In this fast-paced society where people are overworked and as stressed as cows at an abattoir, it is easy to seek relaxation in the form of some cheap, nasty sherry, or by popping over-prescribed meds like Mentos. But here’s a much healthier solution for you; get some midweek hip hop into your life. It’ll cure what ails you. On the eve of releasing his latest album, The Past Beats Inside Me Like A Second Heartbeat, Sydney hip hop legend Urthboy played an intimate preview show at Northcote Social Club.
Aside from being one of the country’s strongest writers and performers, Urthboy’s general warmth and ability to engage with people – audience, collaborators, loud drunks disrupting the show – shines through whenever there’s a mic in his hand. With Jayteehazard on the decks and three backup singers in tow, Urthboy launched into Stories from his fourth album, Smokey’s Haunt; a paradigmatic example of the personal, introspective work Urthboy has become known for, and which dominates the new album.
While this was an album preview gig, the setlist contained a more than healthy dose of classics from Urthboy’s back catalogue. Crowd favourites Knee Length Socks, Hellson, his collaboration with Hermitude, Your Call, and We Get Around were all interspersed with banter taking the piss out of Sydney’s lockout laws, self-deprecating jokes about his dance moves, and a mock telephone call from his mother asking the crowd to show their appreciation.
Having already offered a small sample of his new material, the crowd went ape as he began inviting a cavalcade of guest singers onto the already cosy stage, beginning with Bertie Blackman for their 2015 single Long Loud Hours. Regular collaborator Jane Tyrrell made an appearance on Shruggin’, and Kira Puru joined Bertie Blackman on a cover of Meg Mac’s Roll Up Your Sleeves.
After barely teasing the audience with a tongue in cheek early exit from the stage, Urthboy closed out the set with a trio of songs that hit the spot. Nambucca Boy – his ode to fallen cricketer Phil Hughes – was enough to makes your hairs stand on end, followed by the deeply personal Little Girl’s Dad off the new album, before closing with the heart warming No Other, the final track from 2007 album The Signal.
It’s hard to pick any flaws from this gig. Urthboy took everyone along for the ride. The relaxed atmosphere made it feel like you were seeing one of your good mates on stage, and at times it resembled a house party sing-along.
LOVED: Rendition of The Signal sent shivers down my spine.
HATED: What’s not to like?
DRANK: Stone & Wood.
BY EBEN ROJTER
