The greatest thing about the dubstep scene in Wellington is that it is growing. More and more we have artists returning to smash the speakers at our local clubs. They get the earth shaking with deep sub-bass tones. Optimus Gryme was certainly no exception. This was the second time I’d seen Charlie B (A.K.A. Optimus Gryme) perform live and he certainly didn’t disappoint. Within the first two minutes of his set, Optimus got everyone on the dance floor, mashed together to form a swelling beast of dubstep suckers. From here the set didn’t change much, with huge amounts of people jammed together to rock out. Sandwiches even had to open the secondary door to allow more space, as the 300 presales sold out at least two days before the gig, and with door sales on top, people were packed in, wall to wall.
Optimus Gryme has a way of performing on stage that inspires people to groove. So involved in the music, and always moving to it himself. With a sick mix of dubstep/drum and bass, he got people excited about the music, and with Billy Fluid on the side to complement the heart-quaking bass notes, the crowd was in a constant state of euphoria. There are many terrible MCs, and so to hear one as incredible as Eric H (A.K.A. Billy Fluid) was a breath of fresh air. In my time upon the dubstep scene I have never seen someone so focused as Billy Fluid. While Optimus was on stage he didn’t leave his side, and although it was incredibly humid in Sandwiches, his mind was always active, flowing like no other.
After the gig I got to have a chat with Charlie and Eric, and the most impressive thing about them was that they were thanking everyone else for coming. They were so happy to be there, and lacked the ego that can be seen with DJs and MCs at so many other gigs.
The support from B-line and Thief (Strictly 138) was also very good, and made for an awesome night out. This is one gig you should’ve been at! Keep your eyes open for Optimus Gryme’s return to Wellington, and in the mean time, check him out on Facebook for some free downloads … Ooooh yeah.
Optimus Gryme and Billy Fluid
Making Noise Not War Tour
Sandwiches, 19 September 2009