Live
Chronixx: Brixton Academy, London 28/5/17
I've been going to shows at Brixton Academy for years, and I've never seen queues as long as they were when Chronixx came to town to complete the UK leg of his world tour.
Thousands of fans were already lined up all the way around the venue when doors opened to catch the 24-year-old reggae singer, three hours before he was due to the stage.
His London gigs are always a big deal - reggae fans wax lyrical about the last time he performed in Brixton, and I was lucky enough to see him at Somerset House a couple of summers ago.
Dub master King Jammy provided the soundtrack as the venue rapidly filled up for the Bank Holiday weekend performance, with reggae enthusiasts keen to grab a spot near the front.
The 70-year-old, a former protegee of heavyweight King Tubby, delivered deep grooves and paid an emotional tribute to the recently deceased Frankie Paul in a lengthy set which more than carried the crowd waiting for Chronixx.
It was just shy of midnight when the main man took to the stage to the sound of "Alpha and Omega" from the "Dread and Terrible" EP.
To my mind, this is one of the best reggae tunes of the last 10 years, and it's surprised me when he's opened with it before (this is the third time I've seen him, the second having been at the Parklife Festival last year).
The EP is a collection of uplifting tracks, and "Eternal Fire" followed quickly, the singer's face carved in emotion as he performed.
It can often take years for a reggae artist to build up a following, but despite his youth he has a legion of fans in the capital, with audience members singing along word-for-word.
There was a huge grin on his face as the crowd sang the chorus of "They Don't Know", recorded when he was still a teenager, back do him. They do know, Chronixx.
His forthcoming Chronixxology album is hotly anticipated, and he gave fans a glimpse of what to expect with new tunes "Likes" and "Skanking Sweet".
Both bode well for the record.
The band, Zincface Redemption, were on top form, creating a wall of sound which filled the venue.
The opening bars of "Here Comes Trouble" sent the audience into a frenzy, while the brilliant "Capture Land" and "Smile Jamaica" sent the temperature up a notch.
Chronixx's star is certainly rising, and at a relatively young age, he already has an impressive set of tracks, with much still in store.
A couple of weeks Protoje was onstage in the capital performing collaboration "Who Knows". This time it was Chronixx playing the track, a perfect feelgood party record that had everyone dancing.
There were a number of freestyles as the singer showed his versatility, and he also demonstrated he's an able dancer.
A big future lies in store for Jamar Rolando McNaughton - Chronixx to you and I - and having now seen him three times, I can happily say he's well worth watching.
Words Dave Burke
