On an unusually warm English spring evening, Manchester’s Apollo venue was abuzz with anticipation as the iconic British band Skunk Anansie took to the stage.
Before they appeared on the stage, we had a pleasure to see an artist called ‘So Good’. She presented a very energetic mixture of drill punk rock and hip hop with punchy lyrics with addition of a punk-pop twist that surprised and entertained, warming up the crowd in style. The artist was assisted by a band, all hidden behind pink balaclavas. The dancers put on a show far beyond what you’d expect from a support act.
Skin and her band appeared on stage accompanied by The Subways’ ‘Rock and Roll Queen’, kicking off their set with the heavy-hitting ‘This Means War’. Next, we could hear a base riff of ‘Charlie Big Potato’, the eruption of energy spilled across the whole place, everyone went wild. Skin’s lyrics are often deeply personal and socially conscious, tackling topics like racism, sexism, and personal struggle with a raw honesty that is both powerful and moving. She is arguably the best front women around.
It’s worth to mention that band is releasing a new album ‘Painful truth’ on May 23rd via FLG Records. It is their 7th studio album and first in 9 years. They presented 4 songs from the new album ‘An Artist is an Artist’, ‘Animal’, ‘Cheers’ and ‘Lost and found’, all were really well received by the public. The Apollo was electric, with the audience singing along to every word and dancing in the aisles to the songs like ‘Weak’, ‘secretly’, ‘twisted’ or fans favourite ‘Hedonism’. Songs brought back memories of my youth, pure energy took over and I couldn’t help to join the crowd.
Skin interacted with the audience masterfully, blending intimacy and intensity. Her few minutes long speech before ‘God loves only you’ written 13 years ago about nationalist Christians and how after all these years the subject is still dangerously current. She talked how trans/queer people are still stifled and emigrants and women are still attacked by so called religious, God-fearing, ‘real’ Christians. The speech was really impressive. Well done, Skin!
The Manchester crowd on the night was deeply connected, creating an electrifying atmosphere throughout the set. The last song we heard was a Led Zeppelin cover ‘Whole lotta love’ and ‘The Skank Heads’. Skunk Anansie proved once more that they are one of the best British rock bands and its definitely worth seeing them live. Can’t wait for the new album!
SKUNK ANANSIE
SO GOOD
Photos + Review by Tomas Adam | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!
