PERRY MAYSUN @ COLOURS HOXTON

Words & Imagery by Maya Hollick

Immediately upon entering the venue, fans were queuing for the chance to buy merch and have the chance to meet Perry himself. This dedicated fan base were all adorned in spectacular attire. Multiple had painted themselves entirely in colour, a nod to Perry’s distinctive body paint he frequently wears in music videos and his soon to be released film. One young girl was chattering away to her dad, 100 words a minute, tears brimming and jeweling her lashes. In her hands she clutched a signed vinyl, repeatedly thrusting it back into her line of sight as though to make sure this moment was indeed real. The entire experience was touching.

First to take to the stage was Ahksair. Slowly swaggering across the stage, sniggering into the close handheld mic by his lips. He seemed somewhat shy, humbled but overwhelmingly grateful and joyous. The crowd spurred him onwards, participating wherever possible and amusing the artist with their support of his newly learnt phrase “ozzy ozzy ozzy, oi oi oi” which he repeated numerous times throughout the set. For the biggest show of his career so far, Ahksair fed the audience lucid raps layered on uniquely and beautiful produced tracks by Zion Cat. His smooth performance landed him a new fan base, greatly received and ready to support this new emerging artist.

He was then followed by Jessy Blakemore. A stunning RnB esque powerhouse. A voice soft and sweet, gliding through riffs with ease and instantly enchanting the audience. Her music seemed reminiscent of icons such as Alicia Keys and Lauren Hill. Embroidering playful strength in the lyrics sung by her soft voice. Wonderfully oxymoronic in performance. Her set was intertwined with enthused political chants erupting from the crowd, triggered by her Palestine T-shirt, to which she responded with joy and gratitude. Her set was full of relatable, feminine tunes. “Burna phone” in particular encouraged the audience to sing along with her. A whole room of love, singing her lyrics with her. Her performance was relaxed, gentle and welcoming. As though you were in a room with your big sister. Each of the lyrics she sang washed over the audience, pulling you to sway along and smile.

Next to take to the stage and stir up the mellowed crowd was Isaiah Poet. Cheeky, striking, bold and confident. Isaiah immediately built back energy that had previously seeped away by the dulcet tones before him. With the school boy confidence and style of Tyler The Creator, Isaiah immediately dominated the stage, demonstrating his impeccable flow and crowd rearing abilities. He commanded the room. And sound tech. Literally. Lyrical mastery in almost percussive expression as he possessed the stage. Isaiah truly performed like a seasoned pro, comfortable, confident and captivating.

The room erupted into chants, a truly British welcome for the American artist. Booming and restless, the crowd attempted to summon their leader. Suddenly, the lights went out and a voice boomed through the speakers. Zion Kat walks onto stage to take to position. A bizarre rabbit mask concealing his face, left hand held in a blue glove, and a cane mimicking Perry. Then, Maysun himself, walks onto stage. A green bug like mask over his face and a harsh white spotlight slicing through the dark stage. This was the theatre expected from the through and through artist.

Opening the night with “Joel”, Perry’s lyrics were screamed back to him. His performance was drenched in emotion. Drowning. His only opportunity to breathe seemed to be exploding his lyrics into existence. So beautiful and impassioned, each vibration felt as though it carried a piece of Maysun with it, the crowd thrown into frenzy. Dedicated to adoring their chosen artist / activist. Maysun powered through with intermittent touching intervals to speak to his “family, not fans”. Thanking all involved in his creative process, acknowledging lost lives who would have been at the show and even his girlfriend waiting for him back home.

Promoting community and artistry in all he does, Maysun has cemented himself as a role model to masses of young people feeling lost and alone. Around half way through his set, Maysun took to the crowd itself. Immersing himself with his supporters and continuing to flood the room with his music whilst bouncing alongside mesmerised and emotional “family members”. Singing all of the fan favourites, Maysun had a positively astounding set, no question about it. Perry gave more than just a showcase. He gave theatre, activism, community and raw emotion.