Jordan Stephens and Harley Alexander-Sule are better known as Rizzle Kicks. The duo rose to fame in June 2011 with the release of “Down with the Trumpets” and have gone on to sell over a million records since.
Almost a year on, the Brighton-born duo embarked on their first ever headline tour, which stopped off at Lincoln’s Engine Shed on Sunday, May 6th.
Support on the night came from Josh Osho, whose cover of Coldplay’s “Paradise” went down a storm with the onlookers. He also performed his latest single, “Giants,” as the excitement started to build.
Also supporting was Mikill Pane who, along with help from DJ Will Power, warmed up the crowd with a unique interpretation of Gotye’s – “Somebody That I Used To Know.” They also played the chorus of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” and performed some tracks from his latest EP.
Prior to the gig, rumours of its cancellation spread due to Jordan’s throat infection, but Rizzle Kicks certainly showed no signs of taking it easy as their high levels of energy and cheekiness was evident throughout.
Performing tracks from their debut album, “Stereo-Typical,” Rizzle Kicks, who previously appeared at the Engine Shed when they supported Professor Green, opened the night with “Prophet (Better Watch It)” and “Dreamers,” though it wasn’t long before the venue erupted into the duo’s third single, “When I Was A Youngster.”
A change of pace followed as Harley took to the guitar to perform “Miss Cigarette” and “Traveller’s Chant” and Jordan spontaneously broke out into Justin Timberlake’s “Senorita,” something that went down a treat with the crowd.
That wasn’t the only cover Rizzle Kicks performed as they sang their remixes of Ed Sheeran’s “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You” and The White Stripe’s “Seven Nation Army,” as well as the Harry Potter and James Bond theme tunes. It might sound like an odd assortment, but it certainly worked.
Jordan asked the crowd numerous questions during the show; though the one that received the best response was “Do you like humping?” as the iconic dance move made an appearance during “Mama Do The Hump” – their highest charting single. Rizzle Kicks then left the stage as the onlookers cried out for more.
Returning for the encore in a change of t-shirts, Rizzle Kicks performed “Even On A Rainy Day” before ending on “Down with the Trumpets.” It was a great ending to a brilliant night.
Rizzle Kicks have gone from strength-to-strength since they first appeared on the music scene and the duo showed no signs of slowing down during their show at the Engine Shed. With another headline tour later this year already very close to selling-out, this certainly isn’t the last we’ve seen of them.