As I swing open the doors of the grand O2 Academy and descend into its art deco main hall I take a moment to survey its sold out crowd.
I increasingly become aware that I am a man in his late 20s at a Macklemore gig…
Any sort of trepidation I have with this is soon alleviated with the almightily epic introduction of heavy beats and rhythmical piano.
The man himself comes onto stage and bursts into album opener ‘Ten Thousand Hours’.
He makes the crowd go wild by the mere mention of our home country and I can’t help but smile.
My complete cynicism of this gig, sorry, concert are washed away and I join in with some head nodding to the beat-maker Ryan Lewis’ tracks, supported by an eight-piece band.
In between tracks we get an insight into the Seattle rappers personal struggles with addiction and how he’s overcoming it.
Macklemore also takes this time to touch upon equality and the current civil rights movement.
I overhear two lads in front of me saying: “I’m going to start crying if he plays ‘Thrift Shop’”.
The obvious highlight of the night is internet hit ‘Thrift Shop’.
Guest vocalist Wanz is introduced and puts everyone to shame by being the coolest person to grace the stage.
I glance at my two emotional lads who are now arm in arm, “If they go, I’m going to start…” I think to myself.
During the blasts of confetti and bassy marching band songs you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’re at the super bowl final.
He’s wonderfully American – loud, brash and above all confident, all this coming from a rapper who intentionally isn’t signed by a major label.
Despite playing ‘Cant Hold Us’ twice (once during the main set list and again during the encore) the Glasgow crowd lap it up each time.
Rest assured major label or not this isn’t the last time he will be here and next time he’ll be welcomed back with open arms.
Words: Ben Nairn
