HERE at Outernet (London, England)
02/15/23
You’d be hard-pressed to find a casual Enter Shikari fan. They’re adored in their masses by music appreciators from all walks of life. Their iconic signature sound, which blends every corner of alternative music and electronic genres, invites an eclectic and unique (yet large) audience.
Tonight is the first show of their residency tours, split across three months to prepare for the release of their 7th full-length studio album, A Kiss For The Whole World, set for release on April 21st, 2023. It would be standard protocol to assume that the band are using these shows as a last send-off and opportunity to play older material before another project comes into full swing – but the band has never played by the standard rules, and there’s no feeling that these earlier tracks will vanish come April.
Their setlist on this tour celebrates every inch of their career so far, opening with new single “(pls) set me on fire” before plummeting into scene classic “Juggernauts,” released back in 2009 on their album, Common Dreads. The band have made a huge mark in the U.K. alternative scene since their inception, marrying an unorthodox cocktail of sound, making them truly incomparable to any other artist. These shows are like a showcase of what the band does best and in their own way. From the production – with tall strobing lights, synchronized to the tracks – to their praised energetic stage presence as they fly through 18 songs in what feels like a very short performance time.
Throughout the set, it’s clear that each band member is a pivotal pillar in the Shikari textbook, all delivering vocals at given times, and incorporating percussion and electronics with their main instruments to elevate the cacophony of sound. Frontman Rou Reynolds storms around the stage, screaming, rapping and singing his parts, proving how much his voice has matured and improved over the years – particularly in his clean vocals. Drummer Rob Rolfe plays with finesse, boasting his ability to mesh a range of styles in his technique, most notably on the intense drum fills of “Havoc B,” also from their 2009 Common Dreads album.
The room does not stand still for a second, as the band treat their crowd to a lot of older material from 2007’s Take to the Skies, including “Anything Can Happen In the Next Half Hour” straight into “Labyrinth.” It’s a rallying off of songs that most Enter Shikari fans have only dreamt off, and it’s clear that the band are still appreciative and proud of their whole discography. Tonight also sees the return of a staple in the Enter Shikari set: their quick fire round. This time, they mash up recent single “Bull” featuring Cody Frost with a cover of The Mindsweep’s “The Last Garrison,” leaving no room to catch breath for the crowd.
A few times during the evening, Rou references the “new era” of Enter Shikari with excitement. With this band, however, what does that mean? They’re unpredictable, transcendent of their scene and completely rare. If you could bet on predictions for whatever’s next, you’d likely be out of pocket. This, though, is the beauty and allure of them as a band. Their live shows testify to why they cause so much commotion and disruption in such an enticing way. If this is just the start of Enter Shikari’s residency shows, the next two rounds will be something for all to witness.
