In the past year, I’ve found myself right in the middle of countless top-tier mosh pits. From Slipknot to Pantera, Knocked Loose to Turnstile— you name it. Yet, the last artist I expected to rock that heavy-hitting lineup was Lil Tecca. But there I was, amidst the electrifying atmosphere of a sold-out MTelus crowd, giving the Queens, NY rapper and his American openers a warm welcome. And can you believe it? This all went down on a Tuesday night.
Following a last-minute cancellation, a DJ, who later revealed himself as Lil Tecca’s tour manager, seized the stage. The already-packed GA section wasted no time igniting the energy. Within minutes, the entire MTelus floor was pulsating to the beats of some modern favourites.
Despite the “We want Tecca” chants during changeovers, the all-ages crowd showed nothing but respect for the remaining openers. Tana and SoFaygo kept the wild energy alive throughout their sets. Amidst the rinse-and-repeat movements of the crowd, a rhythm amidst the chaos gradually emerged, almost as predictable as the accompanying music. A pit opening up to silence, the crowd collectively losing their minds at the first note of the next track, followed by a synchronized bunny hop to a central point as the beat drops— it became the norm. And trust me, it never got any less exhilarating. The chant-along vocals and deep bass served as motivation enough to get even the most sober minds moving.
It was captivating to witness this rhythm unfold repeatedly. Seeing a pit erupt for an explosive chorus kickoff, only to abruptly halt all movement for the remaining 90 seconds of a song. The young crowd was certainly selective in channelling their adrenaline-fueled selves.
Multiple calls from security to step back had been made by this point. Yet, amidst a mix of concern and anticipation, Lil Tecca’s set obliterated all apprehension instantly. With the energy cranked up to 11 and some added visuals to boot, the entire floor transformed into a rocking sea of people, swaying and surging to the night’s soundtrack. Even as Tecca delved into the slower side of his catalogue at times, he never failed to rally the crowd with calls to bounce, open up a pit, and even split the room before a beat dropped.
After an hour-long, high-adrenaline performance, he graciously thanked the crowd as they poured out of MTelus just as quickly as they had filled it. The entire experience epitomized what hip-hop represents in 2024: a platform for young people to let loose with like-minded souls. Despite the clear sonic differences, the performances that night carried the same chaotic energy that initially drew me to punk shows as a teen. Clearly, the love for moshing is alive and well— it’s just migrated to hip-hop gigs now.
Review – Mathieu Perrier
Photos – Nicolas Cantin
