
The words of ex-King Blues frontman iTCH an hour before taking to the stage in Edinburgh in support of Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. And if the opinionated artist is able to talk the talk, he can certainly walk the walk too.
What started as a subdued showing where the sell-out audience seemed reluctant to get involved would end as a shaking spectacle that saw attendees hanging on the every word of the performer.
The main turning point? That would have to be when the hip-hop artist jumped down from the stage, created a circle in the middle of the crowd and completed a couple of setlist entries from ground level.
A surprised, and more importantly impressed, audience began from then on out to appreciate the charismatic, passionate performance that iTCH had been displaying throughout, and if he so much as shot a hand in the air subsequent to this crowd-winning gesture, a packed out venue in front of him would be quick to do the same.
On the setlist, Adam Lazzara feature and latest single Homeless Romantic was a highlight, tying the political nature of iTCH’s work to an irresistible beat that highlights the lyrics and therefore the depth that is at the heart of the artist’s work.
Children of Revolution did similarly to highlight the musician’s position at the forefront of political engagement in the UK music scene, while Best Shot, another effort from the artist’s upcoming album The Deep End, brought out some banging bass and a sing-along vibe.
There would be well received numbers from iTCH’s Manifesto EP also; True slowing things down to bring a criticism of the media culture, Like I’m Drugs speeding it back up with dubstep and EDM tones to keep the audience moving.
An excellent performance overall from the engaging artist, whose passion, honesty and concern for modern issues is refreshingly clear to see on stage.
First published at www.brignewspaper.com
Stuart Kenny