Live Review: Def Wish Cast Laundry Bar

It's quiet… too quiet. Maybe it's the near-freezing temperatures, or maybe it's a city in shock over the surprise victory of the Demons over the Bombers. Whatever the reason, it's a surprisingly small crowd hanging out at the Laundry Bar watching NTSC spinning some tunes on the decks.

Still, you don't become the reigning pioneers of Australian hip hop without a few tricks up your sleeve. When Def Wish Cast finally take to the stage, they rev the crowd up from a standing start. Within ten seconds of their first track, the room is pumping. Knights Of The Underground Table is an early highlight, eliciting a massive reaction from a crowd whose love of Australian hip hop predates its popularity.

With a group history spanning over 20 years, there's been plenty of time for side projects, and they're given centre stage here. Sereck's Celsius drops a couple of tracks, with Killawattz (Def Wish and Die C) following with the brilliant Killa Kombo.

The journey through the back catalogue makes its way to 1996, and the mood of the room reaches new heights with AUS Down and Allstars. It must be said that Def Wish is in a league of his own when it comes to lyrical delivery – he nails his rapid-fire lines with precision and precipitous talent. Still, Sereck and Die C may not drop impossibly fast triple-time bars, but their onstage charisma keeps the set from becoming a one-man show. Indeed, one of the best hip hop sets of the year is unfolding right here on stage.

It's time for the new material and Thomas Rock steps up to the stage wearing a fantastic vocoder mask (it even lights up!). They launch into Evolution Machine, then Dun Proppa, and the sound is amazing – not only are the lyrics as strong and sharp as ever, but Def Wish Cast have clearly embraced every technological advance in sound production that's happened in the last five years. The result is a rich, deep style of production that shakes the entire room. It's huge.

Having paved the way for Australian hip hop's rise in popularity, Def Wish Cast are justly regarded as pioneers of the style. However, tonight they've proven themselves to be more than that – they're continuing to lead the charge today, with new tracks that showcase their much-vaunted skills as well as genuine musical growth.