Ida Nielsen brings her Funkbots and a bag full of jazzy grooves to Manchester. You can’t fake the funk!

For the uninitiated, Ida Nielsen is a bit of a legend of the bass. She was a member of 3RDEYEGIRL and played a huge part in Prince’s New Power Generation for many years. With an arsenal of mighty grooves, the solo endeavours of the Danish bassist perhaps fly a little more under the radar, however you cannot deny the standing, class and talent of the incredibly funky Ida Nielsen.

THE FUNKBOTS

A wisp of smoke rises from a small pyre in the garden. The ashes that remain of my old bass guitar lie forlorn. I used to consider myself a bass player but a funky evening of masterful funky bass from Ida Nielsen shows clearly…I am not!

Ida Nielsen and her mesmeric playing is equally listenable as a soaring solo from any guitar maestro. She explored every inch of her fretboard with intricate expertise dominating the tight four piece unit; The Funkbots. Guitarist Oliver EngQvist, saxophonist Jakob Elvstrøm and percussionist Patrick Dorcean (drummer doesn’t do him justice) are all masters of their craft. Together they made full use of the warm Stoller Hall acoustics.

With the audience quickly warmed through Ida’s warm personality and her anecdotal stories, as much as her stunning performance, there was an enthusiastic buzz in the room which cheered the band. The camaraderie between each band member came through strongly as did the appreciation of each other’s musicality. Ida entrusted EngQvist with mixing responsibilities on her 2023 album; More Sauce, Please. Ninja, just one of the cuts from the album performed, comes after a brief and entertaining bout of ninja ‘choreography’. Bounce Back, Glorious Disco and Kuku, Put Some Sauce On It are all performed in the funkiest of manners.

Jakob Elvstrøm acts as a great MC as well as vocalist and saxophonist for the evening. His funky brass licks enhance the already colourful rainbow that is ‘the funk’.

Praise was also lavished on her long standing percussionist Patrick Dorcean, who plays deftly and powerfully when needed, never over elaborating. He shifts gears between thumping 4/4 beats to more intricate jazz styles on a dime; it is a pleasure to watch and listen.

PURPLE THOUGHTS

Ida leads from the front with her voice and her playing. There are warm tributes to musical colleagues past and present; none more so than the legend of Prince. Purple Interlude was written as a tribute to her great mentor. It is followed by a brief slice of 1999. Ida requests ‘purple thoughts’ which here at At The Barrier we always do; the purple is there for a reason!

You Can’t Fake The Funk, DISCO DIS-LOCATION, Bassinyourface, F.U.N.KWHY and the particularly bouncy Sometimes A Girl Needs Some Sugar Too help showcase the sheer class and talent Ida Nielsen possesses in her own writing. There is a huge confidence in the material, and rightly so. Medley’s enable her to throw in as much material as possible.

A closing duo of tracks ends the evening. Homage and tribute to the bass master Bootsy Collins is played in the form of Keepin’ Dah Funk Alive. It is what Ida Nielsen is striding to do. On this evidence, she is the natural gatekeeper to the funk. A complete goddess of the bass.

Not one to rest on covers, Ida Nielsen ends the night with a rallying call for peace and love. Free Ur Mind, taken from 2016’s Turnitup album brings a night of love to it’s climax. Yes, there are threads of the past running through everything, but Ida Nielsen and the Funkbots are clearly on course to keep weaving. Free your mind indeed.

Free your mind…and your ass will follow.

Ida Nielsen & The Funkbots: Official Website / Facebook / X (formerly Twitter) / Instagram

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