Craig Robinson @ Metro Theatre

Craig Robinson and the Nasty Delicious
Metro Theatre
Sydney, AUS
December 14, 2016

If you don’t mind the American version of The Office, or goofball comedies like Hot Tub Time Machine franchise, Pineapple Express and most importantly This is the End, Craig Robinson won’t be an unknown constituent to you.

Robinson has a pedigree and longstanding career as a  stand up comedian, which commenced in Chicago 1998 at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal. 

His incarnation in Sydney during his first Australian tour showcased Craig Robinson’s unique comedy and musical talents backed by the immense musical talent of The Nasty Delicious. It was a laid back affair comprised of a combination of musical comedy and stand-up components – or as he eloquently puts it: “An evening of jokes and dancing transporting you back to the kindergarten days where you were to have fun and laugh and sing and play!”

Backed by The Nasty Delicious, a seven-piece funk band featuring Robinson’s younger brother, Chris Rob, Wynston Byrd, Asa Watkins, David Sampson, Brian Cockerham, Lakecia Benjamin and Reggie Hines, the funnyman performed an engaging set comprised of his own repertoire, cover songs and both accompanying and interrupting his songs with stories and anecdotes, as well as crowd interaction.

Despite most people having probably made an appearance because of Craig’s TV presence, The Nasty Delicious was the solid foundation and so much more than a mere backing band of the evening: Seasoned professionals that mean business, enjoy their craft and could have easily carried the evening without further comedic ado with their idiosyncratic blend of Latin jazz, electric funk and a whole lot of soul.

What seemed to be a lack of a stringent set list, left a lot of room for improvisation, which is where Craig Robinson feels right at home, truly shines and where the funnier bits of the evening originated from.

A naturally funny, funky comedic jam session.

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Photo by T