Action Bronson

Sauntering out onto the stage like a king to meet his loyal subjects, a spliff equal to his own stout proportions held tightly in his free hand, Queens representative Action Bronson took his time easing into his closing day set at Yonge-Dundas Square. After a few false starts and a swig of the magic fluid contained in his red cup, however, it was full steam ahead by the star-chef-turned-MC, as the cunning wordsmith unleashed an endless flow of vicious lyrical stabs and chuckle-worthy punch lines. Descending the stairs to reach out and touch adoring fans in the front row (a scene that would be repeated throughout the night), Bronson basked in the warmth of the animated Toronto crowd, at one point requesting a few pats on the back not long after grabbing a lucky videographer's camera and granting him an exclusive. Throwback backing tracks laced with classic soul and jazz samples shot from the speakers while the biting lyricist exercised his gravelly flow, before the sound took a turn for the grimy as the show wound down to a swampy, plodding close. In parting, Bronson offered one final display of gracious generosity, however, letting off a long-winding verse a cappella from a seat backstage before thanking the crowd and returning to his unfinished drug of choice, another productive and clearly crowd-pleasing day of work now complete.