The day was still bright and the heat was still searing as Lupe Fiasco hit the stage.
While the cheers were loud, the crowd was either paralysed by the heat or just saving their best screams for the headliner. Lupe would not accept the mediocre reaction and did an excellent and very natural job of raising energy levels in between performing his hits 'Touch The Sky', 'Kick Push' and 'Superstar'.
Lupe Fiasco © Jann AngaraHis tag line for the set was “Brisbane you ain’t ready!” to which the entire Riverstage would shout back “Lupe you ain’t ready!”. He urged everyone standing up on the grassed arena to fill in the spaces of the blocked off VIP section in front of the stage and after some clear hesitation from the crowd he yelled out “There are only two of them (referring to security) how they gon’ stop you?”. This sent people running into the section and secured him the moshpit he craved for. Lupe performed a few new songs from his upcoming new album 'Tetsuo & Youth' then had every one singing Guy Sebastian’s chorus for 'Battlescars'.
Lupe Fiasco © Jann AngaraClick here for more photos from the night.
B.o.B comes out in a wife beater and what appeared to be cut out shorts over some fitted sweat pants. Riverstage by night was packed out which may have been helped by the last minute $50 tickets. Either way it was undoubtedly a successful turn out for Epic Presents first tour.
© Jann AngaraThe Atlanta native, whose songs were probably the most least known of the three featured artists, seemed to just be genuinely enjoying his party type set. He was jumping and diving into the crowd, shaking hands and grabbing people’s phones to take selfies (not to mention stopping everything to take that group selfie from the stage).
B.o.B © Jann AngaraThe adoring crowd, although not die-hard fans of his music, were loving his presence screaming and jumping in to cop a feel – these are not just female fans either. His set was a mix of his American hits including ‘Strange Clouds, ‘Bet I’ , ‘Magic’ and ‘Nothing On You’; him ad-libbing and dancing with the crowd to hip-hop, party tracks and getting everyone singing along to ‘Airplanes’ and ‘Price Tag’.
B.o.B © Jann AngaraNoughties rap superstar Nelly entered the stage with fellow St Lunatic, Ali, to 'St Louie’ as the lights and smokes machines got turnt up. He immediately called for his mic to be turned up as his speedy, melodious drawl was lost to the crowd. This was clear when he asked everyone to sing/rap the breakout 'Country Grammar' to which the response was almost silent. Either the crowd didn’t fully know what was going on about because they couldn’t hear properly, or they couldn’t keep up with the speed and the words of the song or the youngins screaming and occupying front stage just didn’t know old-school Nelly.
Nelly © Jann AngaraThe rapper just laughed it off and then performed an impressive remixed version in which he also recited a verse enunciating each word and then switched back to a killer sped up verse. He and Ali went through almost all the songs from his nine albums. Newer track 'Hey Porche' didn’t sound so bad mixed in after 'Ride Wit’ Me'. As expected some girls – who were carefully plucked through out the evening – were asked on stage. A 14-year-old surprised him, so he played it safe and serenaded her with 'All In My Head instead of getting her to drop down and "get her eagle on".
Nelly © Jann AngaraAnother guest sang Kelly Rowland’s coveted chorus from' Dilemma' which had the crowd erupting. It had been four years since he performed in Australia and it was clear that Nelly had enough hits in his repertoire to tour for the rest of his life without having to release anything new (not to mention his various products, movies, TV shows and other endless ventures). Every single body in the generationally mixed crowd knew a Nelly song.
