Just being back in front of a live audience is thrill enough for Matt ‘Suffa’ Lambert of Hilltop Hoods. We talk to the rapper on the eve of Hilltop Hoods’ Christchurch gig.

Tell us about last year’s sold-out Australian arena tour.

The ‘Show Business’ tour was amazing. It felt like the first time that we’d been properly back on the road since the start of the pandemic. So honestly, that was probably the highlight. Don’t get me wrong, the shows were amazing, but that feeling of returning to live music was huge for me. Also, we took along A.B. Original and Elsy Wameyo for the ride and they crushed it. That was great to watch.

And you’ve just completed your biggest UK/Europe tour. How was that?

The UK and Europe were amazing. Some of the biggest shows that we’ve ever done over there. It was crazy going into their summer and seeing how the festivals are popping off over there again. We actually played this huge reggae festival in Cologne called Summer Jam, which was a highlight. So I guess we’re Australia’s biggest reggae band now!

You are now heading to New Zealand on tour. Anything in particular you are looking forward to?

We actually were able to play at Coronet Peak last year, but yeah, we didn’t get to do a full tour. We’re just looking forward to getting back to New Zealand because in a lot of ways, it feels like a second home. The countryside is beautiful, the crowds are amazing, and of course, Queenstown is the home of the Fergburger.

What can you tell us about the set list?

It’s a mix of tracks new and old. We’ve sort of been refining it over the last year or so. So New Zealand audiences get to benefit from that, haha. They didn’t have to watch us work out the kinks.

What is one thing you hope audiences take away from your performances?

I guess I hope that they feel like they got their money’s worth. We pride ourselves on our live show. The biggest compliment an audience member can give us is coming back. For the first time we’re bringing our full show to New Zealand – horns, lighting, AV. So even if you’ve seen a Hilltop Hoods show before, hopefully audiences feel like this tour is bigger and better.

Anything on the cards for when you’re in Christchurch? Or the South Island?

Unfortunately, we’ve only got one night in Christchurch. We’re heading straight to Queenstown to meet our families there. We’ll definitely be getting some snowboarding in while down there.

Are you packing your winter woollies for Queenstown’s Snow Machine festival?

The funny thing is that our show is so physical that in the snow, we still play in shorts. Last time we played at Coronet Peak, we played in shorts and came off sweating like pigs, haha.

How healthy is Australia’s hip-hop scene in a market dominated by traditional pub rock?

Hip-hop is huge in Australia right now. I think that it’s fair to say that pub rock has taken a back seat (at least for now) to hip-hop, electronic and indie pop. There’s more hip-hop artists in Australia right now than there’s ever been. That’s partly because hip-hop’s so accessible to the average person but it’s also because it’s becoming such a popular genre in Aus.

You have Tāmaki Makaurau-based rapper Freddy Reynold as support – how did that come about?

He’s making a name for himself and that cut through. I’m really looking forward to seeing him perform. ‘Silver, Green and Gold’ is my joint at the moment.

Who would be your dream collab?

It would probably be with one of the New York producers that we grew up on – Premier, Easy Mo Bee, Hank Shocklee…

Ngaio Marsh Theatre, Sun 3 Sep

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