Funkoars Amplifier Perth(15.08.09)

Sun 16th Aug, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Clearly, Perth is in dire need of more hip-hop artists because the anticipation of the people waiting for Adelaide group Funkoars was overwhelming. The city’s fans and lovers of hip-hop packed in to Amplifier’s sold out show to revel in the talent of DJ Reflux, Mr Trials, Uncle Sesta and Sketchy Hons.

Nothing could dampen the atmosphere of the night and the crowd, united in their love of music, went wild for the line up of this year’s What’s your Malfunction? tour.

By the time Vents came onto stage the bar was packed and ready to go. Joe and Trials got the crowd pumping and raising their hands to the music. Vents set began like a working class man in a revolution, but transformed by the end into driving in summertime with the windows down. The duo had a great balance between them and created a lively atmosphere.

The music between artists kept the energy levels high with fantastic mixes of old school nineties rap. Phrase started up their set with a warm up mixing some classic rock with hip-hop; Schools out with a dance beat. They began with an alternative version of The Presets’ My People and throughout their set used parts of many other songs, showing an aptitude for covering tracks and making them their own. Their live drummer added a new element to the set and created a great beat to follow and gave a wicked solo contribution. Their enthusiasm and lyrics pleased the crowd, – œsticking it’ to society and encouraging the fans “pump your hands up and down like a fist yo”.

“This is how hip-hop’s supposed to sound”, claimed headliners, Funkoars. The pulsating mob of fans didn’t say otherwise as they jumped wildly to the music. The foursome moved around stage in rhythm with each other like hyped up balls of energy yet with a level of professionalism and years of experience showing. Their music, sounded similar to their good friends and collaborators Hilltop Hoods, but for all that they showed their own style as they promoted their soon to be released album The Hangover.

Recognising Perth’s extreme enthusiasm for the music, they remarked that we were the liveliest city -while watching the disco balls, normally hanging from the roof, being bounced around like inflatables at a festival and punters jumping off the walls and crowd surfing until security began taking out fans on stage that wouldn’t leave.
Funkoars’ presence in Perth this weekend has most definitely demonstrated Perth’s passion for hip-hop and established its reputation as the most spirited and passionate city.