Sunday, caught The Pharcyde at Yonge-and-Dundas square. The square was oversaturated with some thirsty alt hip hop fans. Long wait from the end of the Digable Planets set (40+ mins). IKvsDK got a decent spot and around half-nine the action started with a brief introduction from J-Swift.
The set kicked off with Otha Fish and Ya Mama and the crowd got into it in their own way. The sightlines where mediocre but I could make out Imani, Bootie Brown and Slim Kid Tre and the highlight of the show - a live drummer rocking a black shirt and tie and holding down the rhythm like a badass.
I'll confess my ignorance of this capable outfit. My feel for alt hip hop, particularly west coast, is weak. But The Pharcyde has some big figures pulling for them including Kanye who cites Bizarre Ride II as one of his biggest influences.
Crowd response was decent but could have been stronger and it wasn't for lack of effort by The Pharcyde. These guys were great at coverage, playing off each other and the fans (and young ladies) down in front. Also exhibited some dance moves, which was how they started out, way back in the early-90s "In Living Colour" days.
Next few tracks cranked out but still there was something missing. Couldn't put my finger on it until later. Fortunately the sound was good and the audience were treated to some great jazzy beats backing on a subdued summertime laid-back west coast flow. Got to say nothing out of New York ever sounds so laid-back. The bud was in the air with a few in the crowd exhaling clouds of grey-green smoke. The perfect context for Pack the Pipe.
Another few tracks with the inimitable Ad Rock sample for Drop.
Then it hit around the 40 minute mark. The jazzy feathery beats got replaced by a heavier tremor that vibrated up through the ground. The BASS had arrived. Dayum that's what been missing! Here it comes!
This change of pace was a pleasant surprise. The Pharcyde lauched into a heavier number and the chiggers in front of us broke out some of their club moves. I scoped the crowd for the reaction and discovered a dude with a white furry kangol barking the words back to Pharcyde - real hip hop fan.
The ladies got into it next as some were invited on stage to dance for Passing Me By - sort of a re-creation of their video. IKvsDK thought (hoped?) he recognized the blonde. None of them could dance very well so kind of a wasted opportunity.
More interaction with the crowd with the call-response for Oh Shit. I balked at "Toronto ... Shit" and waited in vain for "TFC .... Shit" or "Leafs .... Shit".
Some goof climbed the aluminum scaffolding, stealing the limelight for a few minutes. Last call and the NxNE festival headliners had completed their set. The drummer takes a well deserved bow - Man of the Match imho.
So with last year's De La Soul and this year's The Pharcyde, what's next year? Someone say "A Tribe called Quest"?
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