By Jase Walker
For the first time in an extremely long time, I’m attending a venue in Manchester I’ve not been to before! It’s only opened somewhat recently anyway but it’s time to see Enter Shikari again with firm favourites of mine, As Everything Unfolds, and Cody Frost who featured on one of Enter Shikari’s new singles, ‘Bull’.
I’ve just walked into the venue and I’m actually gobsmacked by how gorgeous this place is: the lighting in it is bloody incredible! What a spectacular venue for this evening!
A loud drum and bass-esque intro signals the start of Cody Frost‘s set and I’ve been really looking forward to seeing what their live show is about and no better way to experience it on a massive stage like this! I’d only listened to them in passing a while back following the Enter Shikari single but I’m already getting properly stuck into this live show, what a way to get tonight started! Sadly I’ve had to shift from my original spot due to two selfish idiots standing next to me loudly shouting at each other over Cody’s set. With the way Cody is kicking off this show tonight though, all this fierce energy, definitely reassures me that choosing this show over all the others was the right choice.
I’m kicking myself (mentally of course) for not actually properly getting stuck into Cody’s back catalogue but I’ll be fixing that after today! There’s a pretty solid crowd here right from the start and I don’t think I can see a single person who’s not moving along to the music! They’ve come across fantastically well in this set and they’ve gone above and beyond what I could have expected from an opener. It’s pretty clear to see why not only did Enter Shikari collaborate on a song with them, but also had them along for this particular leg of their shows. Bloody fantastic show!
And for the second act now, As Everything Unfolds, now with more purple. My god the sound is actually spot on right from the first note: strong yet balanced, just what I want! I’m genuinely in stunned awe here! Charlie’s vocals are on point as well, those uncleans are properly belting! The set leans much more heavily on the newer singles that are reading up to the newer album as they begin to move away from their debut. Every single riff hits so hard, the layering from the keys are clearly audible and it’s a fantastically strong show, suffice to say this is easily the best I’ve seen As Everything Unfolds so far, they’ve upped the ante so much even from their Download show last year!
Even getting a sneak preview to a new song as well that leans pretty heavily into the synth elements that are a big part of their overall sound. And of course finishing with their massive banger ‘From The Inside’ and I can feel the floor bowing under my feet from the relentless jumping of the crowd around me. As Everything Unfolds should be massively proud of the show they’ve put on tonight, the setlist they’ve chosen is a solid way to bring in the new era while still paying homage to the songs that helped build their fanbase up. I’m so excited to see where they go from here!
Opening up with a light show that pans the audio around with the lighting, this is a pretty damn cool introduction to say the least! Enter Shikari have never been ones to spare a flashy light show! I’m kind of having second thoughts about my spot in the audience as I suddenly find myself dodging elbows amidst the chaos and I’ve already been covered in confetti and a bunch ended up in my mouth! This is legitimately nuts, I’ve already had several drinks spilled on me from every direction but I wouldn’t have it any other way! How did I end up on the edge of FOUR different pits two songs in?
‘The Dreamers Hotel’ keeps the energy going and gets the crowd screaming the chorus nice and loud! I’m genuinely in awe at how much everyone is totally on board with smashing into each other as much as they possibly can with every single song. Crowd surfers across a sea of waving arms that gleefully carry them to the front and I’m caught right in the middle of it. Of course with this particular show, we’re on the build up to a new album with a myriad of singles, so ‘Void Stares Back’ of course is in there and it sounds massive live as well! I’m convinced that with the people here tonight, Enter Shikari legitimately could not play a single wrong song. I’ve been so caught up in the spectacular show I’ve barely had a moment to take proper stock of how incredible the sound is for this show so far as well, the synths, guitars, bass, drums and vocals are so brilliantly balanced that the energy of the show seems almost effortless in how strong it is.
“OHHHH, Enter Shikari” to the tune of ‘Seven Nation Army’ precedes screams when they begin ‘Protect Humanity At All Costs’ ,as the room lights up thanks to the incredibly bright stage production. People barge past me into the ever increasing maelstrom in the centre of the room, feeding the chaos that frequently spills over into the sides of the crowd. ‘(Pls) Set Me On Fire’ triggers the crowd into losing their shit once again after a brief moment to catch their breath, also noticeable how many people know all the words as well, dunno how they do it!
And, as I thought would happen for this show, Cody Frost is called on stage to play ‘Bull’; this is exactly what I was waiting for! Of course no Enter Shikari set would be complete without ‘Sorry You’re Not A Winner’, the triple clap audible from the entire crowd is almost deafening; but wait, it’s not just that: a smash cut to the Pendulum remix!
As a final send off for the encore, Rou returns to the stage with an acoustic to play ‘Stop The Clocks’ albeit with extremely sweaty fingers as he remarks. Finishing with ‘System… / …Meltdown’ and ‘Live Outside’ gives the audience one final time to surge forward and slam into each other in a sea of braced faces and flailing arms, everyone giving their all in one fit of unbridled energy.
Enter Shikari demonstrates a band that has honed their message, their craft and their energy into delivering one of the best live performances that you’ll ever get to see in action. See you guys again at Slam Dunk!
- ‘A Kiss For The Whole World‘ is released on 21 April.
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