Hordern Pavilion became a sea of Culture Kings customers and bros with braided hair as ASAP Rocky returned for a sold out show in Sydney. The Harlem rapper’s latest trip Down Under hasn’t been all smooth sailing – he was attacked in an Auckland elevator earlier this week – but Rocky was all smiles as he looked over the ravenous crowd and kickstarted his set with ‘Lord Pretty Flacko Joyde 2’.

Rocky stormed the stage in a white VLONE hoodie which was quite an accomplishment in itself, considering that the overwhelming heat inside the venue was frying brains left, right and centre. Of his newer cuts, the visceral wooziness of ‘Multiply’ and ‘M’s’ were a treat, while his most left-field single ‘L$D’ was appropriately delivered with psychedelic visuals and swirling colours. After his own performance of the track, support act Raury came onstage to deliver a hypnotic acoustic rendition, turning the audience into a swaying room of lighter flames and phones.

While Rocky’s surprisingly diverse album At.Long.Last.ASAP gave his live show newfound depth, the tried-and-tested bangers still earned the biggest reaction. ‘Hella Hoes’ and ‘Pussy Money Weed’ were quite self explanatory, while ‘Goldie’ and ‘Shabba’ from affiliate ASAP Ferg also got the crowd heaving forward relentlessly.

‘Fuckin Problems’ got the crowd roused, despite the track being played in every club relentlessly since 2013. Rocky also took a brief break to slam Tyler The Creator’s ban from the country, while a tribute to ASAP Yams in ‘Yamborghini High’ saw the late rap figure’s image screened onstage in a Coogi sweater – very Australian! RIP Yams.

Rocky definitely stepped up his live show from previous visits, and his increasingly adventurous catalogue has allowed his performance to expand beyond a temporary turn-up. The additions of House of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’ and Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ mid-way through the set felt unecessary, and left the crowdsmore confused than excited. Still, Rocky’s mid-week jam showed promising signs for the ASAP Mob at large, who’s sonic exploration and aesthetic continue to influence the rap game heavily.