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Best of Live Vibe 2009

Words: Nicky Short

Images: Leonie Richardson

Best of Live Vibe 2009: Flo'Ography

I sidled into the venue, late even by hip hop standards, but I needn’t have worried about disturbing anything; Hakeem ‘Mr Impact’ Onibudo, was in the middle of warming up the audience who were on their feet cheering for some volunteers (including someone’s dad) shaking their stuff on stage.

Due to The Mermaid Theatre’s considerable lack of parking and its red route city location (as well as my own disorganisation), I had missed Sheikh It, who had opened the show and were by now sitting in the performer’s section of the audience. Nevertheless, I wasn’t disappointed with the rest of the evening’s offerings.

Live Vibe events have been running all year out of the Lilian Baylis Theatre at Sadler’s Wells. Saturday night was a showcase of some of its best contributions from emerging performers; dancers, singers and emcees, all live, all mixed up in a funky cocktail of talent, atmosphere and wacky audience participation, steered along with energy and charm by Hakeem and Annaliese Dayes (Britain’s Next Top Model).

First up was Dionne Reid, whose husky vocals over reggae beats had heads bopping and hands brapping along to her dedication to her dad.

The Trixterz fooled me at first into thinking they lacked variety until, all of a sudden, the rap heavy soundtrack switched up and the slick trio showed the hungry crowd the tricks hidden up their sleeves including locking, popping and krumping.

JP, the emcee, brought some positivity to the night, looking as at home freestyling on a chair in the spotlight as he did running round the stage and the stalls like a blue, flat-capped fly. I wondered if his energy may have been a little too much for the sound system, as his plea to put the guns down rattled my skull a bit.

Best of Live Vibe 2009: Woolwich Krumpers

The Woolwich Krumpers’ name suggests they are one-trick ponies, a myth they quickly squashed with a surprisingly theatrical piece choreographed by Duwane ‘Sparxx’ Taylor. The routine included popping and waving, mixed with raw, grimy energy, as well as real control and sensitivity, set to an unconventional sweeping orchestral soundtrack. They are an example of the great work Impact Dance is doing in the community with promoting dance in schools.

MOBO award winning J’Nay came dressed as Justin Timberlake and blew the roof off with his chocolatey voice. For a skinny dude, he completely filled the house with soul force and an impressive, commanding stage presence.

Zoonation Youth closed the first half with a contemporary vibe. Their piece entitled Details in the Fabric, placed a lot of emphasis on tricks which these kids have in abundance. Their prolific skills, interesting set and stage lighting were used to create a great effect and received a well deserved standing ovation.

Best of Live Vibe 2009: Fully Functional Individuals Impact Dance’s own Fully Functioning Individuals (FFI), opened the second half with power - another piece with a message. They used chairs to create an additional level for the choreography and to focus clearly on the individual skills of the solo performers.

FFI wrapped up their set with an unconventional music choice for a street dance group, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush’s powerful ballad, Don’t Give Up.

Although wearing an almost comically over-sized, Lady Gaga style bow, Hayley C gave a mind blowing performance, with vocals sounding like, one can only describe, of the love child of Erykah Badu and Lil Mo, on her superb original track, Far Away.

Red, “the one and only artist who fuses Riverdance with Snoop Dogg,” not only did his own intro, but also performed a little Live Vibe beatbox theme tune to open a mini set of pure entertainment. Using only the sounds he could produce with his mouth and a microphone, he brought a mesmerised audience to its feet.

Duwane Sparxx Taylor, with his seemingly detachable neck, is set to understudy Kenrick “H2O” Sandy in his lead role in the next stint of Pied Piper. Standing with his socks in the spotlight, his solo was a blend of technical hip hop and fluid contemporary.

Interestingly, in a show where the dance offerings leaned more towards the theatrical, new style and contemporary, Olivier award winning Boy Blue were one of the few groups who brought a straight forward routine set. It was everything we have come to expect from Kenrick and the boys; skill, power, tricks, choreography and, a krump circle encore that ends up on the laps of the front row.

Best of Live Vibe 2009: Boy Blue

Live Vibe supporter and regular, Jacqui Bennett, sang Sweet Thing and a poignant rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Heaven Help us All, backed up by two super cool guitarists.

Flo’Ography rounded off the show nicely with a beautiful piece based around indie vocalist Adele’s, Hometown Glory, picking up the pace towards the end with some killer house and super slick choreography which had the audience out of their seats.

Live Live Awards

The awards as voted for by the public in the lead up to Best of Live Vibe, are intended to encourage and build up fan clubs and support for the talent coming through the events.

Hayley C swiped best vocals, Trixterz took the best dance crown and JP was awarded best MC.

The Supporting Partnership award was presented to Alessio Romani of Sadler’s Wells, who made it clear that the partnership should continue... Watch this space for Live Vibe 2010, as it’s sure to bring its unique brand of entertainment, silliness, quality and...vibe!

Live Vibe 2010: Call for talent

Live Vibe are now looking for new talent for Live Vibe 2010, profiling British talent in a professional performing environment. If you are interested please e-mail itslivevibe@aol.com

Related section:

Live Vibe