The rap star was impressed by the massive crowd of 81,000 at the MCG.Credit: Jeremy Deputat
MUSIC
EMINEM ★★★★
Rapture Tour
MCG, February 24
Rap superstar Eminem packed out the MCG on Sunday with almost 81,000 fans piling into the stadium, smashing Melbourne's previous concert attendance record held by 2009's Sound Relief. Marshall Mathers brought to mind Queen's Live Aid celebrated in Oscar-nominated film Bohemian Rhapsody, commanding a surging sea of fans at the 'G.
The startlingly young crowd - probably not yet born in Eminem's early 2000s heyday - cheered madly as the rapper thundered through a blistering set of hits and memories, projecting like King Kong over imposing video screens. Sound quality occasionally lapsed as it tried to fill the vast space, yet most were blown away by the sheer spectacle the newly-sober rapper brought to the stadium.
Everything about the Eminem Rapture concert was epic in scope and scale.Credit: Jeremy Deputat
With his hooded jumper firmly pulled over his head, Eminem ploughed through a rapid-fire set of 32 tracks from old to new albums, including everything from Slim Shady classic Kill You to the dexterous rapping on more recent hit Rap God.
It's been 20 years since the iconic Slim Shady LP caused a worldwide stir, meaning that Mathers' alter ego is the same age today. "Slim Shady is 20 years old, so that's how come I can act like a motherf---in a--hole," said Mathers as he marched across the stage.
Rap superstar Eminem packed out the MCG on Sunday.Credit: Jeremy Deputat
Mathers was nothing if not well behaved throughout his performance, peppered with the sounds of faux gunshots. Classic tracks such as The Way I Am were tightly performed and finished with fireworks, and the beguiling Skylar Grey joined in as an excellent all-rounder vocalist, nailing the female part on songs such as Stan, Love the Way You Lie and The Monster.
Everything about the concert was epic in scope and scale, with rapper Royce da 5'9" proving a stellar support for Eminem's less competent rapping. "This is the most people I have ever seen in the one place in my f---ing life," Mathers screamed, and no one had any doubt he was telling the truth. This gig was huge.
Thousands of fans leaped to their feet for the finale, Lose Yourself, and everyone did just that.Credit: Jeremy Deputat
Thousands of fans leaped to their feet for the finale, Lose Yourself, and everyone did just that. The song tells of a small town kid who cracks the big time with simple but effective rhymes: it's Mather's real-life story, and it's amazing to see just how far he's come, nailing this spectacular gig, and sending 81,000 into the night totally thrilled.