I have been witness to some enormous musical spectacles in the past, from The Stone Roses in the Etihad Stadium, to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ripping the stage apart at Reading to a vibrant live arena show from Lady Gaga, but with a hand on my heart I can honestly say I hadnÔÇÖt ever looked forward to anything as much as I did Goldie LookinÔÇÖ Chain in GrangetownÔÇÖs Tramshed.

IÔÇÖve always been a supporter of the underdog, and watching NewportÔÇÖs finest clarts cut awful shapes and rap about things which would make your grandparentsÔÇÖ brows furrow was perhaps the finest way I could spend a bitter-cold October evening. With a set-list boasting the most ridiculous tracks of the nine-pieceÔÇÖs sixteen-year career (including Ice Ice Dildo, and 70s Muff for those of you wondering), the room was animated with a great sense of good humour, an almost festive atmosphere and a huge feeling of rebellion against the norm where everybodyÔÇÖs inner chav came out to cause havoc. A woman who was probably older than my mother stood next to me in the crowd pulled me towards her during GLCÔÇÖs arguably most popular track ÔÇÿGuns DonÔÇÖt Kill People, Rappers DoÔÇÖ, tugged on my vintage Adidas jacket and yelled in my ear ÔÇ£you look too young to be here, but youÔÇÖre safeÔÇØ. We then proceeded to have a running-man competition and I spilt my cider all over herÔǪ

Goldie LookinÔÇÖ Chain themselves were an absolute tracksuit-wearing and bling-clad vision that I will only ever witness again in dreams. They didnÔÇÖt slip up on a single explicit lyric- like a Welsh, satirical version of N.W.A-┬á and their breakdancing was blinding (in fact, group member Mystikal took to their Facebook page later that week to let the fans know he broke his foot during the concert). The beauty of artists like this performing so close to home is how down-to-earth they are, my Dad and I managed to blag a chat and a photo with the infamous P.Xain (but probably better known as Rhys) once the merriments were over- definitely a night to remember.

 

Rachael Hutchings
@w0nderw4ll_