Sunday 21/05/06 Matisyahu @ Academy 2, Manchester

Soooo, this is the Jewish rapper then, is it? Or does he in fact think he’s a Rasta? With tonight’s interesting, if bizarre, blend of music, it’s hard to tell.  Never has this reviewer been to a gig where such a large proportion of the audience is there for reasons other than the music.  But this doesn’t mean the music doesn’t matter. It clearly does. Matisyahu’s influences are obviously diverse, giving the evening a true head**** feeling. Not since the ‘80s has so much fret wanking been seen, but coupled with some human beatboxing and a lot of tunes that can only be described as reggae, the blend on offer here tonight was nothing if not far reaching. Hearing rap over the top of this just added to the mash.  But, it did work…. Mostly.  After an appalling opener the set was getting better and better, although not exactly what you might call rap.  By the time Matisyahu started beatboxing even this cynic was beginning to enjoy himself. Until it all went on for too long. It was a true case of you can have too much of a good thing, and the pleasure began to turn to boredom.  But, as one member of the crowd was waving their crutches in the air, it became obvious the boredom wasn’t shared.

But tonight’s performance was about so much more than the music, and it was obvious that this would be the case from the outset.  Matisyahu has a strong following because he is Jewish, not because of the music.  He’s not the first Jew in music, nor will he be the last, but for some reason it’s his selling point.  This made the whole show feel like an act, it seemed not to matter about the music, or Matisyahu’s vocal talent at all.  But his unique blend of rap, reggae, and rock made for something different, made a break from the norm.  The performance was truly that: a performance.  His vocal skills don’t match up to his beatboxing skills, but for getting people dancing, even those on crutches, Matisyahu really is the one.