“ We get around, We get around ”….he’s not lying to you either. Urthboy only recently wrapped up a massive 20 plus date tour which saw him reach most corners of the country.

So what does one of Australia hardest working emcees do when he finishes a huge tour? Sets out to do it all over again! This time on the cleverly named Sneakquel Tour which will see him play around another 20 gigs right across the country. Urthboy is touring with his usual partners in rhyme Jane Tyrell and El Gusto .

Anyone who considers themselves a fan of Hip Hop from this country will have had at least one person say to them recently “Check out Mantra ”. And luckily for anyone who made their way to one of Urthy’s shows on this tour got their chance to do just that.

DJ Wasabi made his way to the stage before we were joined shortly afterwards by Mantra. Live it out and Thanks for tuning in dropped early in the set. The latter was played with a TV test pattern being projected over the stage which made for a very effective lighting trick.

Mantra then instructed the crowd “to make your best paper plane” out of anything handy, bus tickets, receipts in your wallet..etc before launching into Flightpath and being bombarded with the planes from the audience, all the while dutifully returning them into the crowd as he patrolled the front of the stage throughout the song. He wound the set to a close with a very long and impressive freestyle.

Something that should be mentioned was the inter-play between Mantra and Wasabi, they had a couple of moves that they would unleash in unison throughout the set and they used them very well. Little things like that can make all the difference when you are trying to put on a show for the crowd that’s not only ear-catching but eye-catching as well.

Spitshine , followed by Nuthin’ i’d rather do from The Signal are the tracks that welcomed Urthboy, Jane and El Gusto to the party. Urthboy, as always, appearing to be filled with energy as he bounced around the stage welcoming the crowd, and in true nice guy mode thanked all the nights previous performers before keeping his own set flowing with Modern Day Folk Singers and Shruggin’ .

A clever way to start the set, opening with the two songs that (arguably) best showcase the gorgeous voice of Jane Tyrell. By the time Jane gets half way through the jazzed up ending to Shruggin’ the crowd is captivated, Urthy and Jane can do no wrong for the rest of the night.

While telling the audience they are all about to go to hell is definitely not part of stage presence 101, no one inside The Factory minds hearing it in the form of Hell Song . Using the slick animated video for the track as a backdrop meant we were treated to a killer live version.

Ready to go was followed up by Served for which El Gusto left the safety of the decks and headed for the front of the stage with mic in hand. Gusto helped provide backup vocals throughout Served . He then took centre stage for his moment to shine doing what Gusto does best, beats.

Playing a modified MPC machine like a guitar, complete with guitar strap, he gave us his re-working of Sweet Dreams , proving he is most definitely the Slash of the modified MPC playing community.

The house lights came up and an alarm started sounding. Had the fattie those blokes were burning in the bathroom finally set off the fire alarms? Thankfully not this time, it was just Urthy sending out The Signal ! Not much more needs to be said about this song other than it’s a guaranteed party starter.

The Factory erupted as all three performers fronted the stage to bring this one home in a huge fashion. We Get Around followed it up, this is the feel good crowd participation song of Urthy’s ever strengthening arsenal, and it’s a powerful weapon. The crowd had been jumping since note one yet still found a little extra gas in the tank for some more bean-poling during the last song of the set proper.

After returning to the stage for the encore, Jane and Urthy treated us to a new track. And what a new track…to be completely honest I think it was track of the night for mine. Hip Hop heads all over the country should be licking their lips in anticipation of Urthy’s next record if this joint is anything to go by. Fast flowing over a soulful hook, I’m sold on any song working with that formula.

Mantra and Wasabi came back to the stage for an all-in group performance next. Before saying goodnight with what is becoming an Urthboy set finishing staple, Mary J’s classic Family Affair as Gusto, Jane and Urthy climbed down into the crowd and finished the set alongside the fans on a huge high.

Urthboy obviously has a love for what he does and is one of the clear leaders when it comes to conveying that to an audience. Putting it simply, he is technically around 35 shows into a tour and he is still putting in performances worthy of opening night. A once again awesome effort from the entire Elefant Traks crew.