Live Review: Run The Jewels, Flatbush Zombie

Part of the Beast Coast movement helping shine a light on the roots of New York hip hop, Flatbush Zombies are the ideal opening act.

The trio of Meechy Darko, Zombie Juice and Erick Arc Elliot (also the group's producer) are a rough and rugged collective, spitting frenetic raps over dark booming beats as they aggressively roam the stage. Each member of the Zombies gets their turn to shine on the mic and demonstrate their personality and unique style, but it's the gravelled voice of Meechy Darko who hits hardest, although the enigmatic Brooklyn MC at times seems disinterested due to the lack of crowd participation. Despite some harsh words for those not enjoying themselves, the Zombies roll out some of their best tracks, including The Odyssey, New Phone, Who Dis?, the A$AP Mob collaboration Bath Salt and old favourite, Thug Waffle. A rendition of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit is unexpected, with Darko jumping into the mosh and making a nuisance of himself before the trio end with Palm Trees and a final message, "Open your fucking mind".

A chant of "RTJ" rings out as Queen's We Are The Champions ushers the arrival of Run The Jewels. The duo of Killer Mike and El-P has established themselves as one of hip hop's most authentic and energetic live acts and tonight is no exception.

As the audience clap in unison, the two MC's burst into the electrifying Talk To Me and don't let up for the next hour. The energy is palpable as Run The Jewels perform a Run The Jewels 3 heavy set, not that anyone is complaining. Legend Has It, the Danny Brown featuring Hey Kids (Bumaye) and anthemic Stay Gold have the capacity crowd bouncing along. Even a Tom Morello lookalike, complete with cap and jacket, is getting down, taking sips from his hip flask during the hard-hitting Call Ticketron.

Killer Mike has always been underrated as a rapper but it's El-P who really shines tonight. The producer turned rapper looks like he should be in an '80s rock band with his denim vest and sunglasses, but his smooth, cryptic raps gel well with Mike's authoritative and blunt flow. Feeding off each other's energy, Mike and El-P have the floor shaking with cuts Oh My Darling (Don't Cry), 36" Chain and Don't Get Captured. El-P even takes time out to perform a short, spoken word piece before resuming regular programming with the 808s heavy Panther Like A Panther. This is high tempo hip hop that never lets up, with both Mike and El-P driving home their socially and politically charged lyrics over exploding beats.

Mike gets everyone waving their arms in the air during Sea Legs before Run The Jewels finally take things down a notch with their final two tracks. El-P dedicates Thursday In The Danger Room to anyone feeling down or who's lost someone in their life, before Mike reveals the day before the show was his deceased mother's birthday. Full of emotion and openly discussing how depressed he's been over the festive period, Mike thanks El-P, his family and crew for helping him through this tough period of his life. Urging everyone to call someone they love, he and El-P launch into the introspective and fitting finale, Down.

Run The Jewels leave the stage for the briefest of moments, only to return for A Christmas Fucking Miracle, with El-P telling the crowd they have to play the song "because we couldn't make it here for Christmas". A pounding futuristic slice of conscious rap, the song cements Run The Jewels as one of hip hop's most engaging and energetic live acts. Although it's only January, as far as hip hop gigs go, this is one's going to be hard to top.