On the 31st of May, the NBA Leather Tour Europa Leg came to the Brixton Academy in London. Featuring Earl Sweat Shirt and the Alchemist, this is the first headline show Action Bronson has played in the UK since his White Bronco tour in 2019. 

Eager fans filled the Brixton Academy and you were able to feel the excitement and building energy for the show ahead. Due to the unpredictability of the pandemic, the UK has been starved of overseas talent. Fans came from all over the UK to the capital for the biggest UK performance of the tour. Seen in the audience were some of the UK’s finest rising rap talent including Finn Foxxel and Louis Culture. Steve Stamp, Asim Chaudhry and Allan Mustafa of People Just Do Nothing were also in attendance.

Lord Apex was the first to take to the stage as initial support. He brought ferocious energy to what must be his biggest support slot to date. Fans were in awe of his performance, at one point he asked for all the lights in the house to be killed and the whole crowd lit him up with their torches on their phones. A mesmerising moment.

Earl Sweatshirt came to play with his tour DJ and close collaborator Black Noi$e. A triumphant performance complete with songs from Sweatshirt's back catalogue. A couple of songs into Sweatshirt’s slot, he paved way for Quelle Chris to join him centre stage. “Hold on. Let’s make some noise for my brother Quelle Chris. Guess who’s going viral tonight”. The two gave each other a warm embrace before performing together. Sweatshirt’s performance was nothing short of amazing and a truly historical moment for the Brixton Academy.

The gap between Sweatshirts' performance and Bronson emerging from the green room felt like a lifetime. It was like everyone in the room was biting their nails in anticipation. As soon as Alchemist runs onto the stage, the crowd lose it. Everybody raws with excitement. Alchemist steps behind his Roland Serato DJ-808 and drops some of his beats. “ Are you ready?” Bronson strolls out on stage, famously sporting his new look of elbow sleeves and a white vest. Between rapping, Bronson flexes his muscles, busts out some serious air saxophone and even signs a copy of his book ‘F#ck, That's Delicious’ before tossing it back into the audience. Bronson performed an array of songs spanning his archive, not forgetting to lay down crowd-pleasers such as ‘Baby Blue’ whilst including new material from ‘Cocodrillo Turbo’. ÑBA Leather was everything and more. A performance that fans will not forget anytime soon.

Words and Pictures - Harvey Wallbanger @mr.harvey.wallbanger