Reviewed on Friday July 22
One of the key perks of festival sideshows – and, indeed, many tours of this nature by extension – is the chance to connect international artists with local talent and give the latter a world of exposure. It’s essentially a living, breathing ‘recommended if you like’ section. The selection of Sydney singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Zindzi Okenyo – known mononymously by her surname – in the opening slot for tonight’s headliner has to be commended. It’s easy to draw lines of similarities between the two artists – both stylish, smart women of colour with a commanding stage presence and a versatile genre pull at their disposal. However, Okenyo is not the type to linger in anyone’s shadow. She proved as much as the warm-up act for Urthboy’s national tour not a month ago, and it’s very much the case again here – albeit on a substantially larger scale. But that’s just the thing, see. She performs, as always, as if it’s her name that’s been written up in lights. It’s only a matter of time before that is precisely the case.
“I’m tired as fuck!” A handful of songs into a whopping 20-song set, Santi White – AKA Santigold – levels with the audience that has packed out the Metro wall-to-wall and front-to-back to see her. It’s understandable – and, ironically, a little refreshing – to hear this from one of the many acts taking in a three-date, ‘fly in/fly out’ Australian visit around Splendour In The Grass. What’s all the more remarkable about such a statement, however, is how White and her entourage – a drummer, a guitarist/keyboardist multi-tasker and her two mainstay dancers Monica Josette and Desiree Godsell – go on to perform like the Energizer bunny on Red Bull.
Whether digging into the archives from her 2008 debut (‘L.E.S. Artistes’, fan favourite ‘Creator’) or keeping timely with newer material from March’s 99c (‘Who Be Lovin Me’, ‘Who I Thought You Were’), the show never reaches a point of slouching or slacking – even when costume change interludes threaten to kill the vibe, they’re quickly dealt with and help to boost the show’s aesthetic charm. ‘Big Mouth’ raves unto the joy fantastic to close out, and Santigold easily proves once again why she – and we – keep coming back.
