In the excitement of a concert it’s easy to give in to hyperbole. Which is why, when I read in my notes, ‘Bliss n Eso – the best – live & album’, I can’t help give pause. But even now the morning after I still stand by my claim – in the rapidly expanding community of Aussie hip hop, Bliss n Eso are the best (and I say this even as I rate The Hilltop Hood’s The Calling as one of my top hip hop albums. Ever!)
Bliss n Eso’s show at the Prince of Wales Bandroom, full of punters happy in their hoodies on Friday, was a ball. They sold out the show well in advance, and turned the 1,000-strong crowd into a rollicking house party. Fellow Sydney-siders Mind Over Matter opened the proceedings. They were enjoyable, although seeing them on the same night as Bliss n Eso demonstrated the continuing gap between those at the top of Aussie hip hop and those aiming to get there.
Following Mind over Matter, Motley, from Manchester in the UK, served up a delicious dose of crowd-pleasing hip hop. His grime-lite tracks ‘My Level’ and ‘Manchester’ were a welcome break from the oppressive beats that have defined much of this decade’s UK hip hop. His energy was infectious and he was clearly enjoying himself. Even his repeated ‘I LOVE MELBOURNE’ exclamations to the crowd – often so trite and grating from many performers – were done with such earnestness and pleasure that you couldn’t help but get swept up in the vibe.
Finally Bliss n Eso took the stage, with Guns n’ Roses decidedly un-hip hop ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ filling the darkened room. If there were any doubt as to what this party was about, it was blown away by DJ Izm who scratched, cut and flipped the track into oblivion. By the time the lights came on and MCs Bliss and Esoterik presented, the crowd were keen as a pack of staffies eyeballing a big raw steak. The show started off with a few of their classic tracks, but the boys knew what the crowd came for. As the upbeat piano sample of ‘Zion Bash’ came on, the crowd roared its approval in getting exactly what they were after: to hear Bliss n Eso’s new album ‘Flying Colours’ with the energy and dynamism that only a live rendition brings.
‘Zion Bash’ was followed by ‘Happy in my Hoody’, with a guest verse from Aussie hip hop pioneer Phrase. And, to be sure we didn’t miss the irony of the situation, the crowd was dutifully instructed to don their hoodies, as it was, of course, Friday. More ‘Flying Colours’ favourites followed, including ‘Eye of the Storm’, a group sing along to the popular single ‘Bullet and a Target’, and the head-banger ‘Woodstock 2008’. More treats followed, including expert turntablism from Izm, a perfect 10 stage-dive/crowd surf from Motley (proving Great Britain’s surprising form at the Olympics is no fluke), and a beat-boxing display from MC Bliss that morphed into a slamming 4×4 beat with the force and bass to match any kick drum.
Ultimately, Bliss n Eso represent one of rap’s great paradoxes; just as you will never get the pure aural beauty of a well-produced hip hop album through a live show, no album can ever convey the sheer energy that live rap music delivers. But, with their magnificent new album and their commanding live performance on Friday night, Bliss n Eso have damn near reached the pinnacle of both. And in the opinion of yours truly, the entire Aussie music community is much richer for it.
