Lupe Fiasco Show Review: Sound Safari @ Melbourne Zoo

February 26th, 2010

Written by Abukar Ahmed

On a scorching summers evening in Melbourne, with the mercury unrelenting all day, it was definitely a blessing to have Lupe Fiasco in town to bring a cool change our way.

What was only 40 minutes earlier - a crowd scattered in all corners of the zoo with only a very handful hanging out in front of the stage jamming to the supporting acts on display - quickly turned into an incredibly congested mass of eager revellers, feverishly chanting for Lupe in unison....

The chants grew louder and louder, clearer and clearer and ever more passionate with every passing moment.

Not falling on deaf ears, (as the roar for Lupe continued to intensify), sure enough the lights dimmed soon after.

The live backing band and DJ Simon Sayz all assumed position onstage before Lupe emerged, erupting immediately into a dynamic performance of "Shining Down" to get the show underway in emphatic fashion.

With the sight of Lupe on stage, came a – not unexpected- rush forward, further exacerbating the congestion. No one seemed phased for the most part however, as the majority rapped and bounced along to the chi-town natives lead.

A few songs in and after a brief pause for effect, the band got stuck into a rendition of "Solar Midnite", throwing the crowd into hysteric raptures. Bringing the headbanger out in some, a rowdy mosh-pit formed near the very front of the stage.

With the reception the performance drew, it was explicitly apparent that those in attendance were approving of the new sound Lupe has decided to dabble with.

His entire set was interwoven with new, recent and old Lupe, moving between tracks like "The Instrumental to Go Go Gadget Flow to Beautiful Lasers, from The cool to I'm beaming; Melbourne was treated to the unrivalled versatility and very best of Mr. Jaco.

With the festival in it's inaugural year, the organizers of Sound Safari struck gold in calling on Lupe's services as their debut headliner. With lions and elephants just a stone throw away from the stage, this show was like nothing else. Serene and breathtaking in its setting and explosive in it's atmosphere thanks to it's spectacular headliner, Sound Safari is well and truly here to stay.

Lupe drew to a close by diving into the ever so mellow Paris, Tokyo before driving the set home with a energy charged performance of the always popular Daydream! He then engaged the thrilled audience in a chant, proclaiming “we are lasers, we're not losers”; a manifesto which all in attendance recited almost religiously with deafening exuberance.

After thanking the crowd for their love and continued support, it was time for Lupe to sign off, wishing …

“Peace and much love to ya”

NOTE: Do yourself a favour, and check out the 'Steppin' Laser Tour' when it hits a town even remotely close to you. You have my word, it will be a move you will be incredibly thankful and gratified you made.