Following selling out back-to-back shoes at Oxford Art Factory just one year ago, there was little doubt that Ghanian-born MC Genesis Owusu would seen be bringing his signature treasure trove of rhythm and melody to larger and larger venues all across the country. Sadly, the first show of his new slate of headline dates was quickly cut short last night, the floor of the hallowed Enmore collapsing less than three songs into the ARIA winner’s set.
For those of us in the photographer’s pit (and just in the venue in general), you couldn’t even hear the collapsing of the floor, the crowd in a state of confusion as soon as Genesis stopped the tunes. Understandably, everyone’s minds went to the worst as soon as the music ceased and we were made aware of what was happening, especially with the shockwaves of Astroworld still being felt around the globe. Luckily, no one was hurt and the venue handled the situation like absolute pros, punters quickly moving away from the hole in what must of been of the most respectful crowds to take to the Enmore in years (don’t get me started on Brockhampton 2017).
But still, you can imagine the audience’s collective shock at the ridiculousness when their Thursday nights were cut short. The collective cries of anguish of the crowd after being told that the show would have to be rescheduled were bloody heartbreaking as well, especially considering how many times the long-awaited Enmore show had been postponed already.
The air was definitely sombre following the cave-in and it definitely felt like another punch in the gut to every music fan and person working in the industry, but if we know the team behind the Enmore, Genesis Owusu and the commitment of the Sydney music community, we don’t doubt that we’ll be seeing him take to the Newtown stage again sooner rather than later. Get caught up on the action (however little of it we managed to capture) via the gallery above.
