Rudimental @ The Enmore Theatre, Sydney 10.12.15 / Photo: Ashley Mar

Rudimental – Enmore Theatre, Sydney 10/12/15

December 11, 2015

“Welcome to Rudimental.”

A sweaty and absolutely packed-out Enmore Theatre erupted as the final show of Rudimental’s almost month-long Aussie hang out began. The crowd — a combination of some youthful and more mature punters — eagerly awaited the UK drum and bass giants to storm the stage, and they were a hurricane.

Immediately busting out System from their latest album We The Generation, Rudimental let their fans know this would be a non-stop, high energy set. The room became flooded by shuttering strobes and lasers while the band jumped out from every direction, keeping the audience wrapped around their fingers.

The crowd’s reaction was heard loud and clear by the Brits, even prompting multi-instrumentalist and hype man DJ Locksmith to say, “Whatever happens now ’till the end, this is our best show. Hands down.”

The crowd knew every word to every song, and wasn’t afraid to sing along. As Free began to start, Locksmith suggested the audience get on each other’s shoulders, so if you were an unlucky punter without a mate, you soon had four to five butts in your face.

Along with their hits We The Generation and Not Giving In, the quartet (joined by six other touring members) were able to sneak in a cover of Damien Marley’s Welcome To Jamrock before cranking out into a fierce drum and bass jam, resulting in a dance off between the whole stage crew.

The most interesting part of Rudimental’s show was how the backing vocalists, horn section and drummer were as much a part of the band as the core members. Each vocalist would replace the guest singer on every track, and would reign carnage and energy upon the stage, especially departing member Anne-Marie (who is a name to look out for in the near future). No member was stuck in one position for more than ten seconds, and the crowd felt they were part of the action.

The set later saw Rudimental perform Feel The Love, as well as their well-deserved encore, Waiting All Night. A look for gratitude and relief grew on the band’s faces as their Australian tour finished, while Locksmith rounded off the night perfectly with, “Sydney, we fucking love you and we’ll see you next year in May.”

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Gallery: Rudimental – Enmore Theatre, Sydney 10.12.15 / Photos: Ashley Mar