Music > Live Reviews

Ghostface Killah

The Adrian Flux Waterfront

08/06/18

When Ghostface played Norwich in 2016, with Killah Priest in tow, it was one of those nights when you couldn’t really believe that here was an actual Wu Tang member playing right here in Norwich. The show was a sell-out and sure they kept us waiting, but all was forgiven as they blasted through an hour of hip-hop goodness. Arriving this time to a significantly smaller crowd was a shame, but Thursday night is the official start of the weekend right, so there were good vibes all round and some good tunes being pumped out of the PA. Music Lessons were the support and they did an OK job, they’ve certainly improved since I first saw them supporting Blak Twang at the Owl Sanctuary three years ago. Then we had a DJ who played a baffling mix of hip-hop and techno? Weird, but hey anything to fill the time before Ghostface’s advertised stage time of 10pm yeah? The vibe was still good, everyone chatting and excited as we waited. Then we waited some more. The DJ left and we waited while music played as the clock ticked towards 10.30, everyone painfully aware that curfew is 11pm.

By now most the goodwill had gone, people were leaving and the sound of booing grew louder and louder. No-one told us what was going on, we just stood there getting increasingly irate. FINALLY, shortly after 10.40 a DJ appeared, plugged in his laptop and started trying to get everyone up. Moments later Killah Priest bounded onstage to relieved cheers. Ghostface was seconds behind him and for a brief moment it felt like the night was going to be saved. Then a pissed off punter threw a pint at Ghostface, he said “I’m out” and left the stage literally less than a minute after arriving. Killah Priest stood there, rapped a few lines from Heavy Mental then tried to encourage Ghostface back, telling us we should have more respect before he admitted defeat and departed and that was it – show over. Under 2 minutes for £22. In 32 years of gig going I have never seen anything like it.

I can’t justify someone throwing a drink onstage, but the anger was understandable. Someone told me they thought they’d heard mention of them being late due to issues with customs – bullshit. Their last show was in Switzerland FIVE days before this one - what, they couldn’t organise their travel plans to allow them plenty of time to arrive in Norwich to prepare for the show? Tough guy rapper, the big man from Staten Island walks because someone throws a drink at him? Why not call him out? Why not confront him? I saw someone throw a pint at Lemmy once – he had a word, no more drinks were thrown. Ghostface revealed himself to be a prick of the highest order, a bellend of monumental scale. He showed us that he is not professional, he does not care one jot about his fans and he honestly makes me feel like I don’t want to listen to his brilliant music again. I’m sure I’ll get over it...but DAYUM!

Happily the Waterfront will be refunding the cost of entry, but spread the word - Ghostface Killah is a fraud, an utter disgrace and an insult to his audience.