28 March 2007 (gig)
29 March 2007
Good things come to those who wait and North London rapper Jack Allsopp knows this more than most. Three years after his criminally underrated debut LP The Outer Marker was overlooked by an urban record-buying public who only had eyes for The Streets, last night’s gig at the Astoria marked a triumphant homecoming and confirmation of his new status as the nation’s favourite street laureate.
Opening the bill last night was Fulham’s finest, Example. Part of Mike Skinner’s fledgling imprint, The Beats, the rhymester took to the stage with his bass player Brother Sheldrake and DJ Rusher dropping We’ve Only Just Begun by The Carpenters on the decks. The sample-heavy set soon had the crowd bopping along with his self-deprecating bars and knowing cultural references. Most blokes in the audience will be able to empathise with his lyrics, with Example at one point steadfastly refusing to go shopping with his girlfriend to Karen Millen to buy yet another black dress. Other songs sampled artists as varied as Britney Spears and The Rolling Stones. His debut album is imminent, so if you like The Streets and other label mates The Mitchell Brothers, then it will definitely be up your street.
When it was Allsopp’s turn to take to the stage, you could feel his gratitude that now is finally his time. He seemed genuinely overwhelmed by a full house singing along to his songs and you can’t help but feel he deserves it after his protracted rise to the top. Complemented by an excellent band and backing singer, Allsopp reeled off most of the finer points of Overtones, which is an early front runner for 2007’s album of the year. With this type of music it is often difficult to replicate the sound of the LP in the live arena - as anyone who has seen The Streets live can testify - but many tracks were reworked and given an extra spark.
Debut 7' Snowflakes was given an airing, along with Triple Tone Eyes, also off the first album. Allsopp treated the masses to a new number, Goth In The Disco, which was given rapturous applause. It tells the story of a teenager going to a local nightclub and burning it down to show her contempt and disgust for everyone there. Written too late for inclusion on Overtones, it is likely to be released as a single later in the year. An electro-tinged stomper, it should be a hit, but Allsopp jokingly expressed concern over a backlash from angry Goths upset over the lyrical content.
New single Glory Days sounded even more delilicously uplifting in the flesh and the encore was rounded off with a stellar version of Starz In Their Eyes, interrupted only by Allsopp telling the crowd to stop filming it on their video cameras so they could enjoy it properly.
There is something of the everyman about Jack Allsopp and you can’t help but feel happy that this talented lyricist is finally getting the recognition he deserves. You know he won’t take his time in the spotlight for granted, and as he says on the new single, he’s satisfied just to be Just Jack and just that, still intact.
