Review: Skunk Anansie at the O2 Academy Newcastle - Young ...

19 Mar 2013 12:51

Phil Archbold rocks out with British quartet Skunk Anansie at Newcastle's O2 Academy

Not many bands manage to headline Glastonbury and then sink into obscurity in a matter of just two years, though that was nearly the case with Skunk Anansie.

The British quartet topped the bill at the UK?s premier musical festival in 1999, only to disband in 2001 and begin an eight-year hiatus that allowed them to slip out of the musical mainstream.

Their reformation seemed to go largely unnoticed, though their hardcore followers turned out in numbers for their Newcastle gig.

They took their time to arrive, however.

Support act Beware of Darkness played largely to an empty room, though they would not be deterred by the lack of bodies in the building. The Los Angeles three-piece put everything into their performance and looked as though they were enjoying themselves, even if nobody else was.

By the time Skunk Anansie arrived on stage the numbers had swollen and the night was about ready to begin. As the giant overhead screen burst into flames, lead vocalist Skin burst on stage and threw herself into a fiery performance.

After opening with the fist-pumping Skank Heads, Anansie carried on at full steam until they reached I Hope You Get to Meet Your Heroes and everyone was able to catch their breath.

Skin ? born Deborah Dyer ? took a minute to give the die-hards an unnecessary insight into the song and didn?t need to prompt them to sing along. The set-list began to pick up again. Tracks from the two comeback albums were well received and served to keep the blood pumping, though the energy would build up to one spectacular moment.

As the band began to play Weak, Skin stepped off stage and walked across the hands of fans, striding to the centre of the room while? performing the song perfectly.

Skunk Anansie lost their place in the top tier of British rock music when they split, but the one thing they clearly never lost was the passion.

Source: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music/review-skunk-anansie-o2-academy-1761882

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