Devlin 28/10/10

Devlin

Underworld, London, 28/10/10

At 21 years old Devlin has already released two well-received mixtapes, clashed Wiley and was the only unsigned artist to be featured on the BBC’s Sound of 2010 list alongside the likes of Marina & The Diamonds and Ellie Goulding. After making serious waves in the grime scene for nearly five years, rapper Devlin has most-deservingly been signed to a major record label and has embarked on a UK tour.

Camden Town’s Underworld Club played host for his first headline gig, complete with a live band. Ed Sheeran, a 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Framlingham, Suffolk, opened the show. Ed’s soulful, streetwise yet sweet lyrics provided a nice transition from the bass-heavy sounds of the warm-up DJ, to the hard-hitting lyrics of Devlin himself.

Hailing from Dagenham, Devlin began with London City, a song wherein which he pays homage to ‘the best city in the world’. After running through numerous tracks from his debut album Bud, Sweat & Beers including Brainwashed and Community Outcast, just over half way through, Devlin asked the audience “who watched the MOBOs?” Now I personally didn’t watch the awards ceremony, but had heard about an epic performance from Tinchy Stryder, Giggs, Professor Green & Tinie Tempah, so immediately began to speculate as to what was about to happen. Much to mine and everyone else in the audience’s enjoyment Devlin called for reinforcement in the form of Ghetts, Giggs and Tinchy Stryder to perform Game Over, a track which represents the quality and alliance between this new wave of mainstream UK talent.

The show was closed by Devlin’s latest and arguably most popular track, Runaway. Joined on stage by singer Yasmin, Devlin was almost inaudible as the audience sang along, word for word. Considering the majority of the audience was comprised of teenagers aged between 14 and 16 years old, Devlin was on top form and gave a performance that remained authentic and appealed to every member of the audience, regardless of age.

Bud, Sweat & Beers is out now.

Words: Elissa Bradley