Live at The Powerstation
6 March 2025
Live Review by Music Journalist: Paul Marshall
Swizl Jager Ignites The Powerstation: High-Energy Hip-Hop and Unstoppable Swagger
Swizl Jager’s opening live set at The Powerstation wasn’t just a gig—it was a statement. A thunderous, unapologetic declaration that New Zealand hip-hop isn’t just holding its own; it’s charging forward like a runaway freight train.
From the moment Jager stepped onto the stage, clad in his signature streetwear—oversized tee, cap tilted just right—he radiated the kind of effortless charisma only true mic-masters possess.
He wasn’t just rapping; he was commanding. His stage presence was electric, switching seamlessly between sharp-witted crowd banter and razor-sharp verses, delivered in both te reo Māori and English. At one point, he laid it out bluntly:
"If you have a native language, whatever you know, speak it. If they don’t understand—fuck ‘em. Just like tonight, I’m gonna rap in my language, and if you don’t understand and you don’t vibe with it—fuck you. If you do, I love you."
That’s Swizl Jager. Unfiltered. Unapologetic. And absolutely captivating.
His flow sliced through the beats like a samurai sword—sharp, relentless, and precise. But more than just technical skill, he brought a raw energy that gripped the room. By the time his set wrapped, there was no doubt: he had done his job as an opener—heating up the crowd, commanding the stage, and setting the tone for a night that promised nothing less than chaos and brilliance.
Reviewer: Paul Marshall
Photography by Paul Marshall
WATCH THE LIVE VIDEO at Paul Was There -