Live Review: Public Enemy @ Rock City [23/04/13]

Public Enemy were recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their revolutionary brand of politically charged hip-hop. Days after this landmark, the group bring the noise to Nottingham’s Rock City – but can they live up to their former glories?

The clique, comprising of figureheads Chuck D and Flavor Flav, certainly get off to a good start. They briefly set ground rules, stating “this is a real hip-hop show”, much to the delight of the surprisingly middle-aged audience. They then tear straight into the classics. Backed by a seriously impressive live band and DJ, songs like Bring the Noise and Rebel Without a Pause are twisted with heavier, rock elements. These opening tunes are rapped alone by Chuck D, but when cult legend Flavor Flav joins the fun, the crowd is cranked into a frenzy. The hype man’s infectious energy proves that Public Enemy still enjoy what they do.

The group’s extensive back catalogue is combined with entertaining showmanship throughout the set. Flav, now 54-years-old, provides both bass and drum solos before a mesmerising showcase in scratching from DJ Lord. From this, it's apparent these rap veterans have spent years honing their skills.

There is also a focus on crowd interaction, with the group often urging fans to raise their fists and “fight the power.” Members of the crowd are even summoned onto the stage to help with vocals on Don’t Believe the Hype and Fight the Power.

Public Enemy conclude their set with a triumphant performance of Harder Than You Think. The track, probably their most commercially successful due to the 2012 Paralympics, has brought the group a deserved second wave of popularity. Chuck D and Flav are last to leave the stage, giving a heartfelt message of thanks to the Nottingham crowd.

They now may not be as intense, or even as important, compared to their legendary Rock City appearance in 1987, but Public Enemy are still the real deal.

8/10

Live Review: Foals (+ The Invisible) @ Rock City [12/03/13]

The Invisible

Appearance-wise, The Invisible are a very unorthodox band. As the London three-piece waltz on to the stage to an already rammed Rock City, you wouldn’t be surprised if they were just doing the sound-check.

Lead singer Dave Okumu promises the crowd a special night. He was right, but unfortunately for The Invisible, that’s all down to Foals.

The band’s synth-heavy sound, sprinkled with catchy melodies, takes clear influence from the likes of Radiohead and tour-pals, Foals. However, as the set drags into one long, mesmerising song, the pumped crowd begin to grow tired.

No denying they’re talented; as an impromptu jam session proves. But ultimately it’s too self-absorbed for a crowd of this magnitude to indulge. A few more crowd-pleasing hooks and this band are on to something.

Foals

A mounting tension fills Rock City as Foals grace the stage one by one. By the time frontman Yannis Phillippakis enters the fray, set opener Prelude is in full swing. The pulsating instrumental track is a fitting calm before the storm.

Although tonight is all about latest album Holy Fire, the Oxford band up the ante with fans favourite Olympic Airways – sparking a mass sing-a-long. The band don’t interact with the frenzied crowd much; opting instead to tear through their setlist in electrifying fashion. However, before boosting the venue’s bass levels with Miami, Yannis holds his guitar up to the heavens in an almost sacrificial nature.

Following the release of their third album, it’s evident that Foals are in their prime – channelling raw energy into new songs like My Number and Milk & Black Spiders. The former track is received with pure delight as the Nottingham crowd shifts from a moshpit to a rave. Another cut from Holy Fire, Bad Habit, gets its second ever live play. Having admitted to it going horribly wrong the first time, the band hit all the right notes with the anthemic track. These new songs sit comfortably alongside Foals’ older material – with fans singing along as if they’d known them for years.

The soulful crescendo of current single Late Night is only trumped by the perfect Spanish Sahara. Played live with crystal-clear quality, the track has a transcendent feel to it.

Before taking a brief rest, Yannis joins the crowd during Electric Bloom. While fans fans swarm the enigmatic frontman, drummer Jack Bevan is left to his own devices – delivering a scintillating drum solo.

“You ready? You ready?” Returning with an encore, this is Yannis’ cry to the crowd before the band’s curtain call. And as Inhaler’s electric riff rings around the venue, it’s pretty obvious the crowd are up to the challenge. Judging by the number of circle pits formed during the song, this is Foals’ most popular track to date. The track’s shrieking chorus also provides the loudest moment of the night.

As Foals close their set with the breath-taking Two Steps Twice, Rock City may have just seen its most spectacular performance yet.

10/10