Fat Freddy’s Drop will return to the stage in May with three Wellington performances celebrating their debut album and honouring founding member Chris Faiumu, known as MU.
The group will play at the Michael Fowler Centre from May 1 to 3, marking its first live shows since Faiumu’s sudden death. The concerts form part of a 51-date international tour across Australia, Aotearoa, Europe and the United Kingdom.
Lead singer Dallas Tamaira said continuing with the long-planned tour was important for the band.
“It’s important for us to honour the intentions we had with MU and playing this album live is part of that,” Tamaira said.
Originally released independently in 2005, Based On A True Story became Aotearoa’s longest-charting album, spending 111 weeks in the Top 40. It won eight New Zealand Music Awards and received international recognition at the Gilles Peterson Worldwide Awards.
Saxophonist Scott Towers said the shows would reflect on the band’s beginnings and acknowledge Faiumu’s legacy.
“Based On A True Story was the band’s first full-length studio album, and its success was the springboard for what has been an incredible journey together,” Towers said.
“We want to pay tribute to the music, to MU, and the band he established, and to play to our fans around the world who have supported us through everything.”
More than two decades on, Fat Freddy’s Drop remains a defining force in Aotearoa music, blending funk, roots, jazz and dub, with a strong following in Wellington.
Tickets for the three-night run are on sale now at https://www.ticketmaster.co.nz/artist/1055722.
