Two For Three
The Streets, Skofi
A grand don’t come for free presented by Cute Concerts, Arena Wien – Open Air, Austria 20260617
50 years Arena Wien and counting: this week media is all over this anniversary. After books and TV, radio stations feature the venue, and an exhibition at Wien Museum is about to kick off. At the same time, we visit the third Arena Open Air of this season for another album anniversary like with Billy Talent on Monday.
While on Monday it was almost impossible to get any ticket, this evening is a bit easier, as there are even cheaper ones still available. Powered by cute concerts, who started in 2024 and got e.g. Tash Sultana and the regularly ‚introduction nights‘ on their schedule, an awareness team welcomes the guests.
As local support, they booked rapper, multi-instrumentalist, DJ and producer Skofi. She performed at Gürtel Nightwalk, Popfest with Bex or Lido Sounds before. Tonight, she brings her modern dance beats to the big open air stage. On this occasion, Donna Savage joins her as well for a track, and Skofi announces her next album is about to come.
The album to be celebrated tonight is „A Grand Don’t Come for Free“ from 2004 by The Streets. Therefor, rapper Mike Skinner has taken the bus shelter from the record cover and a whole band including backing singer and rapper to perform it in full. The rap opera follows a whole story in the songs like „Could Well Be In“ and „Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way“.
Mike Skinner seats in front or inside the shelter, then writes ‚Gasometer city is very close‘ on the windows. It feels bit like watching a theater, as he is telling the story like DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince or Slick Rick. Of course highlights are the famous „Fit but You Know It“ and „Dry Your Eyes“.
Until the second set, there is not too much moving, but then The Streets bring in the party, still with acoustic guitar. Mike Skinner crowdsurfs to the FOH with beer and obviously has fun among the people. It all ends with „Take Me as I Am“, but The Streets continue their celebration the next day at Posthof Linz.