Rap shows are always a great time. You have the music, the energy, and the excitement all in one place. But when you add Tech N9ne to the mix, it takes it to a whole new level and then multiplies that by 10. His recent performance at Soma in San Diego was outstanding and one of the best complete shows (regardless of genres) I have seen in years. If you get a chance to see Tech N9ne on his 2022 ASIN9NE Tour, don’t miss it—it’s guaranteed to be a show that you won’t forget for a very long time.
I don’t know about you, but I love live music. Whether it be a huge arena show or an intimate warehouse one-off, there is something about raw musical performances that fire me up. Friday’s show at Soma was no different for me, aside from the fact that one of my favorite artists of all time was taking the stage. I’ve had the privilege of covering Tech N9ne many times over the years, and the one thing I can say about his performances are they are consistently solid on all levels. This includes sound quality, show production, and the best-in-class support acts he brings out on tour.
Opening up for Tech N9ne at Soma were three outstanding acts: X-Raided, ¡Mayday!, and Joey Cool. While each set was only 30 minutes in length, fans were not shortchanged by any means as each artist brought their own swagger to the stage in their own special way. Joey Cool’s rhymes were smooth and electrifying, ¡Mayday! (including Bernz, Wrekonize, and NonMS) brought the Miami heat, and X-Raided added a healthy dose of reality to the Strange Music bill. While many opening acts fall flat in anticipation of the main attraction, these cats were collectively on a higher level. I could see each headlining their own shows based on the sheer talent they exhibited on Friday night.
After a brief intermission, it was now time for Tech N9ne. As mentioned earlier, I’ve seen Tech live countless times over the years and with each performance he brings something unique and different to the stage. Friday’s show at Soma was no exception. It was a truly dazzling performance that highlighted why Tech N9ne is considered by many to be one of the greatest artists of our generation—bar none. Some of my favorite tracks were “Einstein,” Caribou Lou,” and “Straight Out the Gate,” while others gravitated towards “Riotmaker,” “Stamina,” and “Face Off.” Regardless, the near 30 song setlist was jam packed with new jams and old classics alike, making for one hell of a show that fans wouldn’t soon forget.
If you missed the show on Friday night, I’m sorry to say that you truly missed out. Not only was Tech N9ne straight fire, but X-Raided, ¡Mayday!, and Joey Cool brought an energy to the stage that San Diego had never seen before. Tech N9ne’s 2022 ASIN9NE Tour is the real deal, so grab some tickets and check it out when it rolls through your town. In the meantime, keep spinning The Vinyl District as your one stop shop for live music reviews, all of your vinyl proclivities, and be sure to follow us for updates on Tech N9ne and other Strange Music artists that may be rolling through your area soon.
X-RAIDED
¡MAYDAY!
JOEY COOL
