Confusion is the perennial bedfellow of award events and this evening wasn't about to change the rules.
To kick off the venue's ticket office is closed due to illness, leaving a crowd of street stragglers wondering how they're going to get in. After a bout of negotiations with bouncers, a queue of puffer jackets, hats and shell toe trainers forms and begins to file into the venue.
Once inside, the dark and moody interior of the Jazz Café is throbbing with bass as the sharp click of snares and the ripple of the rimshots ricochet around the walls. DJ Pogo, the man behind the competition, is working the decks, while a clutch of MCs are attempting to generate some energy in a somewhat chilled crowd who all but refuse to move for the entire evening.
The competition itself is predictably fast and furious as some top talent takes the stage, demonstrating original styles with the customary well-chosen vinyl insults at the end of each set.
The live performances between sets gives the evening an extra twist, with open mike sessions revealing up and coming MCs/DJs and some show stopping human beat box antics from Box Clevor.
The grand final showdown produces a sure win for Skully 1, who cuts his way through with some great breaks that easily win the full support of the crowd.
The evening is rounded off courtesy of the Scratch Perverts who, despite technical difficulties, manage to perform a great set.
