Live Review: Seth Sentry, Grey Ghost

Outside, the queue is long and the “Sold Out” signs are posted everywhere. Inside, Grey Ghost is off to a flyer, bounding about the stage and showcasing his formidable lyrical skill. For this set, he's going solo without even a DJ on stage. For anyone who has seen a Grey Ghost set with the full complement of instrumentalists and back-up vocalists, this feels a little thinner than normal and it doesn't give the man with the mic much of an opportunity for his ever-brilliant banter. He performs his tracks with aplomb though, building the audience's enthusiasm with numbers like The Machine and his brilliant Rapper Tag. A spectacular rendition of Dynamite closes the set, fuelled by so much energy that in this moment, the stage seems barely able to contain him. All of a sudden it can't, as he goes for a quick crowd surf, still delivering the final lines.

The formidable opening notes of Star Wars' infamous Imperial March are heard before Seth Sentry bursts on stage, clad in a Reservoir Dogs-inspired suit and belting out Vacation. Best, nerdiest entrance ever! (His drummer, continuing the nerd vibe, is merrily shooting a Nerf gun into the audience.) The crowd are absolutely beside themselves, frantic to hail their hometown hero. Having finally released his debut album This Was Tomorrow, it's clear Seth Sentry is in the mood to taste his success.

The set is dominated primarily by tracks off the new album, with a few choice selections from his previous release The Waiter Minute EP thrown in for good measure. Anyone who saw him on stage back when he was touring that EP can't help but notice how far he's come. Sentry is now the consummate showman, delivering his rhymes with confidence and completely at home when occupying centre stage. He gets the crowd grooving to Dear Science and lets them shout their hearts out to old favourite Train Catcher. Most interestingly, he genuinely engages with his crowd – as well as the perfunctory high fives and handshakes, he chats with audience members and invites one fan with a Float Away-inspired tattoo up on stage.

Grey Ghost returns to the stage and the two MCs perform an inspired freestyle before Sentry drops old favourite The Waitress Song, followed by a clear new favourite, Room For Rent. The evening closes with an encore performance of Float Away and, despite lasting for well over an hour, the set from this accomplished young man feels like it's ended far too soon.