Gig review: Wu-Tang-Clan

THINGS didn't begin promisingly. Signs taped up by the door pointed out that Wu-Tang members RZA, Raekwon and Inspektah Deck wouldn't be performing "due to unforeseen circumstances". Then the planned stage time of just before 9pm was missed by more than an hour. "I know as much as you," implored their tour DJ in the face of mounting boos. "Don't take it out on me, we're all in this together!"

Then two-thirds of the Wu-Tang posse sauntered onstage, and all was forgiven. Spraying champagne over the crowd, they burst into life with Bring Da Ruckus' declaration of intent, as a roadie placed a mountainous stack of fresh towels and a case of bottled water on the stage. We were in for a hot night, it seemed, and if you were among the feverish, jam-packed crowd down on the main dancefloor that's very much what you got.

However, this was like shooting fish in a barrel for the Clan, even without such crowdpleasers as Ghostface Killah wearing a kilt ("outta respect for your country") and the indefatigable Method Man indulging in a bit of crowdsurfing. They got away with clipped versions of Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Clan in Da Front and Ice Cream, although momentum built expertly later in the show with Brooklyn Zoo – a tribute to "our pervert and yours", the late ODB – the instantly recognisable Gravel Pit and Method Man's thrilling Rockwilder. Underpinning all this excellent hype work from the MCs, a harsh, basic beat that was always primal, but never brutal.