Skindred, Manchester Academy, 22/04/18
Fusing the multi-composite of punk rock, metal, hip hop and reggae, Newport natives Skindred brought their unique amalgamation to Manchester after over 2 years away with the “Start The Machine” tour in promotion of their upcoming album, Big Tings.
Firstly, however, it was the turn of Canadian rock trio Danko Jones to open the show. With a James Hetfield-esque growl to the words he spoke, lead singer Danko Jones emphasised the ballads he played by narrating over the intro and the build-up with a certain swagger. Resemblant of Royal Republic, their comedic and laid back attitude made it quick and easy to get into their material.
Next up, and representing a different tone, were American hard rock band CKY, aka Camp Kill Yourself. Their punky influences manifest in their style, attitude and lyrics- with the political messages behind the material from the album Infiltrate Destroy Rebuild being a prime example. This was their next Manchester date after their sold-out show at Rebellion last year which notably sold out in 6 hours. The demand was evidently still there tonight with “CKY” chanted before, during and after their set by large portions of the audience. After performing a huge guitar solo from one of their newer singles, Head For A Breakdown, the band ended by addressing the audience, “see you at Download.”
For anyone familiar with Skindred, you know that seeing them live is more of an event than a show. Benji Webbe’s stage presence almost holds you hostage, forcing you to have fun. With a Union Jack draped over his mic, he orchestrates the concert with his ability to control what the audience do, and he isn’t afraid to call anything out that doesn’t go how he wants- often with “ya bastards” attached to the end of it. Through all the comedic anecdotes and comments fitted both inside and around their material, there was an underlying narrative he wanted to push. “My concerts are a celebration of multiculturalism…as the prophet John Lennon once said, love is all you need.”
Opening with the self titled track off their new album, Big Tings, Skindred began with an impressive light show which aligned with the beats of the song. Their upcoming album, released on the 27th of this month, already boasts 3 impressive pre-released singles. Fierce anthem Machine made an impressive Mancunian debut with its pacey energy and aggressive delivery, whereas That’s My Jam had the audience split in two with either side designated a line to say (“woop woop”/”that’s my jam”) corresponding to which side Benji pointed to.
The crowd interaction didn’t stop there either, with the audience jumping in with any other vocal inclusion they can, singing the backing vocals of Pressure before the song broke down naturally into AC/DC’s Back In Black, thereafter returning back into the aforementioned Pressure. This type of track discombobulation is commonplace in a Skindred live experience, with tracks from The Prodigy and Metallica also interluding through their set. It’s effect is used to create a more informal party atmosphere- and it works.
After playing Roots Rock Riot- a commemorative 10 year celebration for the album of the same name, people already began taking off items of clothing and started to spin them above their heads. “Back when we were playing download” Benji explained whilst guitarist Mikey Demus rhythmically plucked at the chords for Warning, “the organiser told us we couldn’t do any ‘wall of deaths’ so we said ‘okay, that’s fine’ and instead we told people to take off their shirts and wave them over their heads.” And that quickly became adopted as the ‘Newport helicopter’. Featured during the pinnacle of the song, the crowd were ordered to keep still, only then to be counted down alongside the metal-infused drop before the chorus. A destructive and aesthetic climax to an experience that you could only have with Skindred.
