Jeremih and his boys partied hard in Wellington. With songs like Birthday Sex; features like ‘Down On Me’ with 50 Cent and ‘My Bae’ with Vado (#2 on Mai FM the week he was here); also joints like Late NYC the Wellington crowd at the Grand encompassed all sides of the party scene that night. It was one of Raw and Shan’s international Wednesdays but this time there was a larger stage than usual; barred off well for those who paid the $75 for VIP meet and greets.
“I’m from Chicago” The DJ, TTaylor announced… And then these Chi-town dudes brought Welly a party with class; they were chill and keen to vibe — but not in a nasty, sloppy way, which still happens (sadly).
I like that they were gentleman, but ruckus. I like that Jeremih had the swag of A$AP Rocky (full length, fitted man cardi in tact) without the superiority and that his hype man still had his ass hanging out his jeans.
The best part Welly clubbers could learn from that Wednesday night was that just because a woman whose a stranger to a man whose a stranger to that woman are getting down like they’re about to get it on — don’t mean they have to feel shame or get married, you don’t even have to know each others names…
I liked that.
The difference between Jeremih and say Mario was the music quality. Yes it’s pop/R&B. But there’s a section in Jeremih’s approach that steers him well away from other C-grade artists touring AUS and NZ. Listen to Late NYC. Then listen to All About You. Then play ‘Birthday Sex’ on Jeremih for the fuck of it.
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Some criticisms I’ve heard about the night is that they came out too late and people had work the next day; I’d also heard from people that the Grand is a dodgy venue to be at. But where else in Wellington has a good size and sound — one that’s easily filled with short notice (as is the nature of internationals crossing the ditch from Australia).
TBH I really like the wood and brick interior, the balcony makes smoking convenient. What are y’all looking at? Wellington needs to get behind these gigs more so Shan and Raw can keep bringing us more MUSIC like Jeremih. All too often I tell people what I did on a Wednesday night or the weekend and the answer I get is “Huh? I didn’t even know they were here”. (Freddie Gibbs, Bone Thugs, Lloyd).
The best part about going to a show held by Shan And Raw is the non-pretense; there’s a filtering system in the nature of their shows thats dictates: you come if you come and want to see the act because they’re good and that’s the bottom line; all the technical skill required to put on a 100-type show is there when these guys do it. The openers are chosen specifically (Jesse Antonio, Ray Tait – MMA). The DJ’s hold it down and set it off in between sets, in particular DJ Gooda, Marek and DJ Raw.
What’s needed is more attendance and open-mindedness at these shows. More foot traffic gives the promoters more options regarding who they can bring.
Who knows, maybe ‘International Wednesdays’ can become a permanent thing. $30 – $40 to see Jeremih is all good really. Personally, I’d like to see August Alsina before I die, or even before 2014 is done and then it would be moved to James Cabaret anyway. Not to mention, if we can build the momentum and really get into it, artists like Jeremih might be able to pre-know that Late NYC would be a joint we’d actually want to hear live in the middle of the club as opposed to a straight commercial set, maybe.
When DJ Gooda went to New York he said what he noticed about their clubs there is the party-goers ability to still get down to a slow beat and then take their energy back up again as the DJ’s set travelled along peaks and falls. Welly has different pockets of hip hop and R&B lovers who party separately but love the same music. We’re not too cool to open our minds and take the dance/hip hop/party scene up a couple notches…Are we? Surely not.
Check out our Chicago photo essay by Sara Coe.
Review: Jeremih — Don’t Tell Em’ Tour @ The Grand, Wellington Jeremih and his boys partied hard in Wellington. With songs like Birthday Sex; features like 'Down On Me' with 50 Cent and 'My Bae' with Vado (#2 on Mai FM the week he was here); also joints like Late NYC the Wellington crowd at the Grand encompassed all sides of the party scene that night.
