Dizzee Rascal brought the heat to Melbourne's Forum on Saturday night as part of his We Want Bass tour.
The sold-out show (1 February), the first of two back-to-back nights in the city, was nothing short of electric, with fans already buzzing in the queue that stretched around the block.Support act Songer set the stage for an unforgettable night, with the room humming with anticipation even before the main event. The British rapper's bold stage presence and fiery delivery got fans in the crowd bouncing early.
Fans of both Dizzee Rascal and Songer crowded around the barricade, relishing in "the best night of their lives," as one fan put it after the show's close.
Songer's blend of grime, hip hop, and drum & bass-influenced tracks hit all the right notes, especially during 'Vino Bandit', which had the already-packed crowd waving their hands to the audacious beat, ensuring the energy stayed high as more people continued to pour in.
Songer - image © Harrison Innes
By the time Dizzee Rascal's set was about to begin, the Forum had packed out to the brim, the crowd swelling with excitement. The space felt like it had doubled in size in just 15 minutes as the final pre-show buzz hit fever pitch.
Dizzee Rascal hit the stage to a roar of excitement, and it was clear right away he was here to bring the house down. His delivery was flawless, the mic practically glued to his face as he effortlessly recited each lyric, switching between bars and choruses with the precision of someone who's been doing this for two decades.
The crowd was on fire, feeling like an absolute jungle of bodies, with everyone from die-hard fans to newcomers all bouncing, singing, and moshing as Dizzee rattled through his expansive catalogue.
His connection with the audience was undeniable, making sure everyone felt seen – whether it was videographers, photographers, the crowd, or his own DJ; everyone got a piece of the Dizzee.
Dizzee Rascal - image © Harrison Innes
With such a large catalogue, some cult favourites were bound to be missed, even in the wild hour-and-a-half set – most notably tracks from 2017's 'Raskit', among others.
In their place, the UK grime artist gave the audience sneak peeks of two brand-new tracks and an eclectic fusion of rave and acid house remixes and blends of familiar songs, including a teaser of 'Bonkers' early in the set.
By the time everyone's favourites came along, such as 'Holiday', 'Dance Wiv Me', and, of course, 'Bassline Junkie', the crowd was well-prepared to give the renowned artist all they had. Dizzee knew exactly what the crowd wanted and needed, serving up these tracks with an undying cheeky grin glued to his face.
In Dizzee Rascal's case, some bangers will never not bang. With a scream only matched by those found at Taylor Swift concerts, the legendary track 'Bonkers' closed the high-octane night, leaving the audience buzzing long after the last note had faded.
Dizzee Rascal - image © Harrison Innes
As the lights came back on and the crowd slowly trickled out, it was clear: Dizzee Rascal's connection to his Australian fans remains as strong as ever. As the We Want Bass tour continues, Dizzee Rascal is set to bring his unrelenting hype to more fans around the country, like only he can.
More photos from the concert.
