Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Thursday August 29, 2013 :
Golden Era Records, the label created by one of the pioneers of Australian Hip Hop, the Hilltop Hoods, has been producing new talented MCs since 2011. After dropping numerous Golden Era mix tapes over the past years with the various artists collaborating together, it was about time when they announced the Australian Roll Call Tour consisting of new K21, Briggs, Vents and the much anticipated Funkoars.
To open this hip hop event was the fresh young MC, K21, winner of the Hilltop Hoods initiative for 2008. Starting with ‘Poison’ off his first full length release, Single Minded Civilian released last year, K21 put on a full energy show with a banger sound and set the mood for the acts to come.
Next up was the Victorian MC, Briggs, who hails from Shepparton with a sound of “let’s get down to business.” Storming up and down the stage, spitting out his Shepp-life raps with his crisp sound and perfect vocals, Briggs tears it up with high energy, bouncing his hands in the air in perfect time with the crowd.
Straight into the next set was Vents with DJ Adfu, who lit up the stage with his strong political songs from the Hard to Kill album (2007). The intense lighting set the vibe for the set to come. Spitting rhymes from Marked For Death with a rendition of the ‘NBC’ absolutely rocking the crowed and the whole of the Cambridge Hotel now ready for the much anticipated Funkoars.
The Funkoars, an absolute pioneer of Australian Hip Hop, lit up the stage with Trials, Sesta and Hons, all ready to rock the set, and that they did. Playing numerous hits from their early albums and throwing in a couple of new tracks like the comedy take on ‘Larry Edmur’ and a solo from Hons MC exceeded everyone’s expectations.
To finish this much anticipated gig, the whole Golden Era Crew came together performing one of their mix tapes live with all the MCs on stage. Wow, what a great way to end the night. If you can get to the Roll Call Tour, I highly recommend it.
Reviewer and Photographer: Corey Park