070 Shake at Northcote Theatre
US singer, songwriter and creative 070 Shake travelled across the globe to meet her adoring fans, who packed out Northcote Theatre in celebration of her first tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Support duties were managed by Lithe; a Melbourne-based singer, songwriter and producer whose music and overall vibe were a logical choice to open the night’s festivities. With not one but two hype men on the decks, Lithe drew in the early crowds and won them over with his smooth, entrancing R&B beats. Getting the crowd pumped for what was to come, we loved everything from newly release song All For What? to his popular Lots of Love, and his most popular track Hold Out. From catching Lithe for the first time, it’s clear to see that he is going places and we look forward for what’s to come.
070 Shake AKA Danielle Balbuena, is the rising star in the hip-hop and alternative R&B scene. With a genre-bending style and collaborations with some of the biggest names in music (Beyonce, Nas, Fred again…, Pusha T, and Kid Cudi to name a few), it was so special to have the chance to see the talented performer play songs from her debut album Modus Vivendi, latest album You Can’t Kill Me and a series of collaborations and unreleased tracks. The crowd were throwing themselves at the performer, as she sang, rapped, danced and partied the night away, bringing everyone together through her music.
From receiving flowers from a crowd member after opening with a cover song of Ye’s Violent Crimes, to opening with some of our all-time favourites with History, Skin and Bones and Glitter, you could not ask for a better start to a performance that only continued to peak. Danielle told the crowd, ‘I want to have a beautiful night with you guys tonight, if nothing else exists there’s just us right now’ as she led into Vibrations and The Pines.
While some performers sound identical to their recorded tracks, 070 Shake’s raw energy and party vibes further added to the releases we know and love; extending songs out and changing intros to further add to the live experience. The party went to the next level during Nice to Have and Fred again…’s Danielle outro looping again and again. Taking the time to tell everyone it’s the furthest she’s ever been from home, 070 Shake expressed her immense gratitude and thanks to the crowd for understanding her music and for understanding her.
The remainder of the set perfectly blended everyone’s favourite tracks, some of the best music from her latest album, and a few hidden gems and unreleased songs from an upcoming album to appease everyone’s requests. From Under The Moon, Medicine and Blue Velvet, things calmed down a little before racing back up for Cocoon, and of course, Honey – where the crowd were asked to open up the pit and have some fun. Taking the time to make quality connections with the audience; 070 Shake signed t-shirts and vinyl for fans, and encouraged the crowd to jump up on people’s shoulders. It was clear it was important for the artist to let the audience know they had been seen – with a genuine connection.
The set closed out with unreleased song Elephant going off, a slow and eerie intro to Guilty Conscience that will stay with us for days, Flight319 as a chance to live in the moment and appreciate the preciousness of life, and finishing off with another Ye cover – Ghost Town. As the night came to an end, Danielle tells the crowd, ‘I’ll remember this moment forever, I promise’ – and we want to let her know, the feeling is mutual.