Everyone knows about iTunes and everyone knows about the iTunes Festival (last year we witnessed Calvin Harris, Friendly Fires, Mr Hudson, La Roux and Oasis strut their stuff for Apple’s month-long fest). So it would come as no surprise that we were in blag mode trying to get as many tickets as possible for N-Dubz’s Camden homecoming, which was backed up by heavy support from Example… words by Danny Walker. Pictures by Annique Delphine…

Camden’s historic Roundhouse is one of our favourite venues for many reasons. One the sound is sweet and two – this one is mainly for me – it takes about seven minutes to get home. Saying that though my proximity left me with no excuse for being late (mainly due to parking issues) so imagine my surprise when Example was already a couple of songs into an impressive set. See The Sea – taken from his latest album Won’t Go Quietly – worked its way around the venue and Example stressed to the active audience that they should go wild as this was being “streamed live”. Moments later the 14+ audience went wild again as popular singles Watch The Sun Come Up, Won’t Go Quietly and Kickstarts sent them bouncing.

My view (taken by me)…

The set ended with E saying, “My name is Example, and if you can’t hear me…” and at that point he pointed at the massive logo below his DJ’s (DJ Wire) booth, before going into the last track. “You’ll like this one…,” he blurted. “You look like hooligans… Try and kill each other but with no bloodshed.” The superb soundsystem coped with the epic bass from Hooligans and with that Example’s sick set was complete.

A quick jog to the bar – coke and crisps – and on my return the setting for the N-Dubz stage was being arranged, with bright red sofa and everything. Soon their drummer Breakbeat was counting them in and a video of the group’s impressive achievements were being shown. Despite not seeing the RWD covers they were on the crowd – which seemed to have got younger since Example left – were soon singing along to I Need You and excitement filled up the venue. “Who watches our show on Channel 4!??!” a grey and blue-clad Dappy bellowed, whilst Fazer and Tulisa perched at his side. The next moments we were treated to their Radio 1 Live Lounge cover of The Scripts’ The Man Who Can’t Be Moved as Tulisa described herself being a “broken hearted girl,” before belting out crowd-favourite Strong Again. This was great start to their iTunes Festival as they went into their first of many costume changes.

During this interlude, Breakbeat went ballistic on the drums whilst staff replaced the sofa with a full-size double bed. On Dappy, Tulisa and Fazer’s return, we first noticed bling covered adidas tracksuits, as they went straight into “Shaniqua and what?” featuring Ouch. This coincided with a FULL scale pillow fight. Although funny, this dragged a little, but the dedicated N-Dublettes seem to enjoy it. Other moments of excitement involved Say It’s Over, their mash-up of Say Sean’s Down vs. BEP’s Meet Me Halfway and Gary Barlow penned No One Knows – in which they were dressed in military clobber.

After being joined by Fearless on Duko Man Skit and Skepta – who got a massive response – on Na Na Remix, Fazer jumped on the keyboard and proved exactly what he does in the crew. His fingers effortlessly keyed the intro to one of the best tracks of the night Number 1 and then after a heartfelt rendition of Papa Can You Hear Me, it was left to Playing With Fire to end the night with a bang. I’m not sure how N-Dubz can still be underrated live as they once again proved they can put on a creative and musically-rich performance.

A good night was had by all… apart from the squabble of about 10 crazy kids who caught Dappy’s audience offering (an official hat) and argued over it for about 10 minutes, only for the security guard to confiscate it so they ALL lost out. Hilarious.

Tags: Example, Fearless, iTunes Festival, N-Dubz, Online Review, Skepta