Music > Live Reviews

DJ Format and Abdominal

Norwich Arts Centre

27/05/17

Friday night vibes at the Arts Centre are always vibrant, and a sold out summer's evening of hip hop hosted by Englishman DJ Format and Canadian Abdominal means the audience are fully in party mode tonight despite the heat.

Chrome and Ill Inspired support, with their  jazzy, catchy set which easily stands up proudly alongside the best 90's hip hop. Bill and Mike glow with confidence and it takes about five minutes for everyone to get onboard - their bouncy energy is truly infectious. They've got some real fans in the room tonight, and for the few who haven't seen them before (where have you been?) it's a brilliant initiation.

Format starts by spinning some funky soul tunes, and we all join the national and European one minute silence for the recent terrorist attack in Manchester at 9:59. The set proper begins shortly after, and although the room is jam packed with pumped fans it takes a few songs for us all to get onboard - it just feels a little flat for some reason. Perhaps it's because we're all still thinking of Manchester, or maybe because it's not quite loud enough to immerse ourselves, although the volume increases to a much better level in time. Nonetheless, Abdominal is truly fantastic with the crowd, speaking inbetween every track and reinforcing their policy that they are performing with us, not for us. Abdominal has a smooth, rolling style, and shows off with some awesomely speedy sections at times - however his voice is not particularly unique and lyrics not as syncopated as I would ideally like so my attention isn't always entirely focused. But he's solid, and Format is solid too on the ones and twos, scratching and occasionally joining in on some lines. A cover of The Pharcyde's Passin' Me By goes down a treat, and their hour and a half set covers well selected and much appreciated like classic oldies Ugly Brothers and Vicious Battle Raps alongside tracks from their new album like Dirt - a belter of a collection. Abdominal points out that we are the danciest audience they've had so far on the tour, and indeed Norwich is getting down with its bad sweaty self in spades tonight. The fun doesn't stop after the set finishes, with Format playing a series of funk and soul 7" classics.

A satisfyingly long set from a couple of energetic and passionate hip hop heads, who should feel proud and happy that not only are they still able to make fantastic music together after over 14 years but also that their fans are still proper bonkers for them.