Combining the bounce of contemporary trap music with melancholy, half-rapped and half-crooned vocals, Lil Uzi Vert represents a new wave of hip-hop that throws all sonic boundaries straight into the bin. Moreover, with his $100,000 bejewelled Marilyn Manson chain, he’s an artist that cites the goth anti-hero and artists like Paramore as inspirations, making his rockstar aspirations clear.
Tonight, at his first headline show in Sydney, Lil Uzi lives up to the hype with manic results. As soon as he steps onstage – in a KISS shirt and yellow colour co-ordinated outfit – he has the crowd in the palm of his hand, as he works the entire stage by leaping, jumping, pulling goofy faces and throwing ‘horns up’ gestures at any opportunity. When he slips over onstage, he bounces back by hurling both of his shoes into the audience, and continues on his socks through hits like ‘Money Longer’ and ‘WDYW.’
For the entire duration of the show, the crowd is moshing, heaving and singing back every word to Uzi – and when he plays ‘XO Tour Llif3’ for the second time, Uzi simply gives the microphone to the crowd for their own karaoke version. In a condense set that runs under an hour, Uzi delivers one of the most memorable live debuts we can remember. Despite what you think of his music, you can’t deny the pure energy on display here – and we’re hoping that Uzi returns soon:
