Tenacious D occupy a niche in the music industry that few have come close to matching. A collaboration between Jack Black and Kyle Gass, the band has combined comedy with genuine rock stylings in a way that has captivated millions around the world and led to a sold-out world tour. 

Playing at the ICC Theatre, a venue filled to the absolute brim, the band bring a show that is not centred so much around their songs, but around the story of pantomime villains and fighting evil. In this case, the antagonists of their story are Biff, a struggling pyrotechnician and a satanic demon that popped up behind the stage. 

This is amusing in a cheesy kind of way but needs the substance of the music to stand up to the scrutiny of the crowd. Luckily, for all of their comedic stylings, Black and Gass are superb rock musicians in their own right, with Black possessing a vocal range which rivals the best of the best. 

The setlist is well-constructed, with the band’s smash hit ‘Tribute’ early on in the setlist and used to introduce the demon that forms the basis for the rest of the show. Black’s voice is strong in the upper register and the backing band superb for the whole show. A cover of ‘Wicked Game’ is interspersed into the set and is well-received, with the iconic video being played on the screen behind the band. If there is a criticism of this set, it is that there are not enough covers, with some of the band’s famous moments (like their current chart-topping cover of ‘Baby One More Time’) missing from the setlist.

Gass and Black are both exceptional guitarists and much of the show is the two riffing off each other. This dynamic is high-octane and energetic with the crowd (especially those in the mosh-pit) absolutely loving it, jumping up and down as if entranced by the performance. 

Eventually the demon is defeated in ‘Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)’ where they confront their possessed guitarist. This is one of the best musical moments of the show with every member of the band getting a solo and showing off their exceptional musicality. Even the stage crew get solos and are highlighted frequently throughout the show, which, although intended humorously, are a testament to Black and Gass and their care for their touring team.  

Black frequently intersperses comedy into his spiels between songs, with both scripted and unscripted moments delighting the audience. 

“Anyone got a scrunchie” he asks as his hair begins to cover his face. 

This is certainly an eclectic show, with Tenacious D having developed a cult following over their time as a band. Much of the audience is familiar every single song and chant emphatically to all the lyrics, getting behind whatever Black and Gass come up with on stage. Even the staged walk-out by Gass (which feels a little contrived) is loved by the crowd, with the cheering audible from those in the very top of the tiered theatre (which, given the design of the ICC, is extremely high up). 

The encore is where the band sing a number of their biggest hits without the distractions, as the bulk of the narrative is complete which allows them to focus on the music. This results in their most cohesive performing period of the set, which highlights the variety of the show that they present. 

Ultimately, this is a show for an adoring audience and a show that absolutely delivers in this regard. While there are elements of the show that feel a little bit contrived and superficial, there is no doubt that their musicality and their ability to construct a performance are top-notch. At the end of the day, the success of this show can be judged by the feeling of the audience following it and for that reason, there can be no denying that this show was a great success. 

Rating: ★★★★

Tenacious D – 13^th July, 2024 – ICC Sydney Theatre