Live Review: Ladi6, Homebrew

Walking into the artistic chaos that is the Chevron Festival Gardens, you know you're in for a treat. Two DJs spinning from an old jalopy were keeping punters entertained while they ate and drank waiting for the show. But it wasn't long before the call came out for everyone to come to the main stage.
Homebrew took the stage and showed that this wasn't just another skip hop act. The guys rhyme hardcore but still don't take themselves too seriously.  Some bands banter about the background of their songs, or about something they're working on – but not these guys. They tell the crowd to just imagine this is happening in a backyard and they're all just chillin'. Cups of Hennessy on ice in one hand, mics in the other, the three homies rapped to music from a live backing band (guitar, bass, keys, and drums) but definitely lacking the brass section that was touted on Facebook. They even showed some love on stage for Abraham, the guitarist, by singing him Happy Birthday.
After well and truly getting the crowd pumped up the guys made way for New Zealand's answer to Mary J Blige, none other than Ladi6. Hitting the stage with a korowai around her shoulders (Donna working security by the pit was quick to mention that the feathers are all hand attached on these things; talk about craftsmanship!) and a dress by Perth designer Monsters Alphabet, Ladi kicked off the show with Shine On dedicated “for the lovers”. Ladi kept the flow going right in to Bang Bang from her album The Liberation Of… before stopping for a moment to introduce the title track from Automatic. She said it was all about trusting yourself – knowing you have the skills to do whatever it is you need to do. And the confidence on stage while singing that just magnified the point she was trying to make. Before capping off the night Ladi introduced the band to the crowd and finished off with Call You Out, dedicated “to the ladies – let's call 'em out!”