Over the last couple of years Elefant Traks have established themselves as one of Australia’s premier purveyors of hip hop and beats. With solo albums from Unkle Ho, Urthboy and Pasobionic and the recent second album from The Herd, the label has gone from strength to strength. The jewel in the Elefant crown, Hermitude, who have been touring extensively on the back of the release of their excellent second album Tales of the Drift, are now heading overseas, and tonight was their farewell.

First up was the new project from Ozi Batla, Astronomy Class. Unfortunately I arrived too late to catch any more than their last track, but indications are good. Consisting of two guys on turntables/techno-geekery, an electric bass player and Ozi Batla on vocals, apparently we can expect an album some time later this year. One to look out for. Next up was Unkle Ho, joined by the one and only Senator Jim Shady. Unkle Ho’s music is a gorgeous mix of all kinds of sounds, and his live show is made much more watchable by the antics of Senator Jim. Unkle Ho himself doesn’t just stand behind his laptop either, and it was great to see the enthusiasm of these two performers. If I had one complaint, it would be that they played only one new track, but I suppose this is forgivable given that a new Herd album has dropped in between Unkle Ho’s album and now, which probably doesn’t leave much time for writing new stuff.

If the Elefant has an Achilles heal, its Combat Wombat. Their music is good, and I like the dubby feel to their beats. DJ Wasabi’s scratching is excellent, but I just don’t feel their lyrics or delivery at all. Personally I’d feel a little silly saying how bad multi-nationals are with a large, glowing and very conspicuous Apple laptop behind me. Their show has a lot of energy, but the lyrics come across as self-righteous, and Izzy’s delivery style, which is basically just yelling, doesn’t work for me.

Hermitudes appearance on stage was preceded by a weird short movie that had the boys smoking a magic spliff provided by a mystical mountain hermit. From the moment their set started, they tore the fucking roof off. This was the most fun I’ve had at a gig for some time. Joined at various times by fellow Blue Mountains residents DUB Crew MC’s Immune and Dialectrix, the Hermitude Dancers, Ozi Batla and Urthboy, as well as the hermit who starred in the film, their set was solid gold from beginning to end. Playing tracks from both Alleys to Valleys and Tales of the Drift, they mixed it up nicely. The dubby version of Music from the Mind was a standout, but there were no low points in this set.

If they play like this in Europe and Japan they will undoubtedly earn an army of new fans. I’m sure the entire crowd would join with me in wishing them the very best of luck, but hopefully we’ll see them back here before too long. Much respect.