Public Enemy were blistering, delivering a monster two hour and 40 minute set, which was meant to last 90 minutes. The band which held the performance together wouldn’t have been out of place in a top blues club over the pond, and DJ Lord – who had the unenviable task of stepping into legendary Terminator X’s shoes – must have more fast-twitch fibres in his hands than Usain Bolt has in his entire body. Frontman Chuck D is as sharp today as he has ever been, but the night was all about iconic hypeman Flavor Flav. Be it waxing lyrical about Brighton, diving into the crowd, lovingly pouring water into the mouths of the front row, calling fans on stage or delivering speeches on separatism – he was on fire.
In the mish-mash of garbage that’s polluting the modern music industry, it was a delight to hear a hip-hop thoroughbred in full flow. Some that Don’t Believe The Hype might have drifted away, but the packed and varied crowd at Concorde 2 still had Public Enemy as number one.
Twelve studio albums, two live albums, four compilation albums, two remix albums, 39 singles, an induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and 32 years in the game speaks for itself.
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