Live Report: Songer delivers raucous rap chaos at The Academy

The Reading native is currently on a brief tour in support of his latest acclaimed LP THE PRICE OF THERAPY. A follow up from last year’s hit full-length SKALA, he detailed the intimacies of his life as a young musician this time around, balancing the therapeutic benefits of his practice with the pitfalls of being successful in an increasingly hostile industry.

He's ardent to prove that he’s “not a viral fucking TikTok” and his live show goes a long way in proving that, as does the ferocity and multiplicity of his die hard audience, who filled Academy Green Room wall to wall.

After a rip-roaring support slot from fellow promising rapper KillOwen (his pseudonym taken from his ancestral homeland in Cork), out came the main man, draped in a custom made Irish flag, which donned SONGER across the white of the tricolour.

Songer live at The academy Green Room 4/4/2024. Photo: Emily O'Brien

Not that he needed any help in getting them up for the occasion, but the gesture, as a marker of his admitted love of the Emeralds Isle, suitably primed his fervent onlookers.

As Songer delved into ‘BEWARE OF THE DOG’, it becomes immediately clear that the energy of his lyrical prowess showcased on the recordings isn’t lost in a live setting. Perhaps the only thing more impressive than his own abilities are those of the audience, who played ad-lib ping-pong with the rapper all night.

The bond between onlookers and performer was striking, all the more impressive by the fact that SONGER is an independent artist. Often rejecting big money deals in favour of artistic integrity, his DIY vibe and authenticity clearly resonates with his devotees.

Also striking a chord are his bars, buttressed by his body-shaking bass-heavy beats. ‘FABREGAS FREESTYLE’ went down a treat. One of many odes to his (unfortunately) beloved Chelsea FC, witty lines like “Setting fire to a building like a match attack” exhibit that Songer’s words are simultaneously deliberated yet naturally occuring .

He’s not afraid to get a little more serious either, discussing his state of mental listlessness of mind on ‘LAVENDER’, and taking us through some heartbreaking storytelling on ‘DEC22ND’ – a track dedicated to an old friend who passed away, it’s a prime example of Songer’s poignant vulnerability.

He’s just as good on the fly too, opting to freestyle over the Ole chants belted out by the crowd.

Ultimately, it’s the Kante-esque stamina on display which stands out. Eternally thinking eight bars ahead , Songer doesn’t slow down or mince his words once, particularly on ‘THE SKY WOULD STAY BLUE’ a six-minute epic from the last album.

Songer live at The academy Green Room 4/4/2024. Photo: Emily O'Brien

Rapping an encyclopaedia worth of words at a breakneck speed, for an entire hour, is not easily done. The greatness of the spectacle is compounded further, considering (with the exception of his producer/avid hype man in the back) the fact that rappers are often one-man bands - there aren’t any effects pedals or virtuoso musicians to hide behind.

Being solely responsible for people’s enjoyment is clearly a challenge which Songer trounces with aplomb. That’s not to say he didn’t call on some help from his pals, with opening act and childhood friend Daneo joining him on stage for a brief but bouncy dual performance.

Songer also took time to thank another, more high profile collaborator. Joking that Britney Spears, despite her best intentions, couldn’t make it to The Academy that evening, he ripped into his megahit ‘Toxic (Freestlye). A tune which likely introduced the young rapper to many in attendance, the track's iconic beat sent limbs flying.

Capping off the night, as he does on THE PRICE OF THERAPY, with the sweet, bossa nova-sampling ‘EVINHA’, Songer left the audience, now mostly shirtless and drenched in sweat, a more than happy bunch as they trundled out onto Abbey Street.