The room is absolutely chockers as we welcome Illy (Al Murray to his mum) plus drummer and DJ to the stage. Tonight we score Illy's new album Two Degrees (his fifth set, recorded in LA's Atlantic recording studio) in full, the MC cheekily encouraging us via his socials to pick up a copy of this album so that it counts towards his first week ARIA Albums Chart position.

His carefully enunciated words during Hazard To Myself ("'Cause I don't need nobody else/I'm a hazard to myself") deliver the truth, Illy rapping both his and Sir The Baptist's parts. The energy of his songs may be characteristically upbeat, but lyrical content digs much deeper on this album; he also sings as well as raps. Sadly Jenna McDougall isn't in the house to deliver her Oh My hook, but her crystal clear input is still admired. Illy gleefully spits, "Fuck you/And you/And you/And you," throughout Swear Jar, calling out egomaniacs who are in the music biz "for the status".  

lly tells us he's gonna speak a bit in between songs this evening to give us a little insight into these Two Degrees tracks. We're then told Catch 22 went gold a coupla days ago by way of introduction for this single featuring Anne-Marie, which would make a perfect mash-up with RiRi's Umbrella. "It's so crazy that the album's only been out for six days and you guys already know the words," he gushes. He bounds around the stage, jumping up and down, in Adidas T-shirt and New York Yankees cap; you'd absolutely cast him as a rapper in a Hollywood film.   

"Melbourne I fuckin' love you!" Illy concludes before the trio leave the stage. Cue "one more song!" chant. When Illy returns to the stage he raises us to "five more songs!" and we holler our approval. We score On & On and the crowd goes mental singing along with the "Wah-oh-oh-oh!"s. Then Illy performs his Like A Version, which incorporated segments of Silverchair, Flume, Hilltop Hoods and Paul Kelly covers to celebrate Australian music. He conducts some "left, right" audience arm swaying and then the crowd absolutely loses it, spraying bottled water in the air. We're warned there's "two songs left" and Illy's closing couplet comprises smash hits Tightrope followed by Papercuts (featuring Vera Blue). It's a shame none of his featured artists were available to perform live. Illy tells us he'll see us at Festival Hall (even though this show is yet to be announced) and bounds off stage looking hot while chuffed.