As he's introduced to the stage, people start to finally walk forward towards it. Meany then introduces himself as a white rapper, rhyming in a cappella about being a white hip-hop artist. I find this strange because, with a crowd that's 95% white attending an Action Bronson show, I really do not care about the artist being white. The support act then starts with the audience participation attempts, but the problem is he hasn't yet won them over. It becomes even more awkward as he jumps down to the floor and performs within the crowd. I respect his passion but the problem is he raps facing the stage when he should be looking towards his audience! He does have some decent tunes and lyrically he's definitely talented, however like all budding rappers he hasn't quite mastered the breathing techniques of the best hip-hop acts so despite having a hype man he still seems winded throughout the show. This man wasn't really a great performer but his enthusiasm and boldness is to be appreciated alongside his prowess as a rapper, and it's rare that I'll catch good vibes from the UK hip-hop scene.
In time, he takes to the side of the stage while Action Bronson prepares to finally make an appearance. As soon as Bronson is up, he claims to be disgusted at the low level of hype in the atmosphere and walks right off stage. When the noise is right, he comes back on. He takes a hit of hash oil from his discreet but effective G-Pen and goes straight into 'Steve Wynn' from the acclaimed Blue Chips mixtape collaboration with Party Supplies. Several minutes after that are spent receiving gifts of marijuana from the fans and refusing any gifts of alcohol. Weed is known to amplify the performances of many hip-hop artists although I still have no idea how he could put on such a show so blunted.
Mid-song, a fan begins to call out Bronson with his hands raised, shouting out questions. Bronson has no option but to continue rapping the song while looking confused at the fan with his arms also raised helplessly. After the tune ends, he actually gives the microphone to the fan for about a minute, with the fan attempting to explain his predicament. Thing is, he has a really, really strong Scouse accent and no-one, let alone Action Bronson, knows what the guy is saying. I think he might have been peeved his spliff got passed around the audience, maybe. Soon enough, Bronson takes the mic back and the show goes on.
Action Bronson comes down into the audience and shows Meany how it's done. He has that cadence, casualness and jovial attitude that compliments his lyrics that range from special culinary recipes to the life of a player from Queens, NYC. Fan favourites such as 'Bird on a Wire' are delivered as he strolls around the venue with a crowded circle around him, and in the midst of several songs we heard, "Just gimme a Coke or somethin'" - he's wandered all the way to the bar at the back.
Bronson does return to perform on the stage eventually, and we're fortunate to experience 'Hookers at the Point'. This proves to be a highlight for me as I find it thoroughly hilarious how our crowd of a couple hundred chant, "That's what she gets for being a whore though!" The performance draws to a close, though of course he comes back for an encore exhibition of his latest single, 'The Symbol'.
All in all I thought it was a fun experience. I just enjoyed how willing Bronson was to go along with the flow, and essentially do what he wants. He already has a charismatic personality and a flow that I could listen to all day every day, but it was cool seeing the traits in reality at the gig. The man is an unconventional rapper and I think doing his own thing is one of his greatest attributes, so if he keeps doing what he's doing I'll be at the next show too.
Photo by me
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