May 30th 2018, was the day I went to my first concert. And to say the least, I was excited. Who did I go to see? G-Eazy. The Bay Area rapper came to the UK for the end of his “The Beautiful and Damned” tour, showcasing not only his new album but the classics, as well as the multi-platinum selling “Me, Myself and I” (absolute banger, if I do say so). He came to Manchester, playing at the renowned Victoria Warehouse, and he pretty much filled the entire room. Luckily for me, I managed to secure a space about 3 rows from the front, which was probably the only perk of not being able to get to the bar when we got in.
Rather than me rambling on with pointless sentences, we’ll hit this review with a structure. I’ll walk you through how the event was handled, and what happened before and after G-Eazy claimed the stage for 2 hours of pure intense energy.
First off, if you’re looking to get to the Victoria Warehouse, it is extremely accessible. You can get a bus to the Old Trafford stadium and walk around 5 minutes to the venue. I’d suggest getting a tram to Old Trafford if you’re coming from the centre, and walking the short distance to the venue. You are able to walk from the tram stops at Salford Quays but it’s a much longer walk and a lot longer than getting a tram to Old Trafford. My mate and I then got to the venue, there was a queue from the ticket checkers (not the right name, but we’ll go with it) all the way around the building towards the main road. It was unexpected and around a half an hour wait until we got into the building, the staff were efficient and friendly, even the intimidating security who are posted around were happy enough to help out anyone in need, and simply told people with alcohol, just to discard it or find a bin to put it in. Which then led to bottle upon bottle of cheap alcohol and bourbon, from the people trying to imitate the slight drinking habits of the star of the show. Once, we entered the venue through the massive industrial entrance- which was amazing. You are greeted by rustic tables, reaching a fair height, no seats were to be seen, everything here was made for standing.
We made our way towards the stage, after about 30 seconds of feeling like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction. It was quiet as most of the crowd were at the bar, pumping themselves with alcohol and in the toilets pumping themselves with other substances. There was background music, and a DJ on the stage, waiting for the masses to arrive. This is how, in my first concert, I got one of the best seats in the house, without pushing through people. We’ll call it a moral victory for myself. Skipping onwards around 20 minutes, the room started to fill up, the DJ began to fill the room with his ecstatic American energy, playing songs from the typical charts as well as some modern hip-hop golden songs, which were known to everyone in the room but would be lesser known to your typical top 40 chart listener. Then, God’s Plan came on, and the crowd woke up, in unison, everyone chanted the famous line “I only love my bed, and my momma I’m sorry.” It was at this point, I felt real chills, those sort of chills that people always go on about when they listen to their new favourite song. I hadn’t felt that until that specific moment. The DJ carried on playing songs, usually hinting at his next song with what he was saying, it was foreshadowing being brought to a whole new level. For a literature lover, it was fantastic.
The DJ played his set until around 8:00, we were then greeted by the supporting act Yung Pinch, by far the lowest point of the evening. Unfortunately, when the tickets were released for the European leg of the G-Eazy tour, it had been announced that UK shows would also feature Stef Lon Don, which I was pretty hyped for. However, I must have missed the news that she wouldn’t attend the shows, assuming she only played the London shows. As we were left with Yung Pinch. In all fairness, he tried his hardest to get the crowd involved, and he managed to get the attention of a few of his fans. But his music is that typical hip-hop music that appears to be spreading across America like a plague. Always rapping about sex, drugs and their guns whilst looking like Jesus or a cartoon character. For me, it isn’t a good mixture. And I just really didn’t enjoy his set, using my friend’s words he was “hot trash”. But, I tip my imaginary hat at the fact he tried to get the crowd involved and he showed love towards his fans in the audience.
After that supporting act ended, and the cramp from standing in one position too long started to wear off, they started re-arranging the stage. By 9:00 we were then introduced to G-Eazy, he came on stage, greeted by the screams of everyone and he was accompanied by the haunting start to his title song “The Beautiful and Damned”. He took to the stage, and as you looked across the crowd, all you saw was the phones from everyone trying to capture this magical moment. It was a strange spectacle, but a spectacle never-the-less. As the song drew, to a close, I noticed that behind him was a screen representing that this was Act 1, a small detail but it was a nice detail to know we were still at the beginning of what would be the best night I’ve ever had- sober. After his title song ended, he spoke for a little, which he half whispered at the start (ASMR type of creepy). But he strayed away from that and started to talk at a normal volume, about how Manchester has a reputation for being “the craziest fucking city in the world” using his words, which was met in response by screams of an agreement. After all, I did see someone trying to fight a parked car once, so surely that makes Manchester crazy enough?
Moving swiftly into the second Act (and for a short amount of time, as this is less review more of an opinion piece now). Surprisingly, he took a step away from “The Beautiful and Damned” album and gave us a taster of his old songs. Starting with a song from his older album, These Things Happen. Which song did he start with? I Mean It. The song fueled with nothing but swearing and sexual references, reignited the flame within everyone, not that the flame had burned out anyways. Act 2 also brought us beauties like Random, Buddha and Same Bitches (his newest collaboration with Post Malone). It also brought us an entire arena of Mancunians chanting “Eazy” whenever he took a break in between songs. Creating this fierce ego fueling energy for the rapper. Act 3, was more of an emotional one, knowing that the night was coming to the end, G-Eazy used this final act to express how this concert could potentially be the craziest concert he’s ever done, and he began by giving us one of the songs I have always wanted to see live: Me, Myself and I. This is the song which introduced me to him as a rapper, way back in 2015. After 3 long years, seeing this song live gave me all kinds of emotions. Drawing to a close, G-Eazy played two of his most well-known songs off his new album, Him and I, then ending with No Limit. Notably, the third act was the most explosive, all kinds of smoke effects were happening. He made a moshpit and then threw a signed jersey into the crowd. No doubt a couple of people left with black eyes after that.
After 2 hours, the night drew to a close, he left the stage whilst the last chants of “Eazy” came through the crowd. I left with my mate, and we walked out back into the open air, slightly more deaf than when I walked in. And I couldn’t believe it was all over, it had also just sunk in that I’d see my favourite artist live. It was one of the best nights I had ever had, and surprisingly without a single substance. It was all of that 100% natural fun that we all used to have as children. My issues with the show? Well, the supporting act was an issue I highlighted previously, but apart from that, I didn’t get to see my favourite song off the new album live. Which was slightly disappointing but it is also slightly selfish for me to call that an actual issue. Not to mention, unprofessional and biased. But, we’re all a bit selfish, so cut me some slack?
