While outside was a damp and limp Saturday night, inside ‘The Cooly’ it was all scud, sweat and cheers. Bleach* Festival brought hip-hop acts from around the country together to the Gold Coast’s iconic live music venue, The Coolangatta Hotel, and even the wallflowers in the crowd found themselves moving to the beat.
Local hero and Triple J Unearthed winner, Seven (Zach Humphrey) warmed up the evening with the help of mates Mr Hill and DJ Roger. The crew were in spectacularly high spirits and served a playful and irreverent set with unapologetic, scruffy style. Showing potential for bigger things, the future of this talent rests on striking a balance between performance professionalism and that derisive, beach bum flavour so many of us seem to dig.
Fresh from supporting the Macklemore and Ryan Lewis tour, Melbourne’s Diafrix picked up where the locals trailed off. African-born refugees turned kings of Footscray, Momo and Azmarino brought their unique brand of Aussie hip-hop blended with reggae, funk and African sounds. The boys gave a relaxed and polished performance, showing the easy style that has won hearts with the album Pocket Full of Dreams. The boys delivered the hit ‘Running It’ with their signature charisma and ‘Simple Man’ was a definite crowd pleaser. Overall, the duo gave a warm and authentic set, leaving locals hoping Diafrix will return to the sunshine state very soon.
Following the 2012 release of Smokey’s Haunt, the Bleach* crowd was eager to hear from that pillar of Aussie hip-hop, Urthboy. The highlight of the night and perhaps even the festival, Tim Levinson, main man from The Herd, was supported by the gorgeous vocals of Jane Tyrell, with whom he shares excellent stage chemistry. Serving up ‘Stories’ and ‘We Get Around’ with an infectious energy, and even toying with a bit of Blur, Levinson remains a passionate performer who manages to maintain an equilibrium between intensity and a sense of fun. The show was slick, the delivery tight, and the encore of The Roots’ ‘The Seed’ left this reviewer dizzy in love.
Sleep well tonight Australia, Aussie hip-hop is in exceptional hands.
Bleach* Festival: Hip Hop Party
Featuring: Seven, Diafrix, Urthboy
The Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
23 February
Bleach* Festival
www.bleachfestival.com.au
22 February – 3 March
