Engine Shed goes ‘Bonkers’ for Dizzee Rascal

— Raphael Wilson contributed with this report

The wait was finally over. After the postponement of his first gig in November last year, Dizzee Rascal was ready to rock the Engine Shed for the second time.

Armed with “Dirty Stank Recordings” label mates “D Double E”, “Footsie” and “Smurfie Syco”, the boy from Bow in East London left the crowd with no doubts that he was happy to be back, and was grateful for their support.

BBC Radio 1Xtra “Dj Semtex” warmed the crowd up with the latest hip-hop and rap tunes on the decks and the crowd sang along as the atmosphere grew inside the Engine Shed.

The show began with the support acts D Double E and Footsie who, despite their best efforts, could not bring the crowd to life. It was as if Semtex should have stayed on the turn tables rather than let this duo onto the microphones. The lack of interaction with the crowd could be the reason for this lukewarm response, and grime may not be easy on the ears of all the fans in attendance.

Where D Double E and Footsie failed, Smurfie Syco passed with flying colours when it came to crowd participation. The MC, who wore an overly sized Superman chain, got the audience going with a ‘who can scream the loudest’ contest and taught them a new dance. His performance was simple, but nevertheless entertaining and he left the fans wanting some more, even though he was unfamiliar to most in attendance.

After a brief intermission, it was time for the main event – the reason everybody was in attendance. It was time for Dizzee Rascal.

The noise was deafening as Dizzee, accompanied by “MC Scope”, ran onto the stage and kicked things off with songs from his latest album “Tongue N’ Cheek”. The crowd were really into Dizzee and they appreciated his sincere apologies for the last year’s cancelled concert.

After these performances it was time for another interval, in which Dizzee took things back in time with “Pussyole (Old Skool)” and the instant classic from his first album “Jus’ a Rascal”.

Following that, he performed less familiar tracks such as “Chillin’ wiv da Man Dem” and “Money, Money” then brought out club bangers such as “Dance wiv Me” and “Holiday”.

To wrap up the show he sent the fans into raptures with his number one hit “Bonkers”, and the crowd responded with the loudest ovation of the night to send them home happy.

After the show, The Linc had a few words with Scope and Footsie to ask how the gig went and what was poppin’ off in the tour bus. Scope said: “I hope everybody enjoyed the show and we’re just gonna’ go back to the hotel and chill.”