Live Review: Method Man & Redman, DJ Disaster, DJ Maxwell

A cynic with even the most cursory understanding of the history of international hip hop tours in Australia might have written off this dream pairing of How High co-stars as too good to be true. Moreover, the massive line snaking back from the doors at their purported opening time leads to pangs of anxiety that something is awry. But then, mercifully, the bouncers uncross their arms and let the crowd in to see a revolving door of local MCs step up to the mic as DJ Maxwell handles the beats.

Ahead of the main act, DJ Disaster mixes up a set of hip hop tunes. Sticking to immediately recognisable genre staples like Gin & Juice and Juicy, Disaster's set is unashamedly just trying to get people pumped for tonight's headliners, but his uptempo mix accompanied by an enthusiastic hype man does the trick, and the crowd is packed up towards the front for the main event.

With shouts out to the weedheads in the crowd, Method Man & Redman emerge on stage amid plumes of smoke, only a portion of which are controlled from the lighting control console. Sure, it's a Tuesday night, but tonight's crowd are excited to throw concern for Wednesday morning right out the window, as the veteran MCs trade verses from Blackout! 2's City Lights. Although tonight's entertainment is very carefully billed as Method Man and Redman performing material from the Blackout records, Meth and Red appear happy to dip into their respective solo catalogues. Tracks like Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get In Da Club) and METHOD Man have the crowd screaming and dancing in roughly equal numbers, as do joint cuts like Da Rockwilder. The music is fantastic tonight, but equally as enjoyable is watching the easy rapport the two rappers share. Between songs they're joking like they're getting prepared to shoot that How High sequel. When Wu affiliate Streetlife says he wants to do something off the 2015 Method Man album The Meth Lab the crowd is largely silent, realising their nonchalance Redman claps his microphone in an effort to drum up support. It's little moments like these where the crowd gets glimpses of the real chemistry between the MCs. Beyond what is a well-choreographed show, the obvious friendship between Meth and Red is what makes the show a real hit. Well, that and watching clueless bouncers patrolling the crowd trying to catch people with contraband.

As the pair lead the audience through a few 36 Chambers cuts to close out the night, the room is going apeshit. Any act that can so adeptly transport a crowd predominantly on the wrong side of 30 back to the excitement of their teenage years deserves unending accolades. Meth and Red, Brisbane salutes you.