[Live Review] BLISS N ESO w/ HORRORSHOW + SETH SENTRY

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Bliss N Eso + Horrorshow + Seth Sentry

Nobby’s Beach Reserve
March 12th, 2014

The clouds built and rain threatened, as punters gathered at Nobby’s for the ‘Circus Under The Stars’ tour, which showcased five hip-hop acts in a mini festival. Rain, hail or apocalypse could not hinder the event; the punters were too game and the bands were more than ready to take the night by storm (pun intended).

Sydney duo Horrorshow combined lyrical hip-hop with solid beats that instantly made me want to go and buy the album. Recently released ‘Dead Star Shine’ was a clear crowd favourite and ‘Own Backyard’ was not only wonderfully performed, it was also powerfully driven by the injustices and politics of this nations backbone. A true standout of their 45 minute set and a wonderful example of the power of music.

Taking to the stage as the main support act, charismatic Seth Sentry ensured that everyone was ready to party. As requests were screamed out, he leaned over the barricade and asked “What did you say lady?” to which the lady in question replied “I said you’re a hot c**t!” Taking it all in stride, Seth laughed and declared it to be a uniquely Australian pickup line. Using his future wife (although maybe not if his mum has a say), Seth divided the audience into ‘hippies’ and ‘suits’ for a sing along to track ‘What’s my Scene,’ before handing over to Bliss N Eso.

Their set started off with a short skit depicting the boys trying to find their way to the gig (including skits of Dumb and Dumber, Speed and their very own Grand Theft Auto game play) and culminated in a green Kombi arriving onstage. The top popped up, DJ Izm’s decks appeared and ‘Family Affair’ blared out. I’ve seen Bliss N Eso perform at festivals before but the energy radiating from their own show was phenomenal. It truly had everything; drums, a grand piano (at a hip-hop gig!) and an outstanding video montage that mixed live footage with still shots tailored for each song.

New tracks were spaced amongst old favourites ‘Happy In My Hoody,’ ‘The Sea Is Rising’ and commercially popular ‘Down By The River’ as BNE tried to determine how far back fans could go. DJ Izm’s remixes of INXS, Lorde and party anthem ‘Jump Around’ by House of Pain were met with approval and the mosh went wild.

Sixteen months ago Bliss N Eso recorded a video for my cousin, Jacob Redman, who was terminally ill with cancer. It’s a moment that the family will always remember and something I cannot thank them enough for. The shout-out included an unheard preview of song ‘Sunshine’ off the new album Circus in the Sky. Excited and a little sad to see it performed live, I knew that Jake would have been kicking back, beer in hand and rapping along amongst the stars.

The stars came out of hiding as phones and lighters were held high for ‘Life’s Midnight’ before BNE closed the show with ‘House of Dreams.’ An open invite to join them at the Crown and Anchor ensured that the party continued into the night.

In loving memory of Jake ‘Axis’ Redman.

Reviewer: Melissa Woodward
Photographer: Ashlee Kellehear

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3SDc4fu7D0