Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
Thurs 22 Sept
words: GARETH LUDKIN
★★★★☆
From listening to Ghostpoet’s Mercury-nominated debut, Peanut Butter Blues And Melancholy Jam, you would do well to work out that Obaro Ejimiwe used to be heavily involved in Coventry’s UK grime scene. Although still influenced by these early grime-infused days, Ghostpoet (now London-based) has clearly come a long way since, with his unique blend of instrumental riffs, rap and synth wizardry pricking up the ears of artists, critics and audiences alike.
Signed to Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label, Ghostpoet has appeared over the past year like a breath of fresh air in the UK music scene. His critically-acclaimed collection of synthed beats and wistful beat poetry has reawakened a somewhat slumbering interest in UK rap and MC talent. His songs are human, layered and full of character. With his album receiving so much attention, crowds are bound to be large for his first full-length UK headlining tour of the UK. This was in evidence in Cardiff at the first date of his tour.
Clearly thriving off the energy of the packed crowd at Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach – the welcome replacement venue following the sudden and unexpected closure of Cardiff Arts Institute – Ghostpoet and band eased into their first night with confidence, self assurance and little sign of nerves. I managed to see Ghostpoet earlier this year in a small basement in Hay-on-Wye; Packed with energy, superb drum solos and great interaction with the crowd, his set was made for a small and intimate venue.
In a live concoction of drums, guitar, synth and vocals, Ghostpoet delivered a performance packed with experimentation, intrigue and popular album tracks. Survive It and Liiines proved early crowd-pleasers, while one or two of his new songs didn’t seem to quite hit the spot for an audience keen to hear more of Peanut Butter.
With Ghostpoet’s fantastic drummer delivering a brilliant set of rhythmic beats, intuitive changes in pace and measured crescendos, Ghostpoet’s live set offered the audience a different take on his recorded sound. Ghostpoet’s vocals still managed to sound crisp and clear, with his sweetly meandering lyrics holding the crowd’s ears. Cash And Carry Me Home as well as Us Against Whatever were also brilliantly delivered.
Although lacking the punch and vigour with which Ghostpoet delivered his set at this year’s How The Light Gets In Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Ejimiwe produced an entertaining and engaging hour of unique genre bending music that takes elements of ambient, rap and electronics to produce an intriguing mix of layered tunes and coarsing beats. A deserved Mecury nomination in my eyes with a live show well worth seeing, it will be exciting to see where Ghostpoet goes next. Fingers crossed for a collaboration with Roots Manuva.