Mark Ronson and friends bring the funk to Sydney concert

MARK Ronson brought together an impressive line-up for his Sydney concert, along with a special tribute to his late friend, Amy Winehouse.

Impressive ... Mark Ronson at Hordern Pavillion, Moore Park. Picture: Adam Ward

MARK Ronson is one of hottest architects of what is considered pop music in the post millennial genre soup.

Put the English producer, musician, DJ and fanboy on a stage and he reinvents the soul revue of the revered Apollo Theatre in Harlem.

Just reading the line-up confirmed Ronson, a man who helped make the careers of Amy Winehouse and Daniel Merriweather and restored the legacy of Duran Duran, respects the old school traditions.

Fans liked it ... The concertgoers for Mark Ronson’s gig appeared to enjoy the performance. Picture: Adam Ward

Emerging hip soul duo Jones Jr, hip pop powerhouse Tkay Maidza and psychedelic rock champs Pond filled in the hours before Ronson and company brought the main event.

The hip hop slam opening of Feel Right, Ooh Wee and Bang Bang Bang, which featured Australian artist Ella Thompson May have been better placed as the bookend of the show from an energy perspective.

Ronson constructed a shoe of chapters featuring his most favoured — and available — vocal collaborators.

Global DJ ... Mark Ronson performs at FIB Benicassim Festival in Benicassim, Spain last week. Picture: Supplied

The View’s Kyle Falconer was indie pop cute with The Bike Song and Everyday.

The most underrated, under-utilised voice on the planet, Daniel Merriweather, reminded the up for-it audience of where it all started with Ronson’s reinvention of The Smiths’ 80s classic Stop Me ...

Tame Impala’s man-of-action Kevin Parker commanded his three-song moment. It was as much a celebration of the band’s first Australian No. 1 album debut with Currents last week as it was about his contribution to Ronson’s acclaimed Uptown Special record.

Man behind the music ... Mark Ronson has become more mainstream with his hit Uptown Funk. Picture: Craig Greenhill

The psychedelic angelic voiced Parker shared stage time with Australia’s most innovative and muso-namechecked guitarist and indie artist Kirin J Callinan, who shreds like the love child of Hendrix and Mossy.

It was a chilled, trippy and occasionally, guitar-hero interlude in a concert which successfully married the static podium of the DJ decks with a live band complete with horn section.

Andrew Wyatt was so neo hippie gorgeous and barefoot funky with his chapter of the Ronson revue with the singalong fabulousness of Animal and Somebody To Love Me.

Close friends ... Mark Ronson and late British singer Amy Winehouse perform at the Brit Awards 2008 in London. Picture: AP

A regular on the concert and festive fixture in Australia, Ronson kept his set relatively faithful to his runs throughout the European summer, including the invitation for everyone to join with the late Amy Winehouse’s voice on Valerie as a tribute to her memory.

Of course he finished off the night with one of the songs of the year Uptown Funk. Did we need Bruno Mars to smash a hit out of Moore Park?

Nah, cuz Uptown Funk gonna give it to ya.

Originally published as Mark Ronson and friends bring the funk to Sydney concert