It was 19:04 when a friend and I got to Camden Town and not having downloaded the route to the venue promptly, prior to the beginning of our journey, we were left a little lost and worried that we wouldn’t be able to find it in time to catch the opening act.
But as it turns out, it was incredibly easy to find it. The massive cue with jubilant looking teenagers to the right of the station was a dead giveaway.
Once sat close to the bar and with a desperados in hand, I started looking around and noticing that not a soul was dressed casually . My plane white t-shirt and washed out mum jeans combo was way different than all other outfits.
Most of the girls were dressed in leopard print do ups, sparkly one pieces and fluorescent leather skirts and although the guys looked more discreet, there was one thing they had in common - shiny trainers in impeccable state.
It‘s weirdly fascinating to see so many different guys, from all shapes and sizes being brought together and unified by the same pair of Nikey trainers.
Jay1 often raps about having a lavish lifestyle, always being well dressed, surrounded by champagne, beautiful women and lots of money- His Hit ‘Mocking It’ portrays just that. Perhaps that’s why everyone is dressed to empress.
Romzy was the starting act- and his energy was infatuating and positively electric; the guy was dancing all over the stage and throwing water around- people were moshing and going wild for it.
It was an insane hype act like no other I’ve seen in a while , and it was righteously followed by three other really great performances from Hakkz, DJ Trixx and JB Scofield.
Jay1 started a little after 21:30, and as soon as the audience noticed the purple and green LED lights slowing turning away from the crowd and assembling on stage to gracefully illuminate his silhouette- the once comfortably spacious dance floor got absolutely cramped.
The people up front couldn’t move at all - but that didn't seem to trouble any of them , as they were all enthusiastically chanting his name.
Meanwhile In the midst of chaos, I noticed a group of women that must have been in their 40’s; drinking pear ciders and casually dancing away from everybody else.
it’s amazing how Grime is becoming so mainstream and people of all races, sexes and ages seem to be embracing this whole new side of rap so openly; at the end of the day these are all great artists trying to put their voice and beliefs out there, hoping that an audience connects to it.
When ‘Keisha and Becky’ started, I couldn’t not get up and dance to it- it was undeniably catchy.
The first time I had heard the song was then, and I must admit that the “Oh my gosh, look at her bumper, bumper course I left with her number” line is absolute lyrical treasure.
‘Your Mrs’ was the grand finale song , and although it played twice in the set, not a soul was upset about it. It was definitely not a ‘Despacito’ at a nightclub circa 2018 type situation.
Anyways, you know a concert is good and completely worthwhile when someone’s blonde wig is being thrown and waved around by enthusiastic teenagers.
Words by Sofia Mendes for SmokeMag
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