Sounds a better title than Drum and Talent. Like a close-nit group of lads putting on a show for their mates and showing just how good they are! The place was bouncing!
Always loved Drum & Bass and a great MC is a sight to behold, seen many over the years and rap music is a constant in this house. Still didn’t know what to expect from this, let’s say I was giving a younger member of the family a trip up to Bristol as they desperately wanted to go, who am I to say no?
Enter DJ, OK it’s on, 5 from the front, bass kicks in, 10 or so seconds of bass and a quick shift into ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ a shift back to bass then another 90s chart tune, then he announces something new and it’s Funky Town by Lips inc? I was looking around and the crowd was pointing and singing along to all, some at each other some towards the stage but it was working!
First MC/Rapper came on for a few songs as a warmup, I apologise, I think his name was Damo, didn’t quite hear and Google is no help, come on guys a little promotion! He has original songs and credited the DJ for producing them. He was a great first act for the night, great lyrical ability, good songs he delivered with great energy. He worked through a few tracks, thanked the crowd and then the DJ carried on, less 90s chart more DnB now.
Next up was KillOwen, from West London, pronounced Kill Owen, not to be confused with the town in Ireland or the Whiskey. Hood up and straight into his set, I hope he was tracking his steps as he was side to side, hopping, skipping, bouncing with great energy, to say he was fun does a disservice but he was, lyrically great, light hearted at times, ‘Bar fights and Poetry’ being a stand out for me but all good.
“Pick your poison and don’t look back, Bar fights and poetry on tap, Air Max, there’s stories under these tats, Got bar fights and poetry on tap”
https://www.instagram.com/killowen_
We’d overheard Songer was on for 8.45, that came and went, the delay only fuelled the ready crowd, a chant breaks out Songer, Songer, Songer but they hold off, build the need.
He appears, a happy lad character, black T-Shirt cap on sideways, unassuming then he starts and he’s a master of his craft, well drilled a mind full of so many words delivered effortlessly. I stayed a couple of metres from the front for a few tracks but watching through a sea of mobile phones, I know it’s the modern way but I retreated back to where my view wasn’t impaired allowing the youth to watch and record simultaneously ready for 1100 social threads to come alive from that moment.
He announced at the beginning about 30 tracks to work through, I didn’t count but there where a lot and it was relentless in a good way. I had a good view, and loved it, a great night out. The collab on ‘Ease the pain’ was a well timed, the second voice adding an alternative sound, then another collab on ‘Soft spot’ with the first act on went down well. The Britney Spears Toxic remix lifted the roof!
The one thing I could not get out of my head was a quote from Ad Rock of the Beastie Boys when asked the question, “Is there anything wrong with pretending to be a kid when you’re not?” (From The Guardian)
“No! Not at all. To a certain degree. Nobody wants to see the old person at the club.” – Ad Rock
I was that old person but I didn’t pretend. I found my place, watched and enjoyed it. As I dropped back I caught a guys foot, he actually put his hand on my shoulder, paused and said “you stepped on my shoe” I half laughed, agreed and said sorry, in a mildly dismissive way, he again said “you stepped on my shoe!”, To which I said “why would you wear your best trainers to this?” He looked confused, I moved on, i knew why but yes, I’m the old person at the club!
At the back it was interesting, The SWX in Bristol only hold approximately 1100 for a live band so your never far from the stage, there was a 90s raver-esque girl lost in her moves, there were 4 lads who just had a loud conversation the whole night, I don’t think they noticed they were at a gig until Toxic. There was one girl about 5 foot tall, the entire night she had her mobile phone in the air, a fully stretched arm recording every song and all she got was backs of peoples heads but didn’t seem to care.
These guys put on a great show, he said this was his biggest headline show so far, a sign of bigger things to come? go see it!
https://www.instagram.com/5onger
