[Concert Review] EPIK HIGH ‘All Time High’ Tour

“Something worked over there, and I’m not gonna lie, I kinda liked it.” — A comedic gem from the dynamic leader of the group, Tablo.

Epik High via AXS.

O2 Ritz, Manchester

I haven’t been back to the O2 Ritz since pre-COVID and it was smaller than I remembered. The 1,500 capacity venue was not fully sold out, however, a large crowd had already gathered themselves in prime position when we arrived. The audience was in an excitable but calm mood, quietly chatting away to their group or making new friends with their shared adoration for the band. The room was thick with dry ice, and lights at full beam added to the muted vibe.

Manchester was the first stop on EPIK HIGH’s European and North America tour taking place in the next few months and this stop was one of two dates in the UK. “There will only ever be one first show,” declared Tablo, the leader of the group and the night’s unofficial MC/comedian/narrator for the evening. Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz make up the trio.

The extensive set list contains hits from early albums to tracks from their latest EP release Strawberry. Which coincidentally, is where we start the evening’s entertainment before launching into a 19 song, 90 minutes of pure joy and sustained energy that filled the room and didn’t stop until it was time to leave.

EPIK HIGH in Manchester. Images: @blobyblo Twitter.

I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a crowd that matched the band’s passion, enthusiasm and total commitment to the performance like this one did. The tracks took us on a whistle stop tour of their back catalogue with fan favourites such as “Fly”, “Burj Khalifa”, “No Thanxx”, “Love Love Love”, “Born Hater” and “Rosario”, plus many more.  We jumped when we were told, we were showered with water from bottles and at one point a signed shirt was launched in the crowd, where it could have ended with an unholy scrum, but thankfully it was all very polite.

A highlight for me was a small collaboration section where they performed tracks featuring other artists (“Rain Song” with Colde, “Eyes Nose Lips” with Taeyang and “All Day” with RM).  Before launching into his verse in All Day, Tablo made a heartfelt speech about working with RM and their friendship, where he was grateful and appreciative that they are able to sustain their brotherhood and affection for each other whilst being authentic and sincere in their connection. A sentiment we can all relate to. True and genuine friends are hard to find.

The night ended with a fake last song and then an encore that kept everyone jumping till the very last beat. We danced, we waved and we sang along. “We are jet-lagged and there will be mistakes,” declared Tablo. If there was sir, I certainly didn’t notice and it was a perfect way to launch the tour.

Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.