Review: Flavour Live

September 18, 2011

Having never had the pleasure to attend a Flavour Live event, I was quite excited to find out what the experience would be like as I set off to Avalon in Shoreditch, London ready to indulge in entertainment from unsigned, underground UK talents: Hatty Keane, Steelo 1, Jaya, Dray Delta, RIO, Ebru, Crystal Celebrity, Meany, Joel Culpepper and girl group RD [below].

Arriving at the venue, the selection of music being provided by DJ Longers and DJ Chef was top notch, causing mine and everyone elses excitement levels to increase even further. Setting the pace on stage was Dray Delta. First song ‘Minimal’ featuring G-Range reminded me ‘Slang Like This’ from P-Money but his second number ‘Bobby Brownz’ a track about worn down leaning Ugg boots was very comical and original receiving a good response from the audience. Followed by Jaya who started her set with a cover of Rhianna’s ‘What’s My Name’ to warm up her vocals. Finishing up with her own track ‘Lights Go Out’ which is a more relaxed performance and flows much better than the previous.

Joe Culpepper’s performance was very lively. As he asserts himself on stage while singing about his ex-girlfriend “Tell your friends about me” is a line that causes a smirk to appear. His second number, an acoustic jam, had some of the audience dancing along with his stage jive. Joe Culpepper leaves the stage to huge applause as does is successor Hatty Keane who also boasts a very striking image [left]. First number ‘Feel’ seductively causes the body to sway, but ‘Best Kept Secret’ her current single carries a different electronic vibe which I would describe as dance entwined with rock. Experimental but works well.
Highly anticipated act of the night RD (Ruff Diamondz) take to the stage and open up with an acoustic cover of Wretch 32’s ‘Don’t Go’ showing off their vocal capabilities. Rounding up their set with their latest single ‘Got Me Burning’, RD work both the stage and audience the best way they know how. RD make way for Manchester rapper Rio, who has just entered the building and gone straight to the stage after driving over 200 miles from Manachester to perform especially for Flavour Live. RIO [pictured below] puts down a lively performance of his tracks ‘Playground’ and ‘Transformer’, and then chills out after his set for a chat and giggle with the Flavour ladies and other event attendees.

After a short interval with entertainment again supplied by DJ Longers, the show continues with Ebru who receives great interaction from audience. Her steady flow is impressive, a style of rap with vocal injections in all the right places. Her second number ‘Prisoner’ which depicts what being stuck in relationship is like, goes down very well. I can’t help but take note of Ebru’s very smooth vocals and quality range, before she leaves the stage to well deserved whistles and cheers from the audience.

Another rapper fom Manchester, Meany, takes to the stage and throws down a number of bars for the audience before making way for Crystal Celebrity. Accompanied by 2 backing singers and guitarist who finish their set with a smooth and soulful rendition of Bob Marley classic ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’, the songstress has the audience singing along and feeling the melody within their bones.

Last act for the night Steelo1 takes to the stage with ‘International Lover’, heating up the place with a bashment flavour before declaring that he’s ‘Better Than Your Boyfriend’. Charming a female or two in the audience Steelo1 graces the stage well telling his spectators a little bit about himself before finishing up with R&B jam ‘Round The World’ which definitely holds commercial marketability.

Performances finished, DJ Longers continues with a selection to please those who aren’t ready to leave, hoping to savour the last drop of enjoyment being provided tonight at Flavour Live.

Check out more pics from the night…

Steelo 1 and Ebru clutching their copies of the new Flavour Magazine Issue 27…read it now HERE!

Flavour Magazine Co-Owner Leonard Foster (centre), Flavour Live Events Manager & Staff Writer Catherine Ababio (left) and Flavour Writer Maz Halima Khan (right)…

Fans striking a pose for our photographer…