Thundercat appeared as the featured musical guest on Wednesday night’s episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which saw house band-leader Jon Batiste sit in on piano alongside the bass guru. This Late Show stop saw Thundercat performing “Dragonball Durag” from his 2020 album, It Is What It Is.
Donning his usual big-bodied, six-string bass, Thundercat took center stage next to Batiste and led the rest of his band into the song with a sprawling low-end lick. While the song starts nearly true to its studio version, replete with Thundercat’s high-pitched vocals and leading bass, the grand piano finds a nice spot in relation to the overall mix and adds a unique element to the tune.
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By the midpoint, lines from a synth usher in a mini jam section that sees the piano virtuoso go to work. Batiste splays melodies across his instrument, using the entire 88-key spread, while Thundercat dispels riffs equally as fast across his fretboard. The two connect perfectly and then with a quick movement towards the microphone, the band finds itself back in the final verse and wraps up the song around the five-minute mark, a full two minutes longer than it appeared on the album.
Watch Thundercat and Jon Batiste perform “Dragonball Durag” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert below and watch full episodes here.
Thundercat w/Jon Batiste – “Dragonball Durag” – The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Thundercat will join Red Hot Chili Peppers on most of the band’s 2022 tour across Europe and North America. The shows will run from June until September with dozens of performances. Tickets are on sale now. Head here for tour dates and more information.