De La Soul @ Gluttony,Adelaide (21/02/11)

Wed 23rd Feb, 2011 in Gig Reviews

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Hip hop legends De La Soul returned to Adelaide for their second time in two years to perform their seminal album De La Soul Is Dead in its entirety. For one of the most acclaimed Hip hop groups of all time, the chance to see them in such an intimate setting was an exciting prospect. Known for their wit, word play and jazzy beats, they were one of the leaders of the early to mid 90s ‘conscious’ Hip hop movement. They’ve also been acknowledged as influencing celebrated artists like Mos Def, Common and a host of others.

The venue wasn’t ideal for a Hip hop show – a tent with around eight rows of amphitheatre-type seating; it looked more suited to a circus if anything. Between the seating and the stage was a gap slightly too narrow for a proper dance floor. The crowd seemed to share my confusion, not knowing quite whether to stand in the gap or sit. I haven’t seen a photo of De La Soul that isn’t from at least circa 1992 and for some reason I expected them to still look 21. It was somewhat surprising then when three middle-aged men appeared. Okay, so it was foolish to think they wouldn’t have aged, but who hasn’t endured a show with performers long past their prime? The passion and energy long finished, with the prospect of some easy cash appealing enough to drag them out of their slumber. Any fears that I was harbouring of this being so with De La Soul were obliterated within 10 seconds of their set commencing.

Their interaction with the crowd was mastery. Over 20 years of live shows have obviously served their performance skills well. Anyone still sitting during the first song was standing by the second. Although being billed as De La Soul Is Dead in its entirety, they played a scattered mixture of material from mostly their first four albums. Earlier tracks like Potholes In My Lawn, Buddy and Me, Myself and I were included. They played the two biggest tracks off De La Soul Is Dead with A Roller Skating Jam Called Saturdays sending the crowd into raptures. Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) caused similar delight, both tracks turning into a crowd singalong. Stakes Is High was also popular, along with a host of lesser known tracks.

De La Soul has the infectious energy of a group half their age. They also have the stage presence and charisma that comes with two decades’ experience. It’s a perfect mix and makes for an incredible live show. They were friendly and affable and despite a relatively small turn out, they gave it their all. If you didn’t see them this time, don’t make the same error again – it’s not often that you get to see some true Hip hop legends live in Adelaide.