Featured image and gallery: Ameena Ceesay
Skindred have established themselves as icons in the UK metal scene, with appearances at Slam Dunk and Bloodstock festivals under their belt. Their notoriety has recently extended toward younger generations around the world through TikTok and tonight, they make their return to Manchester to awaken something feral in the horde.
As Everything Unfolds kick off the run of supporting acts. “Let’s get fucking moving!” – the crowd obeys. Straight out of the gate the band brings beautiful vocals and a dynamic presence. Dubious looking projectors placed among the instruments reveal themselves to be strobe lights, used to great effect.
Nu metal legends P.O.D. follow suit. Since forming in the early 90s, they’ve risen to prominence, particularly with their acclaimed 2001 album Satellite. While it may prove a challenge to match the energy of the previous act, all doubt immediately dissolves. It’s clear that the crowd are more familiar with this act, and are catered to with classics such as ‘Youth of the Nation’ and ‘Alive.’
As if the atmosphere couldn’t get any hotter (both figuratively and literally), the curtain drops and a remix of the Imperial March acts as a call to arms for Skindred’s arrival, launching into opener, ‘Set Fazers.’
The blend of their discography and unconventional snippets reflects the structure of the rest of the set. ‘Pressure’ features a mid-track snippet of AC/DC’s ‘Back in Black’, while an interlude of Nelly’s ‘Hot In Herre’ beautifully segues into ‘That’s My Jam.’ At one point, vocalist Benji Webbe breaks out a mini keyboard, performing Van Halen’s ‘Jump’ before freestyling over House Of Pain’s ‘Jump Around’.
“Flash your lights and watch the world burn,” the opening lyric to ‘World’s On Fire’ echoes out, serving as an invitation for phones to light up and for fans to prepare for the incoming mosh. It is surprisingly less flamboyant compared to the other performances, it merely exists to let the crowd have the floor to dance and sing along.
‘L.O.V.E (Smile Please)’, taken from new album Smile, sees the venue littered with inflatable balls during the chorus. The evening also includes costume changes, call-and-response harmonising and Webbe remarking on their previous Manchester conquests during their 23 years as a band, just one of many story-time moments.
The crowd are given a welcome chance to cool down, as they’re encouraged to just listen, for an acoustic rendition of ‘Life That’s Free’ from the latest album.
A drum solo later and the insanity re-commences with an EDM remix of the now viral hit ‘Nobody’. Skindred close with an encore of ‘Warning’ where attendees strip off their shirts and helicopter along to end the night.
A Skindred live show strikes the perfect balance; spontaneous, but stable enough to keep the crowd hanging on every word, strum and bang. With a positively received headline show in Wembley just behind them, they’re clearly operating at their best right now.
Featured image: WendyWei.pexels With the most anticipated night of the year right around the corner, the big question is looming: where are you going to celebrate it? Whether you dread it or count down the days, are new to the Manchester nightlife scene or are a regular, we’ve got your New Year’s Eve plans sorted….
By Georgia Robinson Featured image and gallery: Ruby Sharp Get one step ahead of your 2025 aesthetic and plan your outfits for the new year with this guide to all the trends we expect to see next year. Why not jazz up your wardrobe with trending accessories or browse Depop and Vinted for a pre-loved…
Featured image and gallery: Kaitlyn Brockley The rumble of trains passing through Piccadilly station, the hollers of touts (“tickets, buy or sell?”) and security (“have your IDs ready”), and the excitable chatter of gig-goers all audibly backdrop the outskirts of Manchester’s Mayfield Depot this dark, damp evening. Leaving the outside chill and travelling along the…
Featured image and gallery: Leo Woollison Crook Angela Cheveau and Kate Carne were crowned winners of the 2024 QuietManDave Prize on Friday. The short-form writing prize is held biennially to honour the memory of the much-loved and well-known Manchester writer and critic Dave Murray, who passed away in 2019. The writers were each awarded £1000…
Leave a reply