Project Description

PEKING DUK

+ Samsaruh + Kwame

@ Metro City

(Live Review)

19/5/18

Reviewer: Vicky Hebbs

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First up is support Kwame, a Sydney rapper who  impressively holds us in thrall with his fast rapping and crowd engagement. Several times he yells out, “When I say Who Dat, you say Kwame,” a reference to his track Who Dat. Signed to the same label as Peking Duk, he started in 2016 and hasn’t looked back, supporting big names like Wiley and Bliss n Eso.

The best part is when he notices a tall guy at the front who knows every lyric of recent release, WOW. He hands him the microphone and they rap the song together. Word is, this has never happened before, so its a truly unique moment ending with Kwame and his super fan earning a massive applause.

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Samsaruh comes onstage wearing the most amazing funky yellow jumpsuit and her voice is phenomenal. Heavy bass lights up new track Gunpowder and her smooth voice and quirky arm-centric dance moves add a layer of magic to songs like Beautiful Killer and Golden to Thrive.

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Performing on their own without all the bells and whistles of a band, both Kwame and Samsaruh smash the task of keeping the crowd enthralled on their charisma and solo talent alone.

The crowd is one of the most restless I’ve ever seen waiting for the headline act. Clearly, everyone is ready for the Peking Duk party. The boys, along with their singing guests, are dressed all in white.

The band starts with a bang, playing popping dance track Wasted, also the name of the tour. I think this song is grossly underrated; I don’t see how there could be anyone who wouldn’t feel compelled to groove to it.

On new track Distant Arizona all three play guitar in a line, rocking forwards and backwards in sync to the repeated line, “In the desert in California.” Cloud Control’s Al Wright, also dressed in white, performs the bridge that lingers and twangs. The song is a real departure from the rest of the electronic show, infused as it is with strong hints of rock and country.

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Seasoned DJs at this point, Peking Duk know how to craft a set with all the slow buildups and perfectly timed beat drops it takes to not bore a dance floor. They used to be simply a DJ show but they had to do one better, upping their game with the drums, string instruments and guests.

The crowd is absolutely wild at this point, but the crowd control is really good and anyone truly annoying is immediately directed straight to the back of the venue. It is impossible to resist thrashing to their set, filled with a mix of ripping current club favourites and international hits.

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Bringing down the crazy tone of the crowd, they play Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On, and then smash straight into The Way You Are.

Their rendition of White Stripes classic, Seven Nation Army is a foolproof crowd pleaser, really, but fits nicely, keeping the mood energised before they play High.

If you’re looking to party, Peking Duk are the ideal Saturday night dance rave.

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