Mac Demarco at Brixton Academy

Mac Demarco

If you wandered past the O2 Academy Brixton during the last two days of May you would have noticed that the jangle-pop-indie-super-star Mac Demarco was performing not one but two sold out shows. As the line of fans began to congregate on the second night, it was clear why Mac had added an extra date and manage to sell out what was to be one of his biggest show (or two shall I say) in the UK, given that it appeared to be a pilgrimage for anyone who owns a beaten up pair of vans or seen-better-days dungarees.

Kirin J Callinan 

As the electricity and garish shirts filled the 5,000 person capacity space, the excitement to see the gap-tooth Canadian with rolled up jeans began to grow. Before, however, the crowd was greeted with support act Kirin J Callinan: an Australian 80's day dream in tight leather pants and a stiff red beret. Starting the show on his own with just his guitar and striking codpiece, Kirin performed as if he was the Aussie baby of David Bowie and Jarvis Cocker who grew up on a diet of rave music. After performing the first song solo, he was then joined by his "two little brothers", Tex and Mahne, a pair of skin heads in aviators and looked as if they could nut you whilst playing the accordion. Once this weird but wonderful silhouette of the trio had been formed they pump out a set that sounded as if they made the music from 90's show Twin Peaks kinky. Both tongue-in-cheek and a little sexy Kirin provides music that takes the piss whilst withholding a deeper meaning, hes a truly sardonic artist with a backwards mullet.  He ended the show, that was full of guitar throwing tricks and attempts to flog his t-shirt, with a performance of a song that required the crowd "use their imagination" as he pranced across the stage with just an air guitar and singing about how he's not a baby and not yet a man, a toddler.

Man with the band 

After a sweaty interval, the 'beast' entered the stage to the theme tune of the God Father bearing a bottle of wine and couple of beers. Kicking off a mighty 18 tune setlist, Mac and his motley crew knocked out Salad Days for their first number. This was met with an excited caterwaul from a crowd whose anticipation for the band had come to a climax. Jumping straight into the rest of the set, with No Other Heart, Rock and Roll Nightclub and On a Level (to name a few) Mac showed that after three albums this guy knows how to pace a show. This was reflected by the unceasing of the movement of the crowd, who didn't seem to know when exactly to mosh so just did it all the way through.

As he ploughed through the set, the crowd were met with two of the band's recent canine themed tunes, Kirin's sweaty bare chest riding the crowd during Freaking Out the Neighbourhood, and a tender moment of lighter swaying love as not only an ode to viceroy but to Mac himself. However, the music wasn't all the crowd came to see, clearly the intermittent chat from Mac was too a spectacle, discussing the best place to get a salt beef bagel and his fellow band member's wedding anniversary were just some of the stand out moments. The show went exactly how it was meant to, a fun mix of sweating and song whilst watching a goofball of a musician peform the old and the new with impeccable artistry. He ended the show with what must have been a 30 minute long jam, inviting not only his family to the stage but the band's friends too, performing an amalgamation of tunes and tricks with guitars. With a final good-bye crowd surf, as expected, this old dog left the stage the same way he entered it: like he was born to be shoeless and shirtless upon it.

Check the strange pair out:
Kirin J Callinan / Shop
Mac Demarco / Site

Die Antwoord at Brixton Academy

Die Antwoord.
source: www.fanpop.com

Although the saying "Sleep, Eat, Rave, Repeat" is terribly generic, this how the members of South-African rap-rave group, Die Antwoord, truly live. Having released three albums since 2008, $O$,Ten$ion and most recently Donker Mag, Die Antwoord's name has seemingly become widespread and is well known enough to perform at Reading Festival as well as selling out the O2 Academy Brixton both in 2014 and (now) 2015 in the UK. The rap-rave group is formed of a trio consisting of Yolandi Vi$$er and Ninja on lyrics and DJ Hi Tek, who does as the name suggests and drops the beat. They are most prominently known for their outrageous "Zef-Style" (which is defined by Yolandi as "you're poor but you're fancy") and bringing a witty pastiche of art, music and costume, which ultimately leaves many wondering whether they're a parody of a band. Regardless, the group are currently embarking on their "Fuck da World Tour" hot off the heels of their most recently released (critically acclaimed) album Donker Mag and one shouldn't expect any less than a night of epic showmanship, Ninja's naked bottom and a small Yolandi jumping full force around the stage.

The Brixton Academy was as usual on top form for a gig venue and on arrival was jam packed with the most diverse fan base I have ever experienced, which was both refreshing and exposed just how many different people truly enjoy the group. Moreover, despite being stuck in the cloak- room queue for over half an hour we still secured a spot in the second row.

DJ Jackmaster.
source: www.inthemix.com

Before Die Antwoord came on the crowd was greeted by a lone man (DJ Jackmaster)  and a mixing deck. Behind him stood a black, ambiguous curtain discreetly hiding the the main staging. It has been said that it is "the element of surprise" that is crucial for Jackmaster's set. His mixing of beats and bassy tunes flowed from his fingertips and he seemed to instinctively know what sounds go where and what the audience wanted to hear. Which ultimately formed an enjoyable show, regardless of feeling as though the bass drop may make your brain explode- referring to Saturday Night Live digital short which is how I imagine the crowd looked during his performance. If dance music with a few twists is your thang then check out Jackmaster's music, it's also worth checking out the video I was referring to in order to know what to expect from his performance.

O2 Academy Brixton

Once Jackmaster had left the stage the lights went down leaving the crowd cheering in suspense and draped in UV lights. The curtain dropped to reveal a stage covered in Die Antwoord's classic, black and white drawings, followed by smoke pouring out of the seams. A projection was then played of the much loved friend of the trio Leon Botha, who sadly died in 2011, as a tribute to him from the band. DJ Hi Tek then entered the stage in his typical warped face mask and took his place at the decks; opening the show, in complete contrast to the touching projection, with "DJ Hi Tek will fuck you in the ass". Word of advice: don't bring your parents. Instantaneously followed by Yolandi and Ninja covered in neon orange tracksuits. They began the performance with the hit Fok Julle Naaires, catalysing the synthesis of people to echo the crude lyrics as well as a unified crowd bob. The trio went on to perform the twenty song set list, comprised of crowd pleasing hits, such as: Baby's on Fire, Wat Kyk Jy?, Ugly Boy and Fatty Boom Boom (as well as others).

Blurry with excitement- Die Antwoord.

Whilst blasting through the set list here are some things from Die Antwoord you should expect: 1) nudity- although they may enter the stage fully dressed soon enough you are guaranteed to see DJ Hi Tek's bare chest, Yolandi in booty shorts and crop top and Ninja in the notorious Pink Flyod boxers (and if you're lucky a view of his bare bottom). 2) Epic dances- as well as having two of their own dancers (Tarryn TNT and Lafayette Bless) Die Antwoord also perform choreographed dance rountines throughout. 3) Stage Diving- whilst Yolandi bounces across the stage, delivering high pitched and speedy lyrics, Ninja dives into the arms of screaming fans. Not only that but he was attentive to all sides of the stage, making sure that even the edges got a touch of Ninjie.

Whether you're a fan or not , whether you understand them or not, it safe to stay Die Antwoord know how to perform. It was a performance which immersed the crowd into the most ridiculous, outlandish world, in the best way possible. What with the rave visuals and "is it real?" factor it is easy to see that their fans fink they're freeky and they're liked a lot.

Video mentioned above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCawU6BE8P8

Ben Howard at Brixton Academy

I Forget Where We Were
Source: www.O2academybrixton.co.uk

Ben Howard is an artist who's name is not easily lost in the 'indie-folk' music scene, nor is he easily forgotten in the three year gap between albums. Howard's humble beginnings start back in 2008 when he self-released his first EP Games in The Dark followed by two more EPs in 2009-2010. He then was signed by the mighty record label that it is Communion and released his debut album Every Kingdom. Despite not churning out his second album hot on the heels of the first, he kept his fans entertained by releasing two more EPs. When I Forget Where We Were was finally released in 2014, after teasing fans by playing new content live and releasing songs 'I Forget Where We Were' and 'Conrad', it received much appreciation and the dose of Ben Howard goodness that fans craved; whilst delivering more mournful and soulful content.

Having seen Mr Howard only a season ago it seemed like an age and it was most pleasurable to see him again so soon. Not only that but the O2 Academy Brixton seemed to be a fitting place to go to my first Ben Howard gig, having only seeing him at a festival. Ben himself even claimed: "I don't think there's a better place to play in".

Hiss Golden Messenger

source: http://www.mergerecords.com/

Kicking off the night was the American 'folk' band Hiss Golden Messenger, from the land of North Carolina. The band's debut album Country Hai East Cotton was first released in 2009 limited to only 500 copies, the following year they released Bad Debt via record company Black Maps. The band released three more albums following the first two, their most recent album Lateness of Dancers was released via Merge record label (who they are now signed to) in 2014. They are labelled as a duo, consisting of M.C. Taylor and Scott Hirsch, despite this they arrived on stage with two extra players which on their Facebook page they have titled "pals". Having seen Hiss Golden Messenger, in the summer also, I anticipated a performance of good old rhythm and blues with folk chords to sink your teeth into- which they delivered. Their performance was intense and enthused, expressing their North Carolina blues background, giving the audience songs to "dance to". It was a thoroughly enjoyable performance and they looked like they enjoyed it too. 

When Ben Howard and his legendary four piece band entered the stage the atmosphere grew with anticipation. As the lights progressively rose Ben began to strum the first mesmerising chords of 'Small Things'. As the band flowed through the set-list, Ben's nimble fingers effortlessly plucking out near faultless harmonies accompanied by the virtuosity of his band (as well as the lights and screens surrounding them), the experience truly immersed and captivated the audience. The new works from I Forget Where We Were filled the set-list with marathon long compositions exposing his desire to perform music on a grand scale. Much to the audience's delight, Howard still performed classic favourites Black Flies, The Fear, Gracious and the oldest Oats in the Water, despite this the audience began to chant the riff of Wolves to which he replied "Yeah we did that one". Thankfully all was not harmed as the audience seemed to accept that although there was no opportunity to cascade into a sing-along to Keep your Head Up or Old Pine he set out to play new music and that's certainly what he delivered.

Ben Howard
source: www.gigwise.com

Howard ended the night with End of the Affair which was seemingly appropriate given that it was the first song that was released off of the new album and it was the end of an affair that left the audience running 'round in love with Ben Howard again-if not already.