Dotmusic may not have produced a list of hot tips for 2001, but had we done so the Swamis would no-doubt have been vying for our attention. This Bristol six-piece intend to be massive.
Not only do they have an unlimited supply of energy, but they spend their whole set grinning like lunatics and asking the audience "how you liking our concoction of Indian stuff and phat beats?"
Being Manchester the audience react cooly, then spend the rest of the night jumping up and down, wolf-whistling and smoking large amounts of dope.
Vocalist Jazz alternates between short yelps, long raps and powerful howls whilst the rest of The Swamis create a steaming stew of rock, funk, hip hop and reggae.
Drummer Royston provides the perfect backdrop for the two guitarists to bleed their instruments dry whilst tabla player Neel adds his own unique rhythms and flavours.
The group's secret weapon stands on a raised platform at the back of the stage, eyes focused on the decks beneath him. Every now and then, he treats the audience to a detailed and impressive scratch marathon. Mostly however, DJ Sneakee cuts the other members some slack and engages in a compelling platter of beats and breaks.
Aging B-Boys would probably dismiss The Swamis fusion as 'incredibly dated' or 'incredibly generic', but their drive and determination more than compensates for their lack of originality.
Likewise, The Pharcyde prove that despite being dinosaurs (they've been together ten years now!) they still know how to party. DJ M-Walk delivers an arresting array of lush, funk soundscapes whilst MCs Imani and Brown stroll up and down the stage, locked in a battle of verbal gymnastics.
Occasionally, the band play one of the highlights from their recent album 'Plain Rap'. The rest of the time? They cut and splice old favourites from 'Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde' and 'Labcabincalifornia' with new skits and party tricks. 'Ya Mama', 'Otha Fish' and 'Passin Me By' all reduce the crowd to hysteria whilst 'Runnin' and 'Somethin' That Means Somethin' and 'She Said' get everybody singing along.
Just as the crowd are starting to look at their watches and check they haven't missed last orders, The Pharcyde wrap up their set with a wonderful version of 'Frontline'.
There's no encore or sermon: just a seventy minute reminder to dust off those old albums and give them another spin.
