SWX Bristol, 19th February
Enter Shikari are the musical equivalent of a petrol bomb. Igniting the air with a wall of sound, energy & light.
Sunday night marked the start of a three month residency at Bristol’s SWX. And it couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. The sold out crowd bristling with anticipation of seeing the return of one of the countries most beloved bands of the past 15 + years. The breadth of the bands appeal evident in the wide age range of those in attendance.
Veterans of Shikari shows know very well went to expect. Max energy, all time, every time. And Sunday was no different.
The band taking to the stage with “(pls) Set Me On Fire” off new album “A Kiss For The Whole World” which drops April 21st. The track acts like a match to the gasoline soaked atmosphere and the whole venue goes up. It’s unrelenting for the whole set. Security constantly pulling crowd surfers over the barrier as the band punch our musical solar plexus like a heavyweight boxer. The only rest bite is when Rou Inexplicably disappears from the stage… only to reappear, illuminated by a single torch and dangling over the barriers of the venues top floor. Arms of the crowd reaching for him like disciples reaching for their music messiah. Staring wide eyed into the void, as he performs “The Void Stares back”. Hearts in mouths of the Shikari entourage as Rou decides to walk the lip of the upper floor belting out latest single “It Hurts”.
The Shikari faithful are by now in rabid mood, churning mosh pits break out all over the venues floor as the band thank the crowd for Friday night energy on a Sunday.
If you could bottle the positive energy of a Shikari gig it would sell for five times what Prime currently retails at. And the world would be a better place for it.
New & old fans got to see ES in top form with a set list that delivered everything a uber fan could have asked for. Perennial favourites like “Live Outside” & “Sorry, Your not a winner” define the night.
This gig and the new material only going to prove Shikari are at the peak of their talents and look set to stay there for a considerable period of time yet.
@bristolnomad_gigphotography
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
