Ice Cube - Live in Concert 2025

After causing fear in the eyes of fans appearing live on national TV stranded in a hotel on the vicarious Gold Coast during Cyclone Alfred, Hip Hop Royalty Ice Cube escaped the eye of the storm to touch down in Sydney ahead of his sold-out show at Sydney’s ICC on Friday March 7th. Just two short years since his Australia/New Zealand tour with Cypress Hill in 2023, Cube has brought a different experience down under in 2025 to an all-ages event, bringing an intimacy to both Sydney and Melbourne Shows that crosses generations, whilst still ushering in with that “Gangsta Shit!”

B Wise opened the night on the glorious stage of the ICC, with a plethora of fans in both the standing area and some seated patrons who could not keep from standing. Set in his home city, the Nigerian/Australian rapper brought the party to the centre of Sydney as he warmed the platform for the main show.

Bringing an extensive back catalogue to a stage set fit for the King that he is, Ice Cube appeared on top of a giant staircase, set amongst immersive screens that told a storybook as he moved through a nostalgic setlist. Playing a comprehensive and carefully curated compilation to an eager audience, which included features from Amerikkas Most Wanted, the Friday Soundtrack and taking us all the way back to N.W.A’s Straight Outta Compton. There is no denying that Cube was a major influencer as a political rap pioneer from the late 1980’s which shaped not only the West Coast Hip Hop scene, and ultimately the world. What is interesting is the generations that his raps have traversed and the universal themes that still find relevancy, if not more power today and delivered with a humour that only Ice Cube can play with.

Thank you to Ice Cube, Live Nation Australia, RPM PR and the ICC for having us along.

Photo Gallery https://musicfestivalsaustralia.com/event-photos/icecube25gallery

Review by Pieta Clarke