Bugzy Malone, Birmingham O2 Institute - review
Last night saw the Manny invasion turn its attentions to the Birmingham crowds, as Bugzy Malone brought his headline tour to Birmingham’s O2 Institute, writes James Stride.
Fans of the Manchester-born artist were treated to a show packed with energy from start to finish, with a host of British talent on display including Bugzy himself, the ever tenacious Izzie Gibbs and DJ Charlesy spinning on the decks.
With his nine-show tour all but sold out, pardoning the extra Manchester night put on due to high demand, Bugzy Malone had a lot to live up to as he brought his British rap style to the 0121, and he delivered in excellent fashion.
Mixing in the old with the new the Birmingham crowd was able to enjoy all of the young artist’s repertoire, including some of the tracks that helped his career transform into the momentum making movement it has become.
Performing to a sold out O2 Institute the self-titled ‘King of the North’ didn’t let the energy falter throughout the night, keeping it ‘Moving’ as he always does. Having looked at the crowds you would thought some of the fans were ‘Mad’, or in ‘Pain’, but they were just the screw-faces being made as Bugzy performed tracks such as ‘Zombie Riddim’ to the packed out venue.
Although the pace of the night never seemed to drop, the ever enthralling Manchester artist did manage to take a moment out to dedicate a song to his cousin, who sadly passed away earlier on in his life.
‘Pain’ was a fitting tribute and one that was received with admiration and applause by the crowd.
‘The Revival’ was quick to come though as there was no time to spare, with a host of material off his new album to run through, the night continued at its blistering pace, with little to no let up from any of the artists on stage.
Nottingham’s own Izzie Gibbs earned an honourable mention as he set the night up for one hell of a bang, getting the Birmingham crowd fired up with his exhilarating pace, intricate wordplay and out right showmanship.
With the crowd’s full attention in his grasp, the young artist played out some new material to a fantastic reception, making the mosh pit move to new heights of messiness.
DJ Charlesy kept the energy flowing in-between sets too with his on point track selection, crowd interaction and love for the show, keeping the crowd going as the artists prepared back stage.
