GZA/The Genius

GZA’s Liquid Swords is arguably the the best work from the enviable and bewildering oeuvre of Wu-Tang Clan, so his first ever gig in Brighton ensured an excitable atmosphere for the concert. RZA’s original peerless beats were spun by a backing DJ, who also provided all of the crowd-rousing and interaction for the whole performance.

The first half saw GZA plow through Liquid Swords classics in a highly discernible and measured cadence, which was simultaneously enjoyable and staid. Ticking off hits flawlessly whilst staring into the middle distance, GZA’s energy and enthusiasm thankfully lifted during the second half with more varied cuts from his back catalogue. Of course these less-known numbers were a cue for the crowd to chat and fidget, resulting in a strange sort of tennis-like compromise, where enthusiasm shifted back and forth between the rapper and his audience, resulting in the performance being hard to fault technically but lacking much passion or vigour.

Concorde 2, 5 September 2018

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