Reviewed onTuesday February 16
Rising Atlanta hip hop star Raury commends us for welcoming his return to our shores with another sold-out show. He then stops, before adding: “But things are so different now. So much different.” Prophetic and ambiguous statements such as this are littered throughout his hour-long set.
But while buzzing in anticipation for his arrival, we succumb to the electronic artistry of Joy. A Brisbanite with a stunning sound, her voice soars over the heavy beats and shimmering keys produced by her two musical cohorts. She floats through tracks ‘Crazy For You’ and ‘Falling’ from her 2015 release Ode, moving minimally, apart from a few hand movements and the occasional sway. The only real burst of energy comes during a remix of ‘Stone’, as she jumps ecstatically during the breakdown. Single ‘About Us’ closes the set and she exits stage left, leaving her band to groove out to the end. You get the impression that her stage presence will only evolve from here.
The difference between Raury’s last Australian visit, almost a year ago exactly, can be put down to the release of his debut album All We Need. Its tracks get a sufficient showcase, opening with the driving call-to-arms that is ‘Revolution’. The beat is pulsating and the dancing is frantic, accompanied by intense visuals of a burning globe projected onto a screen behind him. From there the energy is constant and the images transform, as Raury races through ‘Forbidden Knowledge’, ‘Woodcrest Manor II’ and ‘Her’ with great passion and energy.
The only problem is we’re having trouble hearing him, irking the crowd to the point where shouts of “turn it up” can be heard in between songs. It’s soon to be rectified, particularly during the single ‘Devil’s Whisper’. The breakdown in this song causes chaos, with crowd members jumping wildly while Raury’s guitarist plays a fierce solo over distorted beats. Raury’s polarising rap verse goes down well here, with such flow and precision that it further solidifies his rising reputation as a talented MC.
‘Cigarette Song’ and ‘God’s Whisper’ from his debut EP Indigo Child cause a crowd sing-along, while ‘Friends’ offers a more upbeat, rocky vibe. The repeat of ‘Devil’s Whisper’ as an encore sees Raury launch himself into the crowd to bask in the adulation and sweat of his Australian fan base. A technically imperfect show, but the performance of a lifetime.
