After some hassles of getting in, (always the way in small town venues), which resulted in possibly a few too many rounds of beer, I was finally able to enjoy some fine aussie hip-hop. Not usually the type of music I choose to listen to, nor attend live, but this was a special occasion and to kick off the night I was treated to plasticmoney, a hip hop artist who originated on the NSW south coast and was back tonight to stamp his signature tunes on the town.

Well, very impressed by this up-and-coming MC! The lyrics were original and fresh, the beats were funky, the vibe was energetic. Plasticmoney sits on the left side of the mainstream aussie hip-hop, and his tracks "Summer Fun" and "Baby Bounce" really created fun and liveliness throughout the room and set up a great atmosphere for the acts that were to follow. This is an MC to really keep on eye on, it’s not often I come across undiscovered talent such as this guy.

Next on stage was Johnny Utah, who in the past has supported acts like Urthboy and Seth Sentry, and has collaborated with Phatchance as well as others. Not overly excited about his set tonight, however the already drunken crowd at Sussex Tavern seemed to enjoy it, and I wasn’t complaining.

Following Utah, M-Phazes from Melbourne took to the spotlight. Now this guy really stepped things up a notch. M-Phazes is known to create mad beats and tonight was no exception. Pumping out popular tunes like "Empire State of Mind" and "The Festival Song", M-Phazes knows how to mix and do it well. His set managed to get almost everyone on the dancefloor, especially once he pulled out Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing In The Name”, the clear highlight of the night. The addition of a live drummer during Hilltop Hoods “Nosebleed Section” was a welcome surprise and an unexpected delight.

M-Phazes still on stage, he introduces the headliner Illy, by this stage there are a lot of messed up south coaster’s and they are well and truly ready for the party Illy is bringing to Sussex Tavern. Of course there were the usual 18 year old girls in the front row screaming and confessing Illy is the love of their life, but even the rest of this packed out pub fell in love with Illy tonight. He seems to have an infectious fun attitude happening, which resonates throughout the room. Despite not knowing a whole lot of Illy’s tracks, I did find myself getting right into the music of the night and somehow enjoying the Aussie hip-hop being served up. Most would agree set highlight would have to be closer, his latest single "Cigarettes".

The small town of Sussex Inlet on the south coast doesn’t get its fair dose of live music as there is clearly a support and following just aching for more of these live Australian acts to come to town.