PHOTO CREDIT: HANNAH JENNINGS

Listen Out, is notoriously known for its intense rave crowds and vibrant moshes- so when I found out I got a media pass for it- I was pumped to experience what it would be like.

The line-up was so versatile, show casing both local and international music- mostly consisting of artists that lean into the rap and electronic genres. This is not normally my style, but after experiencing this live, safe to say I am addicted.

The overall vibe of the festival was very rave like – crowds rushed into the entrance gates, buzzing with energy – visor goggles on and rave sticks in hand. I went straight for the prophet stage just in time to see Soju Gang and I have never felt more hyped. Based in Naarm – her musical style feels rooted in the hip-hop genre to accentuate the hardcore
electronic overtones. I was doing some hardcore frat boy hand flicks as the beat dropped, put my sunnies on and just vibed with crowd- and what a feeling that is.

Then AK Sports came on stage and my life was officially altered. Her blending of hard techno rave music and psychedelic trance literally made me ascend into the heavens. The fast- paced rhythm and the hardcore intensity of her set put me into a euphoric trance as the crowd squealed “YEA” with excitement. I was headbanging the entire time, particularly when she played ‘Ride or Die’. Who knew techno could make you feel this good.

As her merch says AK SPORTS FUCKS!! HARD!! One of my favourite sets of the festival for sure.

The sun was out, I got a vodka red bull to re-energise and then headed to the 909 stage to catch Blessed Madonna.
Her music felt more club influenced, with a more chill vibe, which was a good break for my ears after the intensity of AK. She combines disco and electro to create an entrancing and feel-good listening experience. It felt really healing listening to her, it was beautiful being amongst the crowd as we all danced with each other. Folamour had a similar wholesome vibe – I got right at the front and made besties with strangers as we danced together hand in hand. His combination of House, funk and disco made me sway side to side in a kind of present and peaceful haze – the trippy and psychedelic visuals really enhanced this.

I had a mini break and some dinner from the food stalls, before trying to get a good spot to see Skepta on the Atari Stage. I ended up in the back part of the crowd because of how packed it was, people were eager to get to the front. But then Skepta came out with his British swagger and the crowd roared. He opened with ‘that’s not me’ and I have never felt so empowered. Something about Skepta approach to British grime as well as screaming “ACT LIKE A WASTE MAN THAT’S NOT ME” makes you feel like you are on top of the world. ‘Shutdown’ was also a banger- it made me feel very connected with my British heritage as I roared ‘that’s not me and its shutdown’ in a British accent. I headed back to 909 to see John Summit and had yet another spiritual experience. I got there just in time to see his rendition of “Sweet Disposition” and screamed “A MOMENT A LAUGH A KISS A CRY” with the rest of the crowd and felt an overwhelming urge to hug everyone as I was reminded how special live music is. Then his rendition of ‘Satisfaction’ came on and I felt like I was in some crazy trip – the lights and visuals beamed sporadically from the stage.

Before the long awaited 21 Savage, a transition DJ came on to hype the crowd up, playing all the rap classics from artists like XXX Tenacion, Drake and Travis Scott. My favourite, though, was when ‘Fein’ by Travis Scott came on, and the crowd formed a big circle and screamed ‘FEIN, FEIN, FIEN, FIEN’ to each other. I was laughing that whole time. Then 21 Savage made his grand entrance and sang BANK ACCOUNT and safe to say the crowd went bonkers. I put my sunnies on and bandana and fully immersed myself in 21’s hip-hop swagger for the rest of the set. My highlight though, was when he played ‘redrum’ right at the end, the crowd roaring as the beat dropped screaming ‘WANT IT ALL I WON’T LEAVE A BREADCRUMB’.

I left the Caribbean gardens with my mates buzzing with elation. I will definitely be coming back next year.
It reminded me that there is such beauty in the rap and electronic community, and I am so lucky to have become apart of it.

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