Rat Boy races ahead with DIY Class of 2016 party set

The Class of 2016 is here. The brightest, boldest, barmiest bunch in an age are racing into next year, and top of the tree is Rat Boy. Jordan Cardy’s gone from bedroom-based mixtape churner to a bonafide star in the space of twelve months. And on the basis of tonight’s Class Of party at London’s Ace Hotel (sort of like a regular school graduation party, but even more boozy), he’s not wasting time in taking the next step.

On stage, Cardy is always looking for trouble. He’ll career into his bandmates like a pinball, trading chants for skizzing samples like it’s a fool’s game. Blink-and-you-missed-it banger ‘Wasteman’ is schooled in Fatboy Slim-style madness, while go-to anthem ‘Fake ID’ is fast becoming his messed up calling card. Given the speed he approaches everything, it’s hard to keep track of this Essex troubadour. He’ll encompass countless genres, influences and bizarre ideas into one song. He hits a completely new level live, though.

Dodgy lo-fi productions, attention-grabbing art and Twitter antics have given Rat Boy his platform - and it’s completely his own making. Tonight’s gig, arriving after big-deal arena dates with The 1975, is a further showcase of just how far he can go. With 2016 firmly in sight, make no mistake: There’s a fever around this guy and it can’t be stopped.