Tech N9ne @ The GovernorHindmarsh, Adelaide (16/09/09)

Fri 18th Sep, 2009 in Gig Reviews

After a loud and drawn introduction, i was left expecting an almost flawless performance by Mastacraft (thank god for fliers, as there was no introduction for those unaware). Unfortunately not.

The 4 MC’s sounded messy, and were out of time and key for majority of the set. The combination of the Aussie and American-like accents proved annoying incredibly fast. The backing tracks made up somewhat for the messy performance, but lacked original material in their beats. Seeing as a large part of the audience was male, I Like Porn went down a treat.

At times potential shone through, the lyrics were in time, the group was tight, then it would unravel again and the mediocre would return. The potential is definately there, the act just needs a good polish, and more concentration on the position and use of the stage than what they wear onto it. The group finished with Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo, a Bloodhoung Gang song that was best in the set, by karaoke standards. On the bright side, they did pull up a table with some of the crowd and have a chat.

Melbourne’s Bukkcity is possibly the funniest guy i’ve seen on stage. In his words – œYou’ve gotta have fun with it, Theres no point if you dont have fun’ before putting on the act of an – œangry rapper’ storming over the stage with a foul look on his face, wondering why no one was getting into his music.

He then transformed into a reporter, questioning Derron, from Brooklyn (himself with glasses on) about his life and thoughts. This led to the opening of well known songs that he then made his own, before closing with Nobody Wanted This and Quiet from his recently released debut Same Place.

Always a personal favourite, Terra Firma of our own Certified Wise crew (which i think they mention once or twice in their tracks) took the crowd to a new level, kicking off with the title track of their latest album Music to Live By. These guys know how to work a stage, and dont do it often enough in my opinion.

Another energetic and familiar set was offered from this tight and well versed group, The Path whose lyrics show a deeper side to the party scene of Oz Hip Hop. and We Likes to Party had everyone bouncing along, before rounding out with a beatbox display by Simplex.
With the word – œSICK’ written across his forehead rather than the full war paint, Tech N9ne hit the stage with Krizz Kaliko for what would be a non stop energetic set. With reviews like “Tech N9ne brings more energy to his live performance than nearly everyone’s favourite rapper’‘ the bar was raised. I mean, some of these people paid $200 for their tickets.

The sheer speed of lyrical delivery of the first track was phenomenal. Not just a stream of muffled words, every syllable was clear and precise, every word understood; It was a pace that was kept throughout the entire set. Bout ta Bubble had heads moving early on, along with some fairly smooth moves on stage.

A few of the back catalogue made it into the setlist, including Everybody Move & Cry Baby (from 2008’s Killer) Caribou Lou (Everready (The Religion)2006 ) and Im a Playa (_Absolute Power 2002_ ) before Tech and Krizz started chanting lyrics acapella for the crowd to finish, exclaiming – œThat’s how i know my real fans are in the house’.

With a 6 year drought now broken with an awesome show, fingers crossed we can get some more Tech N9ne action sooner, rather than later. The bar that was raised has now been anihilated, the next time he hits our stage will be amazing.