Dizzee Rascal at South Facing Festival
(Picture: Publicity photo)The capital’s newest concert series became mired in controversy when Dizzee Rascal was charged this month with assaulting a woman following an incident in Streatham.
South Facing Festival decided to go ahead with the weekend’s headline performance from the rap legend at the Crystal Palace Bowl, a venue which once hosted Pink Floyd, Bob Marley and Elton John.
The revival of the outdoor amphitheatre after more than a decade is a welcome development. There was also the novelty factor of a stage constructed on the lake, which added a sense of peril whenever acts got too close to the edge.
If the circumstances had turned out differently, support act Ghetts could have stepped up to headline.
A live band accentuated the polished arrangements on the excellent, Mercury-nominated album Conflict Of Interest, while he focused on his ferocious delivery and motivational speeches. At one point, he chastised those ordering drinks at the bar during his set.
Although he remains uncompromising, his live comeback still boasted bangers such as Mozambique and car crime confessional Hop Out, as well as the hard-hitting yet humorous One Take.
For No Mercy, Ghetts confounded the admiring audience with a tune that combined brutal rhymes with pleasing harmonies. This emphatic performance underscored his reputation as one of UK rap’s greats.
Fellow grime pioneer and east Londoner Dizzee Rascal has long held similar claims to prominence, although pop success dented his credibility.
Greeted by a large crowd, Dizzee expressed his appreciation for their support and seemed taken aback to be on a festival stage again (“We’re outside, living!”).
A collaboration with the Outlook Orchestra might have been gimmicky, but the brass and strings were carefully deployed to underpin the big beats and rapid rhymes.
The first hour was an opportunity for Dizzee to demonstrate his refocused, energetic approach to what he termed “old school storytelling”.
Alongside new material like the anthemic L.L.L.L. (Love Life Live Large), there were early classics such as Fix Up, Look Sharp, which prompted some fans to revive the festival tradition of clambering on to a friend’s shoulders. The single’s rock influence was evident again on his riotous rap reworking of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit.
The show peaked with Ghetts guesting on a startling rendition of Eastside, their antsy collaboration from Dizzee’s current album. “I’ve known him a long time,” said Dizzee.
It concluded with a run of hits, including the bleary bass and surging brass of Bonkers and an emotional finale of You Got The Dirtee Love.
Ultimately, Dizzee Rascal’s relentless rap ensured that fans focused on his music rather than the headlines.
South Facing Festival at Crystal Palace Bowl, SE19, until August 29.
southfacingfestival.com
