Strolling across Cardiff Bay in 28-degree September heat, it’s already evident that today is a special one, and not only because of the freaky weather. Despite the afternoon sweat, it’s evident everyone’s ready to Push Things Forward to see The Streets, with a hefty lineup beforehand including Local, Emmeline, Zed Bias, My Nu Leng and Kojey Radical.
Rave favourites My Nu Leng, with Dread MC, hypes up the crowd nicely before Brit rapper Kojey Radical takes to the stage. Although the crowd’s excitement was more present for the DJs prior, the more dancey songs in Kojey’s setlist (like his Shy FX and Nile Rodgers collaboration Good Morning), managed to upkeep the buzz.

Shortly before 9 pm, amongst the rushes to the bars and portaloos, the crowd gathers to watch Mike Skinner and his crew. It opens with a climactic buildup, a blue-lit stage with pounding flashing lights – and then the hum of the first chord of Turn The Page. As Skinner strolls to the small runway of the stage, taking a selfie with the crowd, his idiosyncratic voice sounds more monotone than the records.
However, this soon picks up as the song smoothly transitions into 2021 bassline banger Who’s Got The Bag, also showing the contrast in style of the beginning and then the present-day, more electronic sound of The Streets. There’s a dub twist to Don’t Mug Yourself tonight, which gets the crowd going before Skinner sits down for an emotional Never Went To Church. The Streets tonight have made a perfectly balanced setlist of old and new, much to everyone’s delight.

The frontman pays homage frequently throughout the set to Tiger Bay, referencing its multicultural heritage, and even Shirley Bassey, which makes his geezer charm that little bit extra noteworthy – especially when some big bands don’t even remember the name of the place they’re playing in. This consideration for the crowd continues while Skinner comes to the front of the stage and ensures everyone has water in the still-boiling night temperatures.
“When I’m onstage, I don’t fear at all,” Skinner calls out, and this is evident when he announces he’s going to make a beeline for the bar, right from the stage through the crowd. Before I knew it, I’ve just witnessed Mike Skinner sprint past me on a mission for a beverage, and come back onto the stage within moments to conclude the fast-paced set with Take Me As I Am. It may be over 20 years since their first record came out, but The Streets tonight showed they are going nowhere soon – apart from maybe the bar.

Bay Series: The Streets, Alexandra Head, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 7 Sept
words INDIA MUNDAY photos TIM ALBAN
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