Melbourne’s 170 Russell played host to one of contemporary music’s most inventive duos as DOMi & JD BECK returned to Australia, armed with their new album WHO ASKED? and a staggering amount of musical talent.

French keyboard virtuoso Domi Louna and Texas drumming prodigy JD Beck have made a career out of turning jazz on its head. Their frantic collision of jazz, funk, hip-hop and electronic music has earned them a Grammy nomination, the attention of Anderson .Paak and a reputation for playing music that seems to defy the laws of physics.

At 170 Russell, their remarkable musicianship was the main attraction. DOMi’s intricate keyboard work and Beck’s rapid-fire drumming created a dizzying interplay of rhythms and melodies, with both musicians pushing the boundaries of what two people can achieve onstage.

Their latest album, WHO ASKED?, released through Anderson .Paak’s APESHIT label and Blue Note, builds on the success of their Grammy-nominated 2022 debut NOT TiGHT. With more vocals, orchestral arrangements and increasingly adventurous compositions, the duo continue to stretch well beyond conventional jazz.

What makes DOMi & JD BECK so compelling is the contrast between their technical brilliance and their playful approach to music. Complex time signatures and lightning-fast passages sit alongside funk grooves and unexpected melodic turns, making even their most intricate material feel accessible.

For Melbourne audiences, it was an opportunity to witness two musicians operating in a musical world entirely of their own making. And judging by the sheer complexity of what they delivered, neither seems particularly interested in slowing down.

The tour moves to Sydney and Brisbane next, tickets HERE.

Images Brad Kendell

Related