By Fiona McKinson

Shepherds Bush Empire, 11th May 2003, London

The promise of opening acts is standard at concerts. When they are unnamed it can be a pleasant surprise or just an anticlimax designed to draw more attention to the main attraction. On this occasion they represented a third angle - the no show or rather the guise of pumping hits from bass heavy speakers. The crowd were restless as the only movement on stage was delivered by venue support staff, it was only so long that reminiscent tracks could appease.

When the wait was over, we were more than ready for Common, and he was only too happy to invite us into his Electric Circus - the title of his current album. Common the ringmaster was sporting green tracking pants, a green and yellow beret, sneakers which form part of an interesting visit to Covent Garden, and an army print jacket. A man of peace, this was quickly discarded. Common was about to work up a sweat. With the energy of Redman and the vigour of a rock star, he began jumping up and down on the mic, then proceeded to breakdance. I don't remember the circus being this exciting! Common was enticing us beyond the brightly coloured graphics beamed across the stage, beyond the flashing lights.

The electricity in this circus was powered by the rapport Common built up with the crowd. He incited interactivity through chanting and the soul clap and not even the watts that surged around the Shepherds Bush Empire could match the power symbolised by what Common was actually saying. From tracks such as 'Come Close', his current duet with Mary J Blige, to the irresistible 'The Light', 'Time travelling a tribute to Fela', 'Soul Power' or 'Between me, you and liberation', Common had us singing along to his wise words and conscious rhymes. For Common the Electric Circus is about freedom - "For me to be me, and you to be you."

Common certainly led the way. Showing his versatility, he scatted jazz, jammed to reggae, and free styled incorporating lyrics from 50 cents 'Da club', and Missy's 'Work it'. Common was keen on citing his contemporaries, and made tributes to Biggie and a Tribe called quest, and name checked 'the classics' such as his love interest Erykah Badu, as well as Omar, D'angelo, Talib Kweli, and Mos Def. Common, of course is a classic artist himself, and he is also a gentleman, as lucky Estelle from Hackney found out when he invited her on stage and serenaded her. However the real Love of Common's life appears to be Hip Hop. His musicians, most of whom hailed from Philadelphia, aptly showcased Common's diverse style, but it was DJ Dummy who was central to the set. Together they all brought a Hip Hop history lesson to life, and Common's place as both teacher and subject is surely secured if the quality of this performance is anything to go by.

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