More about: Skunk Anansie

On Friday we headed to Brixton’s O2 Academy to catch the first show off Skunk Anansie’s ‘Celebrating 25 Years’ tour. Postponed for two years because of the pandemic, Friday night’s show saw the group celebrate 27 years, with a roaring crowd.

Opening with Prodigy-inspired waves of drum and bass, strutting on stage is OG band member Robbie Stance – there since the very beginning – Stance’s relationship with the band is unbreakable. As the crowd boisterously screams at Stance’s appearance and eagerly await the appearance of the remaining band members, appearing in her true idiosyncratic style, Skin waltzes onto the stage in a flawless peach-shaded suit and what appears to be a humongous spikey headpiece. Giving complete runway fashion, Skin has arrived at the O2 Brixton academy. I don’t think a single one of us was ready for the pure show of amazing vocals, electrifying lights, and militant drums that were to come.

Opening with their ’96 single, ‘Yes, it’s Fucking Political,’ taken off their second studio album ‘Stoosh’, - and dedicating it to the never-ending doom pit of our governing and police system remains in -   Skunk Anansie take the O2 academy by storm as fans throw themselves and their voices into the air for this opening number.

Thrashing into, ‘And Here I stand,’ Skunk have fans melting as they introduce the show with two of the biggest hits off their first two albums. Waving her spider-infested microphone stand in the air as she concludes this track, all I can say is goosebumps are filling my arms, as this is the feeling of the music industry back in full swing. It’s so empowering to see live music reform its shape after two of the most harrowing years, and to kickstart my first major concert of the year with a Skunk Anansie show was surreal to say the least.

“This next song is all about fucking,” says Skin, shortly followed by a hard bass riff and into, ‘I Can Dream.’ The music is booming through Brixton academy, Martin Kent is absolutely shredding it on guitar, the stage lights are illuminating, and the crowd are all living it up as they aggressively try to synchronise their oddly timed clapping at the end of this track.

Grabbing her acoustic guitar, Skin affectionately announces to the crowd, “it’s great to be back Brixton.” Having worked at the academy at the ripe age of 18 years old, Skin expresses, “I used to be so shit because I’d let everyone in.” Stood without her headpiece, and a stage light now beaming on her, Skin breaks into the one and only, ‘Weak.’ Her vocals are enchanting and completely raw, you’ve never heard a track sound so good outside its studio record. And whilst the sound in the venue is slightly buzzing due to the sheer volume that’s booming out of all the instruments, Skin has all of us completely and utterly besotted by her stardom.

Rolling into acclaimed, ‘Twisted (Everyday Hurts), it’s quite literally banger after banger at this point, the crowd hasn’t stopped screaming from the moment the group stepped onto the stage. My ears are ringing because it’s been nine months since I last needed a set of earbuds for a concert with a capacity this big. The show is insane, the energy is immaculate, a great start to a mammoth string of tour dates.

Across 2022 the group has dropped two new singles, including ‘Piggy,’ and ‘Can’t Take You Anywhere.’ Premiering, ‘Can’t Take You Anywhere,’ the entire stage is lit with doom red lights and Skunk are embracing pure glam rock realness across this one.

“Thank You Brixton,” shouts Skin. “This next song is about being different - embracing your own religious beliefs.” The lights dim to a warm orangey-yellow as the band move into the sombre ‘God Loves You.’

On a roll with their classic nonchalant bops, ‘Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)’ is up next and we’re all swaying in awe. If there’s one thing this gig shown me, is that Skunk know how to put on a show, and Skin is just effortlessly captivating on stage. Skunk are such a renowned part of the rock community’s history. Being one of the few black female-led punk bands to surface this level of fame and respect within the rock industry is hard enough. Seeing them live, you could really see just how much of a monumental attribute to the rock community they are. Skin is a noteworthy role model for every alternative black girl who has ever stepped foot in the rock industry. She is a superstar, her vocal, her energy. The rock industry is very fortunate to have this band. 

“I swear this is gonna be my favourite gig on this tour,” Skin says, before wrapping up the show with the explosive new song, ‘Piggy.’ Followed by emotionally captivating ‘Weep,’ before ‘closing the show’ with ‘Highway to Hell.’ Skunk walk off stage as the academy is filled with a mixture of boos, cheers and screams for “one more song.” Walking back on to play three more, it’s fair to say, if Friday has taught us anything, it’s that Skunk are a very, very special band.

Until next time. 

See photos from the night by Yasmin Cowan below:

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More about: Skunk Anansie