Last night was one of the best Saturday nights I’ve had in a minute. You know one of those nights where everything and everyone comes together perfectly? Yep. Aside from it being the longest day of the year, summer solace and all that bizness (shouts to all the Pagans!) it was also the first Summer Bubblers event at Cargo AND Brainfeeder too!
It wasn’t about going to one and not the other. Summer Bubblers was featuring a pretty sick line up – Rox (whom I had never heard of before) and the super, dupa talented homie Melo-X (interview soon come, promise!). And then Brainfeeder, of course brought it hard with FlyLo, Dorian Concept, Joker, Gaslamp Killer, Kode9 & Benji B on the bill. Damn.
…Like a d*ckhead I forgot my camera, hence: no pictures.
So, we started off at Cargo at around 10.30pm, just as Rox was getting ready to hit the stage. I had never seen her perform live before, so I had no clue what she was gonna be doing on stage (rapping, singing, or otherwise), but as soon as she opened her mouth, it was over. Her voice is simply…Stunning. A home-grown soul singer, clearly inspired by greats like Jill Scott, Aretha Franklin & Erykah Badu but armed with her own distinct style. Dressed in an all in one gold & black jumpsuit, a very petite Rox, along with her 5 piece band, crooned, belted and performed each song perfectly. Her songs, infused Soul, R&B & Reggae, were clearly based on personal experiences and were sang from the heart. Performing around 7 songs, I was left wanting more – always a great way to leave a person. I recommend you hit her up on her myspace, as I have – because trust me, if you like soul music, you’ll love Rox.
After a short DJ set, it was time for Melo-X to come on stage and do his thing. The crowd, who I’m sure were very unclear as to what Melo does, was at first seemingly sceptical – but as soon as my man dropped his first beat, they were all instantly converted. Melo-X is very much in the ‘new school’ of Hip Hop performers, not content with just standing on the stage, raising his hand and performing, this dude was all over that stage AND floor. Armed with his laptop and beat maker, X did his thing with ease and engergy. Not content with performing his (now famous) “Day N Night” remix, and “Treat Her Right (And I Know)”, off his Mustafa’s Renaissance he also pursued to create a beat live on stage and freestyle over it. He rocked Cargo. No doubt.
Straight after his performance we rendezvoused with another member of the PB familia and raced over to the…Carpark where Brainfeeder was happening. We attended the event last year and was blown away, so reaching this one was a no ‘brainer’. As I mentioned, the line up was incredible and just the general vibe/atmosphere in that place is just insane. Brainfeeder is, in my opinion, the closest you’ll get to a 90′s style (illegal) rave. Thousands of people, in a dark car park, reeking of weed, raving to some intense sounding beats and sounds – word? Anyways, we got there just as FlyLo came on and as usual, the man killed it. Flying Lotus is one in his own, there isn’t another one like him and watching him perform is always a joy. During his set he dropped Snoop Dogg’s “What’s My Name”, haha the crowd went insane!
Shortly after, and after a quick freestyle session, Dorian Concept came on stage. The ‘Shaggy-look-alike’, is one of those artists whose music doesn’t really match up with his appearance, but it somehow ‘works’. The geeky, teenage-looking Austrian jumped on stage and pretty much smashed the place a part. His tunes are beyond, just beyond! I don’t know how he comes up with those beats, but however he does, I’m glad he does! His songs pulsate so strong it’s just crazy! Songs from his When Planets Explode album went down a storm – including our favourite “The Fu*king Formula”. Oh my!
Joker was up next – his blend of synthesised beats and straight up UK Grime puzzled a few in attendance, but not us. We continued to skank out nicely to his ridiculously tunes. The guy knows how to utilize a good baseline! I’m sure most of the folk in there were “not ready” for him though. Didn’t matter though, he didn’t give a sh*t. Dropping dope tracks like they were nothing. Big.
Brainfeeder went on til’ like 5am. I left around the 3.30am mark, would have loved to stay, but plans the next day didn’t permit me too. But nonetheless, Brainfeeder 09 was just as, if not better, than last years. The artists represented hard, the venue was perfect, the vibe was insane and yea…It was all just dope. If you haven’t been to Brainfeeder before, I urge you, next year – attend! I’m not the biggest ‘beats head’, but trust me – it’s one of the greatest nights you can go to.
Summer Bubblers returns to Cargo in July, so make sure you hit that up. *I just received word that Joker & Bullion (amongst others) will be playing at the next Summer Bubblers! Damn, you know we’ll DEF be there!* And of course, Brainfeeder is back next year.
Shouts to the PinBoard family and extended family.
Peace, Love, Summer Bubblers & Brainfeeder
Speeakz
Mad love to Peggy (Summer Bubblers) for everything!
