Live Review: Seth Sentry, REMI, Nico Ghost

Nico Ghost swaggers on stage with an eye-drawing arrogance. A sold out 170 Russell sees a swarm of people hugging the barrier as Ghost captivates the diverse crowd. Singles Coolin' and Night Terrors have the head-nodding crowd hypnotised by Ghost's deep tonal flow. His audience seems lost in his mesmerising lyrics, as if unaware of the dark content he's known for layering throughout his tracks. Haunted by Ghost's egotism, the creativity behind his bass-heavy tracks has us cheering for where this night is headed.

An iconic beard and hat — unmistakably Sensible J — step out from behind the drum kit. A casual REMI struts out on stage, mic already in hand. His energy and enthusiasm invite a roar from the overflowing dancefloor. N'fa Jones joins REMI on stage for opener XTC Party, and the pair are a force to be reckoned with. Bounding across stage, REMI commands audience participation with "No one hates you, like you hate you," while singles such as Sangria and For Good flood the room with a relaxed yet rhythmic atmosphere. REMI effortlessly flows his compelling narrative through an acoustic-sounding Ode To Ignorance. Later, the crowd screams for freestyles from both Jones and REMI. With flawless drumming (and production) from J, the duo have hands waving for latest single Substance Therapy and establish that their house is by no means beige.

Enter a hooded Seth Sentry. Immediately, red strobes flicker across his live drummer and DJ (Sizzle), while the audience is deafening in their welcome. Sentry owns the microphone as he performs a heavy bass remix of Campfire. A 'toast-smelling' aroma that cannot be cigarettes shrouds the front row as singles My Scene and Room For Rent reverberate throughout the awestruck audience. Sentry's Campaign Trail tour is stacked with singles. We hang on every word as they chant, "It's the hardest thing to do/To look like them but feel like you," as Sizzle crowdsurfs to the back of the room (and back again!), much to the dismay of security. No stranger to a raucous party, Sizzle sculls two beers before returning to the decks. REMI returns for a collaborative Nobody Like Me and the room is absolutely lit. The gentle keys of Float Away begin. Sentry has to stop the offbeat clapping from fans, explaining, "I'm known to be honest and that's the shittest it's ever sounded." Unaffected by Sentry's accusation, the room is jumping with feelgood hip hop. Sentry's hometown show is vibing from front to back. A final rendition of Sorry completes an incredible performance by Sentry that certainly needs no apology.