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LIL PUMP
+ Stt Laurentt
@ District 14,
Narre Warren, Vic,
26th April 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Tristan Skell

Photos by Drew Hill (@drewhillphotos)

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LIL PUMP / Photo – @drewhillphotos

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Following his April 19th performance in Brisbane, American rapper Lil Pump brought his dubbed “World Tour” down to Narre Warren’s own District 14 in the southeast suburbs of Melbourne. District 14 was packed from the moment the doors opened, the crowd’s energy a simmer, waiting to boil over. Local DJs warmed up the crowd with a set heavy on popular trap and hip-hop tracks. However, the true heat started to rise when Melbourne’s own Stt Laurentt took the stage, readying the audience for the arrival of Lil Pump.

Before Laurentt took the stage, his MC, “Zarriiaa” wasn’t about to let the energy drop. He worked the crowd, pushing for a roar of voices in chant and response until he could see the patrons giving 110% of their energy. As soon as the rooms atmosphere was at its peak, the Melbourne rapper burst onto the stage, not wasting a second getting into his set. You couldn’t fake the kind of energy Laurentt brought to the stage. He threw himself into his performance, and his connection with his mates in the crowd added a layer of hometown authenticity. Mid-song, he’d take a moment to dap them up, showing that for him, it wasn’t just about the music.

The introduction of fellow rapper Zuh early in the set significantly heightened the performance’s intensity. Laurentt repeatedly engaged the audience directly, by either standing on the barricade, or by crowd surfing, demonstrating a desire for a more visceral connection with the crowd.

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Stt Laurentt / Photo – @drewhillphotos

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For his closing number, Stt Laurentt upped the ante, urging the crowd to form a mosh pit and thrashing energy into the centre of the venue. The final song ignited a state of jumping and moshing. Before leaving the stage, Laurentt and his onstage companion playfully hyped the crowd one last time, soliciting a roaring chant of “Esskeetit” – a nod to the headliner, Lil Pump, and a fittingly energetic conclusion to the set.

The room defied all logic, somehow expanding to accommodate even more fans. The anticipation for Lil Pump was a force of its own, seemingly bending the laws of space and time. Following a half-hour DJ set that kept the energy high, multi-platinum producer and DJ BigHead took the stage to prepare Lil Pump’s arrival. With no unnecessary delay, the lights plunged the venue into a dark, brooding red. After a slow build-up of anticipation, Lil Pump emerged from the shadows, launching straight into his 2018 hit “I Shyne,” electrifying the already-pumped crowd. The crowd maintained a fever pitch throughout Lil Pump’s set as he delivered hit after hit. He kept the momentum high with his viral sensation “Esskeetit” and the anthemic “D Rose,” a standout track from his 2017 self-titled debut album.

Pump delivered a heartfelt tribute to the late XXXTentacion (Jahseh Onfroy) during his performance. In a moving display of respect, he initiated the crowd to cross their arms in an X, mirroring XXXTentacion’s signature pose. The energy lifted as BigHead cued up “Take A Step Back,” a collaborative track between XXXTentacion and Ski Mask The Slump God. The entire venue erupted, all of which are chanting the lyrics “fucked up” on repeat, their voices echoing in time with the pulsating beat, and movements that shook the very foundation of the building.

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LIL PUMP / Photo – @drewhillphotos

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After the touching tribute, a profound shift heaved through the crowd; they sensed the energy was about to surge once more. Lil Pump took a few steps forward, building excitement with a simple call and response. “When I say Gucci, you say gang” he began slowly. A rhythmic chant filled the air: Lil Pump’s “Gucci!” followed by the crowd’s booming “Gang!”. The call and response grew louder, faster, feeding off the infectious energy. The anticipation reached its peak, and the unmistakable intro to “Gucci Gang” exploded from the speakers, unleashing a wave of frenzy. The viral hit, a highlight of his debut album, ignited the crowd like never before.

Fuelling off the crowd’s fever, Lil Pump craved a deeper connection. With the opening chords of “Boss” rumbling through the speakers, he surged forward, leaping onto the barricade. The audience became his foundation, their hands holding him upward as the bass-heavy track pulsed and voices roared the lyrics in unison. Back onstage, Pump wouldn’t rest – he circled to the other side of the barricade, showering those fans with attention. He dapped up diehards, even grabbing phones for quick selfie videos, a brief moment turned into a forever keepsake.

Now it wouldn’t be a true Aussie show without one of Australia’s staples, The Shoey. Chants of “shoey, shoey, shoey!” erupted after “Boss” faded, and Lil Pump, met with a roar of approval, promised the ritual would soon commence. The anticipation simmered until, after the beat of “I Love It” subsided, BigHead hit pause. Lil Pump, with a flourish, seized a shoe and toasted Australia in the time-honoured tradition – downing what looked like champagne from his own footwear.

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LIL PUMP / Photo – @drewhillphotos

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As the night drew to a close, Lil Pump teased the crowd with room for one final banger. Before he could drop it, a chant erupted – “pump rock shit!” – a clear demand for “Pump Rock x Heavy Metal” from his latest album, “Lil Pump 2”. BossHead, ever the hype man, promised to deliver. After finding the mix, “Pump Rock” kicked off without delay. This track, a heavier outlier in Lil Pump’s catalogue, pulsed with live instrumentation over synthesised beats, giving it a raw feeling.

Pump had also spotted a fan at the barricade, rapping along with ease. Without missing a beat, Pump made his way to the barricade, mic in hand, giving the fan his moment. The fan seized the mic and delivered a flawless verse, earning himself a well-earned dap from Pump. Shortly after, Pump made his way back to the stage to deliver the rest of the song, bringing the show to a close.

As the final notes of “Pump Rock” faded, the club roared and cheered. Lil Pump, with the mic still in hand delivered one final line: “I got one more thing to say, ESSKEETIT!” The crowd roared in response. With that, Lil Pump vanished from the stage. The after-show lights beckoned for those who craved more, but for many, Lil Pump’s high-octane set was the perfect end to a night of viral tracks.

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LIL PUMP / Photo – @drewhillphotos

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Check out Drew Hill’s (@drewhillphotos) full gallery of this event HERE

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LIL PUMP / Photo – @drewhillphotos

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LIL PUMP / Photo – @drewhillphotos

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AMNPLIFY – DB