Fresh from supporting Tinie Tempah on his UK arena tour, J. Cole embarked on a gig tour of England, headlining his own show in the country for the first time. It was his first chance to showcase a full set list of his three mix tapes and debut studio album Cole World: The Sideline Story.
In contrast to many recent hip hop gigs I've been to, the audiences were mainly mid to late 20's males, and the atmosphere was of a raw, club gig full of hip hop heads. Cole came onto stage after an impressive set from his DJ to Cole World - which got the crowd pumped straight away, people reciting each line word for word.
He swerved from mix tape to album, and back to mix tape. Thanking fans and talking to the crowd in between each track, showing his humble, grateful nature for the success he's experiencing.
He rattled off the big songs with Rise and Shine, Mr Nice Watch and In The Morning, then took the show into an almost lull, and became the first rapper I've seen perform sitting down, as he pulled out a stool to perform his emotive track Lost Ones. Nobody's Perfect and Daddy's Little Girl also followed.
He continued to get the crowd singing along in a deafening chorus, when he played the keyboard intro to Lights Please. Then Cole proceeded to ask which fans had purchased his album, and each of his mix tapes, drawing nostalgic approval from his more long term fans, but still involving the newer crowd in the venue.
Cole has a natural stage presence, and he showed this from start to finish, looking comfortable, and working the energy in the room, before launching into an encore with his track Farewell from Friday Night Lights, saying farewell to his audience, addressing almost everyone individually.
Cole showed that his passion for the music in the studio is genuine, as well as his talent, and this ranks up there with one of my best gigs.
On a side note; the venue was very accessible, service at the bar was quick, there was no overcrowding, and the sound system was crisp and clear.
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