J.Cole at Manchester Academy 20/11

In one of the rare instances I chose to venture out of my room seeing as so little R&R time is afforded to many a 3rd year, I spent yesterday evening (Sunday) in the glorious city of Manchester.

My friend and housemate Mica is due to be 23 on the 23rd November so I thought I'd be a considerate chum and surprise her with gig tickets to see one of her favourite artists J.Cole.

The rapper who hails from North Carolina across the pond put on a brilliant set to a bunch of raucous students on a cold Sunday evening. The air was crackling with anticipation and excitement as only a concert can encompass.

Brooklyn resident DJ Dummy was on the decks warming up the crowd with popular mainstream hip hop before moving on to a bit of dubstep to ‘rep the UK’.

J. Cole made an entrance simply: there were few flashing lights or tricks. Just one man and his microphone.

Performing a plethora of songs from his debut album Cole World, past mixtapes and collaborations. He opened with Looking for Trouble and title track Cole World.

Slowing the pace for a more formal and humble introduction over keyboard accompaniment, he continued with a bouncy cover of collaboration with[out] R&B singer Miguel, All I Want is You, with the entire crowd rapping every word.

After Higher, he slowed the pace right down moving the set to a more intimate level sitting on a stool at the front of the stage for the slower Daddy’s Little Girl.

The tracks continued to come thick and fast, including Lost Ones and Rise and Shine, generally performing one verse and the chorus for a mix of songs from the new album and his previous two mixtapes.

Upping the tempo once again for Mr Nice Watch and Work Out, his energy was matched every step of the way by the crowd who continued to recite lyrics with sheer ease and dedication along with him.

After asking the audience who had bought his album, the inevitable deafening response prompted him to sing a cover of the chorus of 2Pac’s Hail Mary.

This clip of his entrance (which I do not own, btw) demonstrates the wild reception the humble artist received from the crowd.

Disclaimer: This video features swear words...a lot of them.



He seamlessly switched between songs knowing exactly how to interact and work with the crowd keeping them engaged. He gave the audience his all spitting lyrics with pure passion. After seeing him back in January supporting Drake in Birmingham I felt it wouldn't be long before the stage was his, as he still is the best opening act I've ever seen.

We stayed at Premier Inn in Deansgate Locks where the beds were ridiculously gigantic, about twice the size of our doubles at home. It was the best sleep I'd experienced in a long time, bar a weird spluttering coughing fit which came from nowhere waking up Mica.

Can any of you cite your best gig or performer you've seen live?