Written by Cristina Allen | Photography by Philip Litevsky

Editor’s note: Clipse were on tour promoting their new Playcloths clothing line, and I snapped a bunch of pics at their Livestock meet-n-greet, which can be seen here. They are a great bunch of guys and were very cooperative for the camera. The show later that night at Jerca Circa was the most frustrating experience I’ve ever had taking concert pics. Circa management did not honour my media pass; I, along with other photographers and a videographer hired by Clipse’s manager, were not allowed to shoot from an appropriate vantage point; the bouncers were extremely rude, and the whole isolating, cold mega-club atmosphere really distracted from what otherwise was a great show. I really hope this was the last show I shoot there.

It sounds conflicting to say that Clipse were the best part of a Clipse show, but frankly, the performers alone are not enough to make for a good show in my books. Aside from the handful of great tracks (Mr. Me Too, Wamp Wamp, Mamma I’m So Sorry, and Keys Open Doors) that Clipse performed, alongside bringing up Ab-Liva for Ride Around Shining and a few others, the show was atrocious (except for the great light show).

After having a terrible time dealing with Circa previously, I tried to keep an open mind up to the show. After all, it is the new “super club” in Toronto. With that as its title, one would imagine that charging an average of $25 to get into the club itself is a steal, with bars in the bathroom, three floors, a gigantic Munny, and live mannequins, right? Except the club failed to dish out a bit of cash for a decent sound system and sound guy. Probably one of the more important parts of having a club, I would think. Maybe they were just banking on everyone getting wasted and not noticing now bad it really was. Especially for a show like Clipse, a bass beat that didn’t come out making me feel like I’m too old for this shit, would have been appreciated. Save that shitty bass for when I’m 70 and it sounds that way because my eardrums are busted from reviewing too many hip hop shows.

Not only was the sound horrible, but the staff was absolutely awful; they were completely incapable of organizing themselves, let alone the crowd coming in. Topping it off with dealing with the result of their inabilities like a bunch of assholes.

Needless to say, as good of a performance that Clipse put on, my overall experience at Circa stuck with me a lot more and unfortunately outweighed any greatness that Clipse provided. So what it comes down to it, the show was, well, a shit-show.