Having performed at a few European capitals, Major Lazer arrived in Brum for their first out of four UK gigs. I’ve followed Diplo on snapchat for about a year now, and every morning I wake up to his 90 second story of his gig from the night before and I’ve always dreamt of being at one. From his stories, Major Lazer gigs seemed to be packed with filthy drops, excessive twerking and topless girls – and this was exactly what I saw on Wednesday night at the 02.
After missing them at Wireless festival earlier this year, I strolled into the 02 with the fattest smile on my face. Ordered two double vodka cokes – 14 pounds altogether by the way (note to self: pre-drink harder before going to a gig at the 02). However, they were so strong so I was well buzzed for Elliphant [6/10] the supporting act. Her style of trap music got the crowd on such a high – or maybe that was the Brum roadmen lighting one up next to me.
By this time of the night, around 9.30. Major Lazer [9/10] were expected to hit the stage. It was also at this time where those two double vodka cokes kicked in, All I can remember is that Diplo, Walshy Fire and Jillionaire angelically swayed on to the stage as if they were the Royal family. They transformed the 02 into a supercharged EDM rave filled with confetti canons on every other drop and impressive neon animations. One of the best moments of the night was when Diplo ‘zorbed’ on top of the crowd in a massive see-through ball and I was literally one metre away from my idol.
Later on, I sobered up and really got to appreciate Major Lazer’s unique sound of music. Their tracks like ‘Bumbaye’ and ‘Jah No Partial’ really released everyone’s inner African. For the legendary song ‘Jah No Partial’, everyone took their tops off, including the 3 on stage, and whirled them in the air when the beat dropped. By the end of the song I was surrounded by dozens of sweaty topless girls. Decent. Diplo then took to the decks and played one of my favourite ever songs ‘Where Are Ü Now’. This song gives me the chills and seeing it live was something else. I even got a tattoo of the ‘Ü’ on my left ankle (drunk night out in Budapest). In their London gig, they brought out Craig David to perform ‘Fill Me In’ over the song which is now being played in every RnB room on Broad Street these days. Extremely jealous.
In the closing minutes, Walshy Fire and Jillionaire stood on the DJ booth table, with their arms behind their backs in total silence totally baffling the sweaty crowd. Then suddenly Diplo faded in the song that everyone was waiting for. ‘Lean On’ echoed around the 02 and everyone bellowed out ‘Blow a kiss, fire a gun….’ to total darkness. The night was everything I expected from a Major Lazer gig and more. They completely smashed it and it was the kind of show that even if you have never listened to a Major Lazer song, you still would’ve loved every minute.
