In the wake of announcements that there will be a snap general election in less than 30 days, The Undercover Hippy’s latest tour, celebrating the launch of new crowdfunded album, Truth & Fiction, at The Maze, couldn’t have been more timely.
Against a backdrop of global instability; political and moral turbulence, the lyrics of Undercover Hippy (aka Billy Rowan) are topical, the catalyst that provoke thought, instill the idea of change and boost optimism in a world of skepticism and disdain.
…but not before you dance to them first!
It’s been almost three years since the success of his 2014 acclaimed studio album, Monkey Suit and Rowan has returned to the road to celebrate, backed by a full band; keys, drums, bass and backing vocals.
The crowds’ dancing shoes had already been broken in thanks to the high voltage fusion of reggae, hip-hop and gypsy of support act Unknown Era. These guys are definitely doing something right, having already won over the ears and hearts of fans on the local music circuit. Their formula of energetic and catchy melodies was infectious to watch and hear, making even the stiffest member of the audience bust a move! They were the perfect apertif.
The Undercover Hippy delivered a tight, energetic set to a mix of both old and young, From the moment Rowan started strumming, it became clear that his audience of dedicated fans has missed hearing his combination of soulful vocals, reggae and cheeky on-stage charm live. And that even newer fans appreciated it. It’s a far cry from his time spent DJ-ing on the Drum and Bass circuit but his lyrical delivery, potentially reminiscent of his MC-ing days, thankfully remains.
Treating them to firm favourites Coming to the Gambia, Human Race and Money, Money, Money, Rowan’s audienced needed no encouragement to dance. The super cheeky Boyfriend, one of my favourites – especially live – got the crowd “whooping” and “cooing” while throwing in latest single Rise & Fall – which laments about the struggle between wealth and power – set the stage alight.
A definite summer jam, it was a funky reminder that in a world of Syria, ISIS, May and Trump there is still some hope. Is it time the cycle of “history repeating itself” ended?
It’s hard to believe that his anti-establishment lyrics paired with a dish-the-dirt melody could blow the roof off such an intimate stage and modest capacity venue, but somehow it just works and the crowd rocked with dance deliration from beginning to end.
The welcome and rather unexpected encore, when the Hippy’s eager audience wanted more couldn’t have bought anything better than Last Chance to Dance with its spicy beats, a final reminder of just how ridiculously tight the quartet’s play had been the whole night.
By Nadya Jaworskyi
