It’s been a while since I’ve been at a decent hip-hop show. Knowing full well that Adelaide is a town where hip-hop has the tendency to fall on the deaf ears of the majority, unless you’re part of the Hilltop Hoods, tonight’s gig at The Gov proved that the hive of activity which represents the local love for this music is most definitely active - and it’s all-ages inclusive. Tonight, I’m out covering the first show of Illy's latest tour, and whilst around me, an equal amount of teenage boys and adult guys hung about in their polished kicks and hoodies, chatting to some of the hyped-up girls, giving me the impression I was at a pop concert as opposed to a hip-hop gig.

Opening the show to a decent crowd this Friday night is Sietta, the Darwin duo who’ve been smashing crowds nationwide recently with their huge wall of sound and equally-as-powerful vocals. One of Elefant Traks’ latest recruits, Sietta had only played The Gov last month as part of The Herd’s national tour. Backed by the impressive vocals of local singers Rayaa, it wasn’t long before James Mangohig and Caiti Baker sent beats and soulful lyrics penetrating through the crowd. With the release of their debut record The Seventh Passenger earning its props on Triple J and on the live circuit, it was nice to look about and see some people singing along despite the fact the album has only spawned two singles. Baker hypnotises and dominates the space she performs in, cutting loose not only vocally but also through dance movements, which seem to come as a natural reaction to the beats her musical partner was furiously creating to the left of stage. While a cover of Marcy Playground’s 1997 hit “Sex and Candy” only resonated truly with those old enough to remember the bulk of the decade, possibly the biggest response came with the duo’s closing number, “What Am I Supposed To Do?”. With these guys hitting up Peats Ridge later on in the year, no doubt support gigs like these are only just the beginning.

Sydney’s Spit Syndicate took their spots onstage after a short DJ set provided by M-Phazes, who kept the vibes going, dropping some tunes which pleased everyone as they waited for equipment to be shuffled off and onstage. The duo, who I’d only really heard snippets of over the past year or so, were welcomed extremely well from the onset. Never lacking in energy, Spit Syndicate delivered tunes which balanced that quintessential arrogance of Aussie rap artists with an edge of funk and soul brilliantly. Between the two MCs, Nick Lupi and Jimmy Nice, it was hard to tell where they stopped for a decent break. The surprise of their set came from Spit Syndicate’s DJ, Joyride, who provided guest vocals which seemed to have similar effects on a decent part of the crowd as well. Exuding vocal control and soulful tones that I wasn’t expecting at all, the DJ earned well-deserved whoops and screams as he sung from behind his decks/laptop set up. The level of honesty which came through Spit Syndicate’s music tonight was at times unreal, something which really caught my attention.

In the five or so minutes before the headliner took to the stage, The Gov had truly filled up. Girls had taken up their spots on top of the booths, while everyone else seemed to cram themselves together in front of the stage. The screams from said girls on booths, signifying Illy’s entrance, was amazing to witness – this guy wasn’t just a rap star, he was being welcomed as a rock star. To be fair, he does have the qualities which would be endearing to such an audience: he has the personality, actual talent as a lyricist/performer, and of course, he’s incredibly good looking – all up, a triple threat.

Bouncing about with an arm bandaged up as a result of a tumble down stairs at his hotel, Illy showed off many reasons as to why he’s gathered such a momentum on the scene of late. Although it’s been his latest record The Chase which has, in my mind, truly brought the rapper to the attention of a wider audience, Illy’s lyricism and handling of the way rhymes and beats connect is featured on a lot of his earlier material as well, something which he demonstrated at various points tonight. While his style was definitely more aggressive than that of the previous two acts the crowd had been treated to, the Melbournian had the crowd in the palm of his hand in record time. “Rock Star Shit” and “Pictures” off 2009’s Long Story Short had people jumping mentally, whilst there were moments of slight tenderness when “Diamonds” was performed, rendering the ladies around me, and I’m sure in the rest of the venue, completely useless to do anything to help themselves.

Although predictable, I would have to say that a personal highlight came with the set closer “Cigarettes”. It sounds so personal on record but witnessing it performed live was equally as special. Arms waving in unison, collective belting out of the lyrics, the song served as a great way to finish up what was an entertaining show. Though he’s still relatively fresh on the wider music scene, I’d have to say that Illy’s shown his intelligence and cleverness as an artist by employing such a variety of producers and guest vocalists in forming his material and it definitely has paid off, thus far at least, going by the absolutely manic reception he caused tonight.