It’s fairly safe to say that Californian experimental rap trio (tonight performing as a duo, minus drummer Zach Hill) Death Grips are masters of their own hype and the amount of posers in attendance only goes to justify this further.
Some are here out of mere curiosity, some for blaging rights; as to whether Glasgow will get another chance to see Death Grips in action is anyone’s guess.
However the proof that these guys aren’t just hype is there to be heard, they have three critically acclaimed full lengths (one a mixtape), each showing a different side to the band and some shrouded in controversy, controversy that only goes further their legend.
Live they’re a explosive thing to witness, as frontman Stefan Burnett aka MC Ride is a ball of energy, constantly on the move, arms flailing transforming the front part of the audience into a sweaty mess, and Andy “Flatlander” Morin raises the roof from behind his samplers.
Blinding strobes give the crowd the odd glimpse of Ride out of silhouette and he cuts a quite intimidating figure; bald, bearded, tattooed and topless he shouts his lyrics creating a commanding image while Morin engulfs us in bass.
Ride constantly strides the barrier between him and the untamed crowd as the duo launch through tracks from each of the afore mentioned full lengths.
Tonight’s set may be short at around 50 minutes but how anyone could expect them to go on at the same pace for much longer is hard to believe, they deliver noise driven hip-hip drenched in punk attitude, seeing these guys live is breathless stuff, whether it be you cup of tea or not you become engrossed in the sheer presence, power and energy of this act.
What’s next for Death Grips only they will know but on this performance they’ve gone another step to securing their place as one of the most exhilarating acts around.
Words: Iain Dawson
Photos: Gordon Ballantyne
