Despite hearing great things about Beardyman’s , aka Darren Foreman, beatboxing and looping skills I’d never seen him live or listened to much of his music. According to his die-hard fans I was in for a first time gig treat.
Breaking the ice with some banter and a mix of Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’, Beardyman had the crowd like putty in his hands. Moving from some 70s inspired rock to his own version of the Busta Rhymes classic ‘Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See’ to the Donna Summers anthem ‘I Feel Love’ and more importantly, ‘My Lovely Horse’ this was definitely an eclectic night of music and giggles for the audience. Once a suitably hilarious mash of Father Ted quotes with heavy beats and loops kicked in the crowd went completely mental. To say we like our Father Ted is an understatement it seems.
Switching from soul to reggae to pop sounds, the main highlight was a version of “Mr. Boombastic”. A blast from the past for most of the crowd in the Twisted Pepper and a cue to dance like it was 1995. His dubstep onslaught towards the end of the set was, by far, some of the dirtiest and sweetest beats I’d heard in a long time. Hypnotic looping and gabba gabba left the crowd sweaty, smiling and satisfied before an enthusiastic encore after an hour and a half of frenzied dancing.
Despite some technological difficulties and much booing at his dodgy machine Beardyman still managed to keep the crowd completely enthralled with his infectious humour, silly faces, heavy beats and impressive live looping skills. Wrapping up after almost two hours, with only one plug for his new album “I Done A Album”, Beardyman faced a crowd of danced out fans who definitely got what they came for. Although, between you and me, Beardyman sounds disturbingly like Shaggy. Won’t hold it against him though.
Claire Byrne
