Do It Like You Do." It wasn't long before Hall was center-stage, delivering the good word and getting down amongst his fellow bandmates. Video footage (via Isom Morgan) of the encore performance can be found below.
While the weeknight shows can be difficult at times, I realized a long time ago that I just can't pass up an opportunity to see Lettuce. These guys are truly the modern day kings of funk, in my humble opinion. While a handful of their tunes do include vocals, the instrumental genius of this band is what keeps me coming back for more. These guys couldn't be stronger from top to bottom, featuring a cast of straight up all-star musicians. When it's all said and done, there just ain't no party like a Lettuce funk party.
Lettuce - WorkPlay - Birmingham, AL - 10.25.17
Setlist: 116th, Prince Shmza, Chron Dutch, Express Yourself, Remember The Children, Dilla, Mr. Digglesworf, Nyack, Shmink Daddy Kane, Don't Change, House U, Force
Encore: Do It Like You Do
Watch Lettuce perform "Do It Like You Do" at WorkPlay here: