Flight of the Conchords, the New Zealand comedy duo, performed their first US shows in eight years at the Netflix Is a Joke festival in Los Angeles, bringing their signature wit and understated charm to a packed audience at the Greek Theater.
Updated Songs Reflect Changing Times
The duo opened with "Robots," a song originally released in 2008 about an android uprising. Jemaine Clement, playing a frustrated robot, updated the lyrics to reflect modern concerns about artificial intelligence. "Humans invented artificial intelligence, and then they had us doing really stupid shit with it," he explained. "They gave us all the knowledge, deep learning, gave us the power to solve complex, scientific mathematical equations," his bandmate Brett McKenzie added. "Then just asked us questions like, 'How do you cook an egg?'"
The concert was part of the Netflix Is a Joke festival, marking the climax of a short run of shows in Wellington and California. The night was filled with reflections on the past and acknowledgments of a more terrifying world, but the performance felt like a momentary antidote.
Musicianship and Banter Shine
Despite the long break, Flight of the Conchords showcased the same wit and charm that carried them through early performances, a BBC radio show, and an HBO series. Clement and McKenzie's easy banter made the 5,900-capacity venue feel intimate, enhanced by a thrilled crowd. "Quite a musical crowd, actually," Clement said. "We assume, because we're in Los Angeles, a lot of you are probably in the Red Hot Chili Peppers."
McKenzie and Clement clearly enjoyed themselves, displaying their musicianship as they harmonized and played guitar, bass, keyboard, flute, and digital devices. Clement's voice was particularly rich on stage. There were a few mistakes, including lyrical confusion during one song, but the band embraced these moments to cheers.
Classic Songs and Surprise Guests
The duo played most of their best-known songs, including "Business Time," "Hurt Feelings," "The Most Beautiful Girl (in the Room)," "Bowie in Space," and "Carol Brown." "We're not really playing new songs, but they're new to us, because we can't remember them," McKenzie said. Several songs had updates, including "Think About It," where Clement improvised a solo lamenting that things were "even worse than when we wrote this song."
Special guests included Rhys Darby, who played their manager Murray on the show; Kristen Schaal, who played obsessive fan Mel; and Arj Barker, who played their friend Dave and opened the night with standup. Darby conducted a "raffle" for an onstage VIP experience, which Schaal won, offered the chance to touch both men for 30 seconds. The duo was backed on some songs by the "New Zealand Symphony Orchestra," a single cellist named Nigel Collins.
Unscripted Moments and a Heartfelt Message
A large bug appeared in Clement's hair and made several unscheduled appearances throughout the night. "I don't know where it's going to go," McKenzie said after placing it on the ground. "Probably go to Hollywood, just give it a go," Clement replied. "Then go back to Ohio." "Teach drama."
When a fan requested "Hiphopopotamus vs Rhymenoceros," McKenzie and Clement explained they would play it as an encore after pretending to walk off stage. "It's gonna be a big surprise," Clement said. Before the fakeout, the band thanked the audience. "America, you've been so incredibly welcoming to us, and we're very grateful that you accepted some people from outside your country," McKenzie said. Clement added: "We'd probably be deported now."
The night offered a sense of brief cohesion and community in a fractured era, a little bit of shelter from the storm.
