Live Review: Allday, UV Boi, Tyne-James Organ

This is Allday's first gig on home turf in a while and, playing to a sold out 170 Russell, it was a coming-home present to be proud of. 

First up is Wollongong's Tyne-James Organ and the first thing to notice about this acoustic artist is that he does so much more than just strum four chords. He plucks the strings, he slaps the guitar, he weaves thought-out melodies and sings meaningful lyrics. Among the originals are a nice sprinkling of covers to engage the crowd and it works. The audience sings along, we're getting hyped and that's exactly what a great opening act is all about.

Away from the acoustics now and UV Boi from Brisbane brings his take on electronic music. He's surrounded by apparatus: a synth, a drum machine and decks. Barely speaking into the mic, our Boi spins and mixes beats with misleading build-ups and a whole array of samples from his collection. One track samples Super Mario World's Quick Death song, turning it into a shiny, shimmering beat to rap over. With banger after banger, UV Boi really gets the party going.

After one last interlude, it's time. Some club hits start spinning again to get the crowd hyped (not that they need it) and, in a cloud of smoke, Allday emerges. From the first song, everyone goes crazy. There's jumping, there's yelling, there's screaming and a whole load of hand waving. Meanwhile, Allday just slides from song to song, spitting his bars clean and crisp. He plays his old songs more than the new, but that doesn't stop him from bringing Nyne onto the stage to help him with Sides or pulling Organ back onto the stage to cover Chet Faker's Talk Is Cheap. Allday encourages the crowd to pull out their phones and text someone they love, he encourages two strangers to have a crowd-surfing race and then throws out hats. A lot of hats.

Allday does so much more than just rap. He interacts, and that makes for an amazing act.