KiSStory Blast Off Tour kicked off in Liverpool the other night with performances from top US stars Nelly, Shaggy, Salt’n’Pepper and many more.
As anthem after anthem pounds out from the stage, it’s fair to say that this Liverpool crowd needs no excuse whatsoever to get up and dance. Featuring some of the top names from the ’90s garage, hip-hop and R’n’B scenes, fans are out in force, young and old, for a night headlined by superstar Nelly.
Hosted by the legendary Fatman Scoop, UK Garage All-Stars have kicked this night off by the time we arrive. In fact, even this early in the evening, the M&S Bank Arena is shaking to its foundation. Courtesy of some thumping anthems from Oxide and Neutrino, Romeo and Lisa Maffia, the Garage fans in the audience are quickly up and out of their seats. It’s a slightly more muted response though for Blu Cantrell even to tracks like “Make Me Wanna Scream” but the American R&B/Soul singer looks to be loving her time in the UK.
Mya, on the other hand, has no problem with this crowd. Energetic anthems like “Ghetto Supastar” and “Case of the Ex” are perfect anthems for this predominantly female crowd. Those fans are pouring into the arena by now with many gyrating in the aisles before they’ve even got their seats. It’s fair to say that the party is now well and truly on in Liverpool.
It’s time for Kisstory to start wheeling out the big guns and, with Fatman Scoop confirming her status as a true legend, next up is hip-hop star Eve. Pumping through a nine-song set, fans are treated to the likes of “Gangsta Lovin'” and “Got What You Need”. Her cover of Gwen Stefani’s “Rich Girl” gets an airing as does “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” a track which featured the aforementioned No Doubt superstar. We’re in the big league now.
Mention Salt N’ Pepa to anybody over thirty and they immediately start singing “Push It”. The atmosphere is crackling around the arena as a montage of video clips showcases the girls’ career before they bounce out to a deafening welcome. All smiles, fans join the duo on stage for a short routine but it’s the hits we all want. The girls do not disappoint in that department either. Yes, their set might have felt like it was over before it started but if we’re talking big guns, there are none bigger than pop anthems “Let’s Talk About Sex” and “Push It”.
Shaggy strutted out from the back of the stage confirming he was way cooler than anyone else in this building. To further confirm his position as the coolest person on this tour, Shaggy kicks off his short set with “Boombastic”. This magnificent display of reggae sees Shaggy whisk you away from a dreary Liverpool and to the hottest party in the Bahamas. The soundtrack is awesome, the host is a legend and the temperature inside the arena just raised another few degrees.
Not that the temperature needed raising but, as headliner Nelly arrived, there couldn’t have been a more appropriate anthem than “Hot In Herre”. The R’n’B star and his anthems had Liverpool gyrating as if their lives depended on it. From “Ride Wit Me” to the aforementioned “Hot In Herre” to hit single “Dilemma”, Nelly lived up to his superstar status with a set that brought this night to a sizzling finale.
Photo Copyright © Andy Von Pip
