CityLife

Aziz, Simple Kid, Akala @ Old Trafford

17/06/06

THE hot summer sun shone on the crowd as they poured into the Lancashire cricket ground on Saturday, and the they we're doubly warmed by the surprise pleasure of Aziz Ibrahim taking to the stage.

Aziz and Dalbir Singh worked they're usual magic with tracks from Lahore to Longsight, the only thing missing being Aziz's laser light show - but it was daylight.

The first act officially on the bill was Simple Kid with his beatbox/country and western blend, complete with harmonica

Simple Kid, aka Ciaran McFeely, has been building a reputation on tour with the likes Travis, The Thrills and Suede - and his blend of folksy vocals with computer-led backing is a refreshing change.

McFeely's set was short, only six songs, but three of them we're the highlights of the day; Commuter, Twenty Something and Serotonin.

Next up we're London based rapper Akala, who may have seemed like a strange choice for this bill given the audience had come to see Razorlight and Richard Ashcroft, and their beats led bounce fest failed to strike much of a chord.

The highlight of the set was This Is London, complete with samples of the Clash's London Calling.

However, Akala's Nah This Is Bullsh*t went wide of the mark. Maybe it had something to do with the references to London's congestion charge - it's London, who cares?

What did you think? Have your say