Wednesday 17th August

support by Example and Wretch 32

Describe in a Tweet: A tale of two halves.

What happened: In the end a decent performance, but one which opens with instant disappointment. We appreciate it's hard to keep a bunch of session musicians on the road, but the last time ATL saw Dizzee he had a full live band. Tonight it's just him, an MC, the DJ and a couple of guest vocalists. Daft to complain too much, mind - it makes for a grimier, old-skool performance we may have missed otherwise. The likes of 'I Luv U' and the Chase & Status produced 'Dirty' work best in the circumstances, proper filthy. New song 'Bassline Junky' suggests album number five will take him full circle. For the opening twenty minutes Dizzee is a grime superstar once again.

Then it's all about what made him massive. 'Holiday' could be the most cynical piece of music ever written, but there's no arguing with it's reaction tonight. Total bedlam, even before the inevitable 'Bonkers' finale.

Looks Sharp: 'Fix Up Look Sharp' still sounds incredibly fresh, tonight tweaked a little with some snazzy DJ acrobatics.

Needs Fixed Up: 'Dance Wiv Me', much like all of his four number ones, sounds over-played at this point, featuring as it has in every DJ set the world has heard in the last three years (or so it feels). Hardly Dizzee's fault, mind.

Belsonic Rating: 7/10



Photo: Carrie Davenport