You simply can’t categorise a band who take noticeable influence from metal, punk, reggae, hip-hop, dancehall and top it off with a Welsh accent. Skindred are one of the most inspiring and one-of-a-kind bands in the entire rock community. Not only are they famous for their genre-blending wizardry, but their live shows are talked about worldwide for their high energy, incredible musicianship and universal fun for all.
Acting as main support, the Japanese sensations Crossfaith catch everyone who’s never heard of them completely off guard. They manage to dismiss the sceptics and make those who adore them love them even more. Come 2015, the combination of electro and metalcore is something that has been done to death, but Crossfaith are one of the very few who have completely perfected it on the live platform. Their schizophrenic take on the genres and take-no-prisoners energy gets the majority of the venue jumping off their feet. At one point, Skindred frontman Benji Webbe takes to the stage to perform ‘Wildfire’, offering a tiny taste of the carnage you can expect from the headliners.
Vocalist Koie Kenta can scream with the best of them, and his enthusiasm is nothing but infectious. Ending with the knockout blow of their famed cover of The Prodigy’s ‘Omen’, Crossfaith manage to do the unthinkable in giving Skindred a genuine run for their money. Most bands would often be no match to the headliner’s high standard of live shows, but the dominating performance by the supporting five-piece means that they have to be on top of their game if they don’t want to be outdone.
Sure enough, in no time at all, Skindred march on to the stage to the sound of AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ like they’re ready to do battle. Launching into their latest single ‘Under Attack’, making the audience return to a whirlwind of sweat and bodies, instantaneously jumping around the packed venue, it’s clear from the start that Skindred refuse to be anything but the best on any lineup they appear on.
Throughout the show, the band cover every step of their career with early tracks like ‘Rat Race’ and ‘Nobody’, pleasing the older fans whilst seamlessly introducing songs from their latest album ‘Volume’ to their repertoire, such as the title track and ‘Sound the Siren’. Their previous album, ‘Kill The Power’ is considered (bizarrely) too different to the sound that makes Skindred so unique; their latest efforts certainly put them back on the right track.
The band are unbelievably tight and possess a level of musicianship most bands dream of. But it’s Webbe’s on-stage personality that puts them above the rest. Making the task of being the frontman and ringleader of the band and crowd look like child’s play, the singer successfully instructs the crowd go berserk for each song through the use of showmanship, an excellent sense of humour and an unrelenting vocal style.
Ending the night on fan favourite ‘Warning’, despite Crossfaith’s best efforts earlier in the night, Skindred prove why they are considered to be one of the very best live acts in the UK, whipping the crowd up in one final, riff laden storm that you can’t help but applaud, take your top off and throw it around with the ‘Newport Helicopter’. Skindred and Crossfaith are proof that you don’t have to conform to one genre or a certain expectation to excel in the rock community. By experimenting and going the extra mile to put on the best live show possible, it makes them them so much more exciting.
Words – Louis Kerry
Photography – Kayleigh Warren
