Chipmunk's chatter entertains at T

Jul 13 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

T in the Park: Chipmunk review

SOAKED rising rap star Chipmunk braved the elements to open T in the Park’s main stage on Saturday lunchtime.

The 19-year-old clearly struggled to deal with everything a typically Scottish summer could throw at him in the early stages.

Hooded and hidden behind dark glasses, the MC from North London looked as if he wanted to ask a nearby steward for a loan of an umbrella.

But fired by up-tempo numbers from his inaugural record, I Am Chipmunk – and an unusually large and high-spirited early afternoon crowd – the grime scene graduate soon warmed up.

Rapping over a backing track and flanked by a bassist and drummer, top ten single Until You Were Gone injected a sense of life into proceedings and, appropriately, brought about a break in the rain.

As the elements relented, the set gained momentum, with the infectious, ska-influenced, Diamond Rings enhancing the momentum still further.

Both tracks rely heavily on a female singer for their respective catchy chorus lines.

Unfortunately, as the diminutive frontman was the only vocalist in sight, fans had to rely on the synthesised background music to give the set a different feel.

Other urban artists, such as Dizzee Rascal and Jay-Z the following day, had singers alongside them to give the more melodic moments of their respective showcases a greater authenticity.

It may be slightly unfair to compare Chipmunk to such heavyweights as the fledgling performer is at the opposite end of his career.

A sparkling Union Jack microphone was a nice touch, and apt as British institution Sir Elton John was sampled during Tiny Dancer.

Covering Kanye West’s Touch the Sky showed he has the ability to stray from the pre-ordained path.

Shouting “What’s up Glasgow!?” will not have gone down well with Kinross-shire locals.

But the geographical error may well have been a deliberate ploy, as the likeable lad left the stage to number one single Oopsie Daisy.