UK rapper Dave announces North American 'Psychodrama' tour
[Dave’s single “Black” is] a complex, intelligent examination of racial identity that puzzles at the blanket use of the word “black” to describe a multitude of different ethnicities, that rails against institutionalised racism and cultural appropriation but doesn’t shy away from pointing out failings within the rapper’s own community. To judge by Annie Mac’s response, there has been a hint of “actually, all lives matter” about the criticism the track engendered. “If you are genuinely offended by a man talking about the colour of his skin and how it’s shaped his identity,” she said, “then that is a problem for you.”
It’s baffling and depressing: an artist who genuinely has something to say being shouted down for saying it. But, if nothing else, the fact that Dave chose to trail his long-awaited debut album with a single like Black tells you a lot about the album itself. His path to success has been the standard one followed by British rappers in recent years: exposure on SBTV and Radio 1Xtra, self-released singles and EPs, the inevitable co-sign from Drake. But, despite its guest appearances from J Hus, Burna Boy and Ruelle, Psychodrama is an album that seems intent on setting a degree of distance between Dave and his peers. It’s structured as a kind of concept album, with songs linked by spoken-word sections ostensibly featuring the rapper’s psychotherapist. Its centrepiece, Lesley, isn’t a previous hit – the string of singles that preceded Black are noticeable by their absence – but an 11-minute track that depicts an abusive relationship and its shattering fallout in harrowing detail. [The Guardian]
UK rapper Dave debuted at #1 in the UK with his debut album Psychodrama (that’s a quote from The Guardian‘s review of the album above), and he’s been on the rise outside of his home country too. It’s easy to see why — Psychodrama is one of the most powerful, incisive rap records to come out on either side of the Atlantic this year. if you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend checking it out. You can stream it, and watch the videos for “Black” and “Streatham,” below.
Dave was recently in North America, and he just announced today that he’ll return in the fall, playing some larger venues than last time. He returns to NYC on November 12 at Bowery Ballroom. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (5/17) at 10 AM with presales beforehand. All dates are listed below.
Dave — 2019 Tour Dates
7/18 – Sydney, Australia @ Enmore Theatre
7/19 – Byron Bay, Australia @ Splendour in the Grass (SOLD OUT)
7/20 – Melbourne, Australia @ Croxton Bandroom (SOLD OUT)
10/15 – Hamburg, Germany @ Turmzimmer
10/17 – Cologne, Germany @ Club Bahnhof Ehrenfeld
10/18 – Berlin, Germany @ Lido
10/19 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Klubben
10/21 – Oslo, Norway @ Parkteatret
10/22 – Helsinki, Finland @ Kuddes Linja
10/24 – Paris, France @ Le Trabendo
10/25 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Vega
10/26 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg (SOLD OUT)
11/12 – New York, NY @ The Bowery Ballroom
11/14 -Toronto, ON @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre
11/15 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern
11/16 – Cambridge, MA @ Sonia’s
11/17 – Washington, DC @ Union Stage
11/21 – West Hollywood, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
11/22 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop
11/23 – Vancouver, BC @ Fortune Sound Club
