Here’s What Went Down at the Sainté x New Balance Event in Sydney
The UK rapper took a pitstop amid the Down Under leg of his Still Locals tour to link with fans at an intimate event in Sydney.
Last week, around 60 Sainté fans gathered at a restaurant in Camperdown, Sydney, for an intimate meet-and-greet hosted by New Balance and JD Sports.
The “Champagne Shots” rapper was in Australia for his Still Local tour, which took him across the country for shows in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.
Image via JD Sports
After arriving at Derrel’s Restaurant at 6:30 pm, a “caff”-inspired restaurant serving British-Indian cuisine, Sainté engaged in a thoughtful one-on-one conversation with Kenfo from Sydney streetwear brand Yuth. They discussed his musical influences, the growing connection between the UK and Australian hip-hop scenes, and his partnership with New Balance and JD Sports.
While the rapper had only been in Australia for two days, he had only positive things to say about his time there. Speaking of his Sydney show, the Leceister rapper said, “Yeah, it was crazy. I was on stage, and the show was going so well, and I was like, ‘This is insane—I’m so far from home, but I don’t feel that far.’
Image via JD Sports
Image via JD Sports
“I feel like being here, I’ve seen the similarities the [UK and Australia] have.
“Obviously it’s different, but like in terms of the people's vibes, and even some of the lingo… it feels like I’m not far. I don’t feel like I’m performing to unfamiliar people, and I love that because you don’t get that everywhere.”
Speaking of the event Sainté said, “I wanted to do something wholesome in Australia, and JD was so quick to be like ‘Let’s do something with the locals.’
“For me, it’s more about going somewhere and connecting with the people, as opposed to just taking pictures with the fans.”
Image via JD Sports
Image via JD Sports
The interview with Kenfo was followed by an audience giveaway, with fans given the opportunity to win double passes to the Sainté show in Sydney and JD gift vouchers.
Event attendees were also given bespoke New Balance x Derrell Restaurant tees, and Sainté spent a generous amount of time with his fans, taking photos and gifting them signed copies of his Still Local record.
In a special moment, Sainté also surprised fans with a short and sweet live set, performing hits “Champagne Shots,” “Round & Round, and “Stylin.’”
The rapper also spoke to Complex Australia, offering his thoughts on the hip-hop scenes in Australia and New Zealand.
Image via JD Sports
“The talent in Australia and New Zealand is crazy. I’m meeting new artists, local talent from here, and I feel like that’s also a big highlight for me as well—getting to hear about their creative process and their motion and their perspectives.”
When asked about Australian artists breaking into international markets, Sainté expressed optimism, drawing on the UK scene’s history: “The UK scene didn’t take off overnight; it took time and certain rappers to break through and reach a global audience.“You guys are just waiting on that daredevil artist to come up out of here. Once you guys get the motion, it’s going to be crazy.”
Image via JD Sports
He also praised local artist LEE, who opened for him at one of his Sydney shows. “I met LEE last night—he has so much potential.”
When Complex AU asked if he had a message for Australian artists, Sainté said, “It’s cool to be unique. Being different is the new flex. It’s always been the flex.
“If people aren’t supportive from the start, you shouldn’t let that determine what you do when you’re trying to do your thing.
“You use that to prove a point. I always think it’s cool when someone doubts something initially and then comes to like something; it’s not always about being liked from the start.”