The Streets
Dreamland, Margate
eighth September 2023

Mike Skinner made a triumphant return to Margate as The Streets performed a blistering, hit-laden, set to the 7,000-strong crowd gathered in Dreamland’s brilliantly restored heritage theme park. Below the arches of the UK’s oldest picket curler coaster, and only a stone’s throw from the fantastic sandy seashores and seafront arcades, Mike Skinner and his trusty crew lit up The Scenic Stage with heady beats and beloved bangers.

On one of many hottest days of the 12 months thus far, simply as throngs of individuals had been beginning to make their means dwelling from an ideal day on the seaside, Dreamland flung open its gates to welcome the 1000’s who’d come to see The Streets. There was a celebration environment that permeated via the entire night, even earlier than a chord was performed. Neon spades, flashing sun shades, technicolour mild sabers, cheeky cocktails and unique tobacco helped gas the fireplace and ship Planet Thanet wild.

West Yorkshire’s rising spoken phrase artist Emmeline received the get together began because the crowds started to assemble. Within the looming shadow of the Large ‘D’, beside the sweet floss stall and in view of the ever standard dodgems, Emmeline took to the stage like she was meant to be there. Wearing Adidas T’ and trainers, Emmeline strutted up and down the size of the stage as she handled her ever extra encouraging viewers to songs, outdated and new. Throughout a 30-minute set, Emmeline and her Fraser T Smith (Kano/Stormzy/Dave and many others) co-produced backing observe, engaged the cool and the curious together with her vocal dexterity and lyrical prowess. ‘Sabrina’, ‘The Dance’, ‘Dazed and Confused’, new observe ‘Wasteland’ and eventually her greatest track to this point, ‘Ladies Write Rhymes’ set the vibe for the evening.

DJ and producer Zed Bias was up subsequent with a moderately lacklustre and uninspired set that included a Drum and Bass Sade intro and a Florence and The Machine mid-point mash-up. Kojey Radical’s DJ, Eli, was nearly nudging him off stage as he arrange for an altogether extra animated and articulate act.

Quick-listed Mercury Music Prize nominee(2022), hip-hop artist and contender for “East London’s most interesting”, Kojey Radical, had “overcome adversity” to be on stage because the penultimate act forward of The Streets. “I received stung by a bee”, “I nearly broke my shoulder”, “I caught a chilly” and “I nearly misplaced my voice” Kojey defined to the spectacular crowd gathered earlier than him. Regardless of all of those elements, Luther VanKojey placed on a pumped-up and energised present that whipped the Margate huge right into a sweltering lather. From the off Kojey was leaping up and down, moonwalking throughout the stage, off the stage and into the group and even at one level instigating a sing-a-long to “oggy, oggy, oggy”. Outdated favorite ‘Water’, and model new single ‘Unhealthy For Enterprise’ constructed the momentum till the explosive finale of ‘Payback’ capped off an brisk and entertaining efficiency.

Shortly after 9:15pm, because the packed out crowd had been chanting his identify in unison, Mike Skinner, and The Streets, dressed modestly in plain black T’ and shorts, strode onto the stage like a legendary prize fighter about to enter the ring. He instantly tore into agency favorite, Flip The Web page, similtaneously up ending his two displays, one in every of which he would use as a podium, and one in every of which might grow to be an impromptu picnic desk. The “forty fifth era Roman” had arrived and the group had been headed for a brand new excessive.

The Streets set record was an impressed assortment of traditional hits and crowd-pleasing touchstones. Skinner was solely on observe three, Let’s Push Issues Ahead, earlier than he was off stage and within the faces of his adoring viewers. “I’ve to sing this track, I’m gonna be round for like a short while, after which possibly we are able to have a dialog, however I do want to do that” he quipped to an enthusiastic woman by the barrier who was making an attempt to speak to him. “The tickets weren’t low-cost you see, and if I simply stand and discuss to you..” he carried on in fake frustration!

Has It Come To This was neatly segued into I Want You Liked You As A lot As You Love Him after which once more into Mistaken Solutions Solely the place Skinner, atop his podium speaker kicked a soccer into the mesmerised crowd to symbolise Brexit, a topic he wouldn’t let go all evening.

“I would like meals” Skinner instructed the viewers. “And once I say meals, I imply meals, not medication, I’m ravenous, haven’t eaten all day”. He surveyed the numerous and different takeaways accessible across the perimeter, calling them out as he went anti-clockwise, “Wooden fired pizza, tacky chips, caviar…”. Finally, he was rewarded with a tray of chips to fulfill his cravings.

The warmth of the day had barely dissipated into the night as The Streets ramped up the power on stage and the group beneath reciprocated accordingly. Area, contemporary air, and any trace of a cooling breeze had been at a premium in the direction of the entrance of the gig as Troubled Waters gave method to the magnificence of Weak Turn into Heroes. As Skinner began to sing – “flip left up the road, nothing however concrete and useless beats” and the piano loop kicked in, it was identical to being transported again to 2002 once more to revel within the game-changing sound that the Streets had simply dropped. Too A lot Yaya and Mike (Desert Island Cover) arrange a raucous Match However You Know It to shut out the principle set in fashion.

The Streets returned shortly for a three-track encore that included the emotionally charged Dry Your Eyes, a sing-a-long to Blinded By The Lights and on the very, very finish, Take Me As I Am. 4 years since his final go to, on the day of the Brexit vote apparently, Mike Skinner and The Streets made the a lot of the alternative they got to entertain and delight. The gang, to a wo/man, had been buzzing after witnessing a really particular present, delivered with enthusiasm, power and honesty in a unbelievable and distinctive reside area.

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You will discover The Streets at their Fb and Twitter

All Phrases by Andrew Lockwood, that is his first piece of writing for Louder Than Warfare.

Photograph by Frank Leppard Pictures, supplied by Dreamland