LIVE: I LOVE THE ‘90s feat VANILLA ICE, SALT N’ PEPA, COOLIO, TONE LOC, COLOUR ME BADD, YOUNG MC – Perth, 13 June, 2017

Shane | 20 June 2017 | Reply

LIVE: I LOVE THE ‘90s feat VANILLA ICE, SALT N’ PEPA, COOLIO, TONE LOC, COLOUR ME BADD, YOUNG MC – Perth, 13 June, 2017
Perth Arena, Western Australia
Reviewed by Kevin Curran
Photography by Stuart McKay

As a guy that usually reviews rock and metal gigs, it is sometimes good to change it up and catch something out of your comfort zone – and tonight at Perth Arena this was it! The I Love The ‘90s tour at Perth Arena, with Vanilla Ice, Salt n’ Pepa, Coolio, Tone Loc, Colour Me Badd and Young MC.

I got there just in time to catch the tail end of Young MC, and believe it or not, he ended up finishing with a Midnight Oil tribute, rapping over the top.

The first couple of sets tonight were super short – only 10 to 15 minutes each, with no instrument change required, thanks to the backing tracks kids! Young Mc got the crowd up and moving early and received a great reception.

[Show picture list]

Next up was Tone Loc who I am familiar with, from Funky Cold Medina, and as soon as Wild Thing started playing, I realised that was the other hit I knew. With a cover of Gin and Juice, literally sandwiched in between an array of ladies onstage, Tone’s short but entertaining set could well have been one of the best of the night.

Colour Me Badd were up next, and they seemed the least known to the crowd, judging by the reaction. They did bring a change of pace from the previous acts, with their r’n’b boy band, 3 part harmony vibe. During another short set I found myself remembering and enjoying their hit Rock With You.

Coolio was next, and kudos to him – he did change the dynamic a bit with live drums, guitar and saxophone played by supremely good players. However, I felt the set seemed a bit disjointed compared to the previous acts. Was this due to time restraints? I’m not sure. Coolio’s diction in his rapping was really hard to distinguish at times. Finishing with monster hit Gangtas Paradise, this version with the saxophone was a little too removed from the original song and melody that I didn’t feel it, but that’s just me.

Salt N’ Pepa looked great, and it’s hard to believe they were in their 50’s. Complete with DJ Spinderella, there was no denying they were the most popular act of the night, bringing the most hits in Push It, What A Man and Shoop, which were all left to the end of an hour long entertaining set that kept the fans more than happy.

Vanilla Ice was on last and despite this tour being very much a nostalgia night, Vanilla Ice didn’t come across that way so much. Rob Van Winklel came out swinging and was aggressive and bass heavy, with – dare I say – more of a modern tinge to his performance than everyone else. Sections of the audience left during his performance, perhaps not understanding what he was doing, and the tail end went in a more of house/techno direction, which was different to the first half of the set. If he stuck to the more aggressive song-based selection of the first half of the set it would have been a more complete performance.

For something different the I Love The ‘90s was a fun-filled night for me , and for most of the crowd, too.