Drain Gang
The night started out at an early 7PM, which seemed light-years away from the final 11PM curfew. With Bladee, Thaiboy Digitial and Ecco2k in full participation, the show kicked off to an exciting start. Playing a range of fan favorites such as “Into Dust,” “Cinderella,” and “Wrong,”there was a wide range of something for everybody.
With smoke filled stage, immense LCD screen and erratic lightshow, the imagery of the set was hectically provocative. It was evident that Drain Gang fans were strong in London too, with the massive Brixton Academy close to full within moments after doors.
Yves Tumour
With music over the years changing and developing at a rapid pace, its important to keep up to date and flowing with the times. Trying new things is always important. Support act Yves Tumour proves that however; you can sometimes go overboard with your experimentation. The general vibe appeared to be trying something fresh, an avant-garde performance art. This more felt like an elongated introduction track, lasting for nearly 40 minutes. The performer spent his set messing around with equipment facing away from the crowd, making various random noises to followed no rhythm, beat or structure, making it hard to keep up with what was going on.
Despite this, the visual aspect of the show was highly unique. Actors on stage playing out a physical performance alongside trippy, psychedelic visuals gave some perfect eye candy to spectate, however the abrasive noise worked too heavily as a distraction.
Yung Lean
The time had come. The lights dropped, and an eerie synth filled the room like a smoke machine, the atmosphere was restless. Suddenly the lights flicker on and the guitar riff to new track “Friday the 13th” slithers in, electrifying the crowd. Following this comes “Skimask,” from Leandoers 2017 album Stranger. The energy soars up, with mosh pits flaring up all amongst the crowd. “Afghanistan” is soon to follow suit. The euphoria of the evenings punters was evident, with the words “I keep that kush up on me” screaming out to be heard from miles away.
The scene took a rest and kicks back for tranquilizing track “Hennessey and Sailor Moon.” Concertgoers stood alongside each other in serenity, basking in the mellow ambiance whilst Lean pulls at the heart strings on stage with the emotive track. This was only temporary however, as this was followed up with a bloodcurdling broken siren, creeping around and snaring the room. It was time for hostile 2016 track “Hoover.” The aura of the crowd changed in an instant, going from a sedated gathering to a bloodthirsty battlefield.
With Drain Gang in full attendance, it only made perfect sense for a few guest appearances during the set. Despite his absence during “Diamonds,” Thaiboy took to the stage again to amp things up with a kinetic performance of “How U Like Me Now.” Before anyone could recollect themselves, the energy of the venue doubled as Bladee joined for an electrifying duet of “Gotham City.”
There was plenty laid out on the platter for older fans too. Starting out with earlier big hitters such as “Kyoto,” “Ginseng Strip 2002,” and “Yoshi City,” the show was catered towards the real early fans. Lean upped the ante however with a rare medley of old fan favorites such as “Hurt” and “Oreomilkshake,” leaving everyone dumbfounded at this rare performance.
In perfect Sadboy fashion, the lengthy two-hour set finished on an emotional note. Closing the evening on heart wrenching “Agony” and recent track “Bender++Girlfriend,” Lean kept you feeling every emotion from sorrow to contentment. This rare finale is probably one of the only occasions leaving you feeling the most joyous, blissful sadness.