Illy @ ANU Bar

I'll admit to not being the biggest hip-hop fan when arrived at ANU last Friday, but I left a convert, singing (or should that be rapping) the praises of all three acts of the night. The gig sold out quickly, with the handful of tickets left on the door being snapped up by 8.30, ensuring the night was going to be a cracker.

Local crew Raw City Rukus got the night pumping from the get go, with a huge turnout for the early starters. The live band brought a unique edge to their music, and the combination of the two male MC's and the smooth female vocals from Imogen Spong in 'Aint We Funkin'' snagged my attention immediately. The guitars provided groove, and the drums kept the timing tight, making the crowd jump and sway to their songs. Their set was short and sweet, but they certainly made an impact, and are definitely one of Canberra's brightest unsigned talents.

Dutch was next on the sweaty stage and entertained the crowd with rapping over remixes of songs from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Little Red's 'Rock It'. He didn't increase the crowd's energy, just kept it bubbling along nicely. The mainly male audience was kitted out in caps, beanies and clothing a couple of sizes too big, a cliche look of hip-hop fans. The majority of girls sported skimpy dresses and killer heels, an odd choice for a hip-hop gig, but their motives were clearly more about getting the attention of handsome Illy than practicable clothing for dancing. 

Super producer & DJ M-Phazes took over the decks for a solid twenty-minute set before Illy started. His slick mix included heaps of Aussie artists like Bliss & Esso, Drapht and The Herd which steadily built anticipation and excitement among the crowd for Illy's imminent performance.  

Dressed in a Zoo York sweater and NY Yankees baseball cap, the blue-eyed and clean cut Illy burst onto the stage to a screaming crowd. M-Phazes stayed on the decks and Cam Gilmore added live drums, completing the recipe for musical mastery. 

This show was the last on Illy's 'The Chase Tour', but fatigue was certainly the last thing on his mind as he gave the crowd his all. His intense gaze penetrated each part of the mosh, making the crowd go crazy for 'My way', 'Riding the bus' and 'Diamonds'. 

Half-way through his set he made the crowd turn around and sing happy birthday to his tour manager, and instructed the audience to get out their phones and hold them in the air so he could take an arty picture with his iphone.  

Illy played his Triple J like a version cover of 'Where is my mind', which displayed his creative lyrical talents by replacing the lyrics of the original with lines from Aussie hip-hop songs. Pure pandemonium ensued when he closed off his set with 'Pictures' and came back for encore with 'It can wait'. The audience screamed the lyrics so loudly that Illy was almost drowned out. The chorus of the song perfectly summed up the evening as all the punters left basking in a moment of glorious, music inspired, happiness.