Concert review: Jurassic 5, Powerstation

Jurassic 5 deliver feel-good throwback rap of the best kind.

It's easy to feel sorry for the nameless DJs at the back of the stage at hip-hop shows, especially when all eyes are usually on the man with the microphone.

But that's not the case at a Jurassic 5 concert. At last night's Powerstation show, the reformed rap collective's dual DJ team were centre of attention throughout their commanding 90-minute performance.

It's fitting that Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark were the first of the six-strong Los Angeles group to arrive on stage in front of the half-full but rowdy venue, delivering their trademark throwback beats, samples and scratches like the pros they've become.

Much of Jurassic 5's appeal comes from the duo's production talents, and opening songs Jayou and The Influence - with the group's four MCs Akil, Zaakir, Marc 7 and Charli 2na arriving in fine voice - wear their debts to mid-'90s feel-good hip-hop proudly on their sleeves.

But it was a mid-set solo by the DJ pair that really ignited tonight's show, as Cut Chemist recreated the iconic bassline to Dead Prez' anthem Hip-hop on a turntable guitar strapped around his neck, while Nu-Mark provided scratches and samples courtesy of his turntable shirt.

They then turned their attention to the giant turntable set up in the middle of the stage, proving it wasn't just a prop with a swaggering scratch session that held the crowd in awe.

Yes, this was a trick that anyone who saw Jurassic 5's Powerstation show in the same venue this time last year will instantly recognise. And yes, their show has changed little since they reformed in 2013, performing many of the same tracks and tricks that made last year's show such an unmissable treat.

But the dual DJ showcase was a moment that set up a thrilling second half, with a mid-set combo of Quality Control and Concrete Schoolyard that had all four of Jurassic 5's rappers performing in unison for 10 scintillating minutes.

It was a show that came with a vastly extended encore this time too, with the show's last quarter including fan requests from the front rows, with rarely performed live songs The Game, Work It Out and recent new single The Way We Do It going down a treat.

It's a show that comes with a few cheesy moments - like occasional outbursts of co-ordinated dance moves and star jumps, or the motorbike skit that comes before A Day at the Races that asks the audience to pretend to ride a giant bike and dangle their keys.

But the band's cheeky grins prove Jurassic 5 are having the time of their lives on their neverending reunion tour. When Akil jumped into the crowd to perform What's Golden's persuasive hook, it proved that if you're suffering a case of the blues, a yearly dose of Jurassic 5 live is just what the hip-hop doctor ordered.

* Jurassic 5 perform at the Powerstation again tonight and tomorrow.

Jurassic 5
Where: The Powerstation, Auckland
When: Thursday, April 9