Live Review: Urthboy, Okenyo

Okenyo warmed up a sold out crowd last night at the Newtown Social with her laidback yet personal rhymes. The Sydney-based artist doesn't seem to have found her strongest footing yet, but tracks like Just A Story are certainly a step in the right direction.

Later, Urthboy took to the stage with a humble energy that didn't go unnoticed, launching straight into material from his up-and-coming album The Past Beats Inside Me Like A Second Heartbeat set to release on 4 March. It's the fifth instalment in his solo career and captures some great musical moments due to its catchy upbeat hooks and steady flow.

The sold out crowd also enjoyed the company and smiling faces of Joyride and the Horrorshow duo (Solo and Adit) paying homage to their fellow rapper and the larger, ever emerging Aussie hip hop scene.

Utilising the chorus of three back-up singers, Urthboy launched into Hellsong and The Arrow, and the crowd nodded along without skipping a beat. Urthboy's humble mentality benefits his great crowd interaction, which included a skit in which his mum called asking why he wasn't home for dinner.

"The Newtown Social Club is like an arena now compared to the venues that have shut down recently," he said, taking a breath to address the present issue for Sydney's musicians and fans alike. Knee Length Socks was then dedicated to this matter, which entailed an anecdote from his time spent in Kings Cross.

As the crowd moved away from the trademark head bop of hip hop, their hands were inevitably thrown up and Urthboy flung into We Get Around which boasted an incredibly catchy chorus that's sure not to leave our heads for days to come.

Having worked closely with Hermitude in 2012 a groovy cover of Your Call makes an appearance giving the DJ a chance to spin centre stage.

Urthboy closed with a terrific version of Meg Mac's hit Roll Up Your Sleeves, leaving the crowd thoroughly satisfied yet undeniably wanting more.