Live Review: Central Cee Can’t Rush Greatness in Perth Australia
2nd July 2025, RAC Arena Perth, Western Australia
Review by Sheldon Ang and Krystal Galloway
Photography by Sheldon Ang Photography
Perth has the honour of hosting the final stop of the Central Cee’s Can’t Rush Greatness tour, a showcase of artistry spanning thirty-nine cities across Europe, North America, New Zealand, and Australia.
Even with the rain pouring on a cold winter’s night, the ladies are dressed to turn heads, flaunting what their mamas gave them. To match the night’s vibe, the lads dress to impress the ladies, in their designer puffer jackets, fresh kicks, and enough cologne to set off the arena’s smoke alarms.
Real name Oakley Neil Caeser-Su, the 27-year-old British rapper and songwriter – also known as Cench, is one of the most prominent figures in UK rap, known for blending drill, trap, and pop rap styles. After all, the debut rose to the top of the UK charts and slipped into the Billboard 200 Top 10 – the first for UK rap.
At ten past the hour, darkness sweeps, and smoke engulfs the stage for the last time of the “Can’t Rush Greatness” tour. The crowd dives into a maniacal mode as Central Cee storms onto the stage looking like the moment, dressed in white and pink TN’s, a matching white, black and pink tracksuit, a blinged-out black cap, and his signature Queen Elizabeth II rose gold and diamond necklace that shimmers under the lights. A black glove on his left hand adds to the statement. Proudly repping where he comes from, there is something powerful about watching a UK artist close his tour on the other side of the world, knowing he hasn’t lost touch with his roots while becoming a global force.
The show opens with a slick car scene. From there, it is straight to fire; flame throwers, fireworks, and lighting that is nothing short of cinematic. Every drop, every beat, every verse is timed perfectly with a visual show that draws the fans into a hypnotic drench. The lighting design deserves a shout out.
With that, the first set, “Can’t,” has begun. The fans dive into “Limitless” to spark the night. His flow is sharp yet introspective. There is so much punch in his delivery; the rawness highlights the lyrics themselves.
As expected from a rapper, Central Cee moves side to side across the stage, often engaging with the fans as the screams evolve. The stage itself is a standout. Split into two parts, with a main front section and a raised square platform halfway down the GA floor. Mobile lights flood the RAC Arena, like night creatures spying on the center stage that kept lighting up thanks to the pyros of fireballs. He continues with “5 Star” and “Day in the Life.” Despite the lightning-quick pace, fans are miming the words, including a boy who couldn’t be more than seven years of age, among a crowd of mainly Generation Z and Millennials.
One third through the set means we are in the “Rush” chapter, kicking off with “Loading,” the seminal track that launched him into the spotlight. His live performance is smooth, and he’s about to load himself into richness and make a bold statement that he has arrived on the world stage. Then comes the metaphor; mid-set, a bridge drops from the ceiling and connects both parts, letting Cench cross over the crowd like a boss. Fans swarm both sides, screaming as he moves across, still rapping every word without missing a beat. The British artist went onto the bridge across the sea of fans while the fireballs spew into the air.
Once again, the phones lit across the floor, revealing the canopy of heads below the bridge of mainly the Generation Z demographic. “GBP” is a fan favorite as fans mime the words, “If it weren’t the UK, would’ve had an AK-47 with a hundred rounds.” The collaboration across the Atlantic with 21 Savage shows the contrast in environment. And there are more metaphors, this time on power, value, and survival in tracks such as “BGP.” There’s so much flex in his performance, through the mix of identity, ambition, and fame. At one point, he takes a fan in the crowd and holds it up to film a TikTok while the footage plays live on the stage screens, sending fans into a frenzy.
Then the sounds of familiarity in “Let Go” from the sounds of Passenger’s “Let Her Go” are sampled. And just like that, the mood changes into heartbreak, regret, and vulnerability territory. By now, Central Cee is in the middle of the floor, on B Stage. Mobile phones are marauding the artist, capturing the essence in hope the video will go viral on TikTok.
And with that, the fans hear the familiar introduction of the hit that was made for TikTok. At just over 90 seconds, “Doja” is a mic drop moment, sparking the final chapter of the setlist – as you guessed it – Greatness. The staccato is neck-jerking, hypnotising fans into a head-bopping chant. The duality of seriousness and rhetorical wit is epic, with lyrical vulnerability but propagated with a blitzkrieg march. The sample from “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” by Eve & Gwen Stefani adds to the nostalgic layer for Generation X. “Must Be” is chanted through the voices of thousands before closing the night with “No Introduction.”
“This is the last one,” he says. “Three months on tour. Thank you.”
There is a softness in those few words that cuts through the hype. Beyond the stats, the hits, and the streaming numbers, he carries his UK identity with pride. To see an artist break into the global scene, gain mad love from America, and still wear his home like a badge of honour. It hits different. He brings that pride to Perth.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Revolutions Per Minute, Live Nation Australia
About the Photographer/Co Writer: The founder of Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) has been accredited to more than 180 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Backstreet Boys, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK etc with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem and Tina Arena on social media. He has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS) and of course Tommy Buoy of Yachtley Crew plus over 70 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
About Co-Writer: Krystal Galloway lives and breathes music, finding her happy place in the sea of fans who come together to experience the magic of live performances. After attending her first concert—Justin Timberlake—her enthusiasm turned into a lifelong hobby. She has since seen over 100 of her favorite acts, including global superstars like KISS, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Blink 182, Usher, Nelly, Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, along with Australian favorites like The Screaming Jets, The Angels, Birds of Tokyo, Cold Chisel, and Bliss & Eso—just to name a few—all in her home city of Western Australia. With this extensive concert experience, Krystal has developed a deep appreciation for the artistry behind live performances, gaining a unique perspective on the dedication and energy that goes into every show.
