Shortly following on from the release on his #5 Official Charting latest mixtape, ‘Thanks For Hating’, Essex native Potter Payper set out on a cross country tour. Unable to tour his last project, there was all to play for with this one.
Touching down at London’s culturally historic venue, Roundhouse Theatre, the approach to the building sees a lengthy line of eager fans single filed all the way down the road. The evening progressing to what feels like a usual show start time and many positively antsy, we are welcomed with openers from KB, Kaymuni and AB. Potter constantly unwavering in his comradery.
Next, a row of backing singers and live band set up usher to stage. An echoing entrance as Potter kicks off with the ‘Real Back In Style’ title track, a fitting intro to his headline. Quickly transitioning into back catalogue tracks like ‘Hard’, Hustlin’ and ‘Science’ – the Training Day series’ cuts going down swimmingly, supporters new and old belting back bars word for word. The latter track delivers the first look at an ongoing dynamic stage design.
Bouncing between classic and current picks, the 36TL head spurts them out. It impressively feeling like an amalgamation of his greatest hits. Non-singles and freestyles in the mix, not one offering feels as if it’ll fall short of reception. Classic rap shows often void of big production, the Filthy Free calls for timely additions from soulful singers, renditions of ‘Purpose’ and ‘Multi-faceted’ poignant. A talented cellist joins Potter on stage for ‘Quite Befitting’, the solemn single signalling dimmed lights & a softer listen.
The only guest for the evening, Tiggs da Author robustly takes on the big vocal on the pairs song ‘Gangsteritus’. It very clear to see why it was one of the standouts from P’s 2021 project. A purple graphic shifts onto the curved screen and is met with a ground-swelling eruption, most aware of what is up next. ‘Purple Rain’ an all-time fan favourite, he aptly closes out the show.
His lyrics rapped back to him for the entirety of the show, a feat seemingly shown across the Filthy Free Tour thus far. The night featured little to no downsides, issues within the crowd dealt with efficiently and him being fashionably late forgotten once all in the full swing. Potter Payper naturally donned it.
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Words: Shanté Collier-McDermott
