In the space of 18 months, east London singer-rapper Not3s has captured the imagination of the UK’s bubbling black music scene with his catchy brand of African pop-tinged tracks. At the beginning of his sold-out show, his dressed-down teen and young adult fans are transfixed by visuals portraying him being late to his own show, before he confidently emerges from the rafters. On his 20th birthday, the atmosphere is celebratory, and he is backed by a four-piece band that prove the night’s saving grace. They allow him to reach new musical depths, and his crystal-clear vocals – sharpened further when he delivers his song’s deft hooks – complete the package. Crooning through his set at a frantic pace, Not3s remains aloof throughout as an excited crowd clutching cameraphones churn below him.
However, rarely does the show shift into second gear, even with cameos by fellow MCs Tinie Tempah, Shakka, Fredo and others. Despite a playful demeanour and nice-guy shtick, Not3s’ restrained crowd interaction and the plodding birthday acknowledgments (gifts of a high-end watch from Tempah and platinum plaques from label bosses) in the show’s second act slow down proceedings a tad. It’s the arrival of masked rapper SL, performing his own hit Tropical among others, that gets the night’s biggest reaction. Not3s initially drives through deeper cuts from 2017 EP Take Not3s and they keep the crowd’s attention, but the lack of rip-roaring moments means he continues to move at a pedestrian pace.
The show reaches a crescendo with his most recognisable hits: Addison Lee, My Lover and final song Aladdin, as well as exclusives from his forthcoming mixtape Take Not3s 2. Gaining newfound energy thanks to the addition of backup singers, Not3s bounces up and down the stage with purpose, finally coming close to matching the crowd’s enthusiasm in the midst of balloons and confetti. It’s this kind of energy that was needed from the start. Luckily, the band’s synergy, and the closing upsurge of rowdy riffs, piano thumps and hard drums, turn an average set into a perfectly serviceable one by the end.
- At St Luke’s, Glasgow, on 18 April. Box office: 0141-552 8378.
- This article was amended on 20 April 2018 to remove a brand reference for which confirmation was not available.
