Live Review: L-FRESH The LION, Omar Musa, Sukhjit

Sukhjit invites the scattered crowd to gather closer in an effort to create a more intimate experience. Looking into the eyes of the audience, she asks "What makes you Australian?" Her first poem, addressing the struggles of her Sikh migrant family is met with bowed heads and a reflective silence. The vibe is being slightly killed by the thumping bass coming from the restaurant section of Northcote Social Club, but that doesn't stop her. Sukhjit's ability to speak so eloquently on such contentious issues with passion and humour is an art. She shouts, "Can I get an Amen? Or rather, an 'Awoman'?" She gets an 'Awoman' for sure.

Lights dimmed, drinks refilled and before you know it Omar Musa bursts onto the stage. The blasting bass takes the evening's energy up another notch. The crowd roars at Musa's jab at the PM as he shouts, "Middle finger up in the air for Malcolm T". A silhouette of middle fingers shoot up to the ceiling. Middle fingers become applause as Musa comments on the power of art and its role in unification, "...All of us, different backgrounds, moving as one, through art, music, poetry, love." Melbourne rapper Mantra makes a brief appearance and Musa launches into LAK$A, joking that he's "not here to introduce poetry to the masses, but to make laksa the national dish." Tipsy crowd members are overheard professing their love for laksa as they jump along enthusiastically.

'90s hip hop classics keep the room buzzing. L-FRESH The LION's band is ready and after a brief welcome from MC Mirrah -  hype girl extraordinaire and back-up singer, L-FRESH settles into the groove of Pray For Me, from new album Become. His flow is smooth and effortless. He's comfortable on stage and this relaxed energy feeds back into the crowd. He begins the next track with eyes closed and hands joined, as if in prayer.

Slow burner Faithful is a crowd pleaser, and before L-FRESH brings it back to Become, he tells us it's "filled with complexities of comparing strength and struggle". He's gracious and continuously thanks the audience for appreciating songs that were hard for him to share. Surprise guest Remi took it to the next level with a few quick bars and a high intensity performance of 1 In 100,000. L-FRESH steps out once more, sharing inspirational stories of Punjabi activists, queens and his very own mother. Khalsa, Musa, Remi and Mantra jump onto the stage as everyone vibes out to the Punjabi party phrase 'Balle! Balle!' This is truly the most ethnically diverse stage in Melbourne tonight, and it's beautiful. It's the future.