Skepta left a week of Red Bull Studios Future Underground shows in his wake on Friday night with a ferocious performance. For the final night of Red Bull Studios Future Underground at Collins Music Hall – an underground space three storeys beneath Islington Green – the Tottenham-born MC ripped through a set bookended by That’s Not Me and Shutdown.
The performance capped an eventful week for Skepta, which saw him awarded an AIM gong for Outstanding Contribution to Music, give out free copies of his new mixtape on the streets of New York, appear on stage with Travis Scott and then steal the show at the Fool’s Gold Day Off festival. Following his recent appearances at Reading and Leeds – which saw crowds of thousands extend way beyond the tents he was appearing in – the Red Bull Studios Future Underground show gave fans one of the last chances to see him up close in an intimate setting.
There was a star studded turn out at the VIP bar, with Eliza Doolittle and Game of Thrones star Nathalie Emmanuel seen hanging out together and showing their support, with Eliza right in the thick of it despite wearing six inch heels. Nathalie, a friend of Skepta and the BBK crew, was seen heading backstage to their green room for a post-show celebration. Radio 1 daytime star Clara Amfo was also in attendance, snapped with fellow grime fan and DJ Poet. Bip Ling had some trouble making it in to the show after arriving late to find the venue shutdown due to full capacity, but managed to find her way in in time to witness the bulk of Skepta’s set.
Skepta’s appearance wasn’t just enjoyed by those inside Collins Music Hall, as Red Bull live streamed the performance in partnership with Virgin Media. Fans were going crazy across social media as the energy translated from stage to screen.
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You can read Red Bull’s own review of the night
here.
