Unified @ Flinders Uni Tavern,Adelaide (31/05/06)

Mon 2nd Jun, 2008 in Gig Reviews

While the event did not end up reflecting its name in the back rows of the crowd, Unified did present four fantastic hip hop acts at the Flinders Uni Tavern. The fight which erupted during Bliss n Eso was due to alcohol, insufficient security and a bit too much testosterone being bandied about, but what else can one really expect at a gig like this? Kudos to the door staff who handled an unruly patronage with amazing patience; a smack to the back of the head to whoever organised the insufficient numbers of bar staff and security staff, who while nice enough, would inspire respect from eight year olds tops.

Anyhoo, The Winnie Coopers were giving it their all and though they suffer a little from lack of self confidence, they provided a great opening set with pizzazz to spare and energy to get the crowd hyped.

This was followed by True Live, who are completely different from their radio sound live. While the concept of a cello, violin, double bass, drum and keyboard player is nice, it just came across as a little too try hard highbrow and the insecurities of the band were a bit grating on a crowd who definitely cooled after the raucous start which they had been given. While the concept is of interest and the couple of singles which have been played, like Television, have been good sing along tracks, the format just did not cut it for me live.

Thankfully a home town favourite followed with Funkoars, who were even based down south, so it was home crowd for these guys and did they not bring the house down. Three to four MC’s at a time busting it loose over DJ Foo spinning the wheels of steel. They whipped the crowd up and got back in spades all the love they gave to the crowd. Definitely the highlight of the night and makes you wonder what The Hilltop Hoods would do to a crowd down south.

Bliss n Eso finished off the night and certainly had a professionalism about them which showed that the Sydneysiders have honed their showmanship skills to a fine edge, but while the hits were there, the passion after Funkoars could not quite measure up, so they were not quite the spectacle they would have been had they been before Funkoars or in a solo gig.

Overall, it was a great concept that filled a venue that otherwise may have only been half full for most of these bands separately and provided a fine Friday night dose of entertainment.