BRITISH ROCKERS ‘ENTER SHIKARI’ GIFT MANCHESTER A SHOW TO REMEMBER

AN ALTERNATIVE VALENTINES CELEBRATION | BY KAYLEIGH NICKSON

Valentines Day 2024 at Manchester’s iconic Victoria Warehouse and it’s British rockers ENTER SHIKARI stole our hearts this evening.

Enter Shikari’s eccentric music style mixes rock genres and electronic music genres together and when performed live, it’s an immersive experience. Following the release of their chart topping Number 1 album, A Kiss For The Whole World in April last year, the band bring their aptly titled tour of the same name to the road.

Before the main act, it’s over to the support acts for this tour NOAHFINNCE and Fever 333. NOAHFINNCE opened the show and got the crowd warmed up with his infectious pop-punk. Set to release his debut album ‘Growing Up On The Internet‘ in March, the emerging LGBTQ+ artist has been a popular figure on social media for years. A personal favourite was 2023’s catchy single ‘I Know Better’.

Next on are Fever 333. An American rock band with hip-hop elements their music tackles a range socially conscious themes such as racism, sexism and homophobia. Their whole set was bursting with energy and it was a delight to watch. Not ones to do things by half, my favourite part of their set was when frontman Jason Butler, stacked up 3 speakers, climbed up them and jumped off. I was speechless.

Finally time for Enter Shikari and it kicks off with frontman Rou Reynolds under a single spotlight, performing their song ‘System…’ as spoken words. Blending into ‘… Meltdown‘ the whole band now join in and the light show begins. Throughout the entire show the lighting, lasers, visuals and general setup was mesmerising, I couldn’t look away. It’s evident just how much time and planning has went into the production on this tour and it’s efforts aren’t lost on the crowd. The atmosphere was electrifying with everyone visibly having a great time – from mosh-pits to crowd surfing, this show had it all including a crowd surfing Rou during the song ‘Jailbreak’.

During the show, Rou let it known that no other band had played Victoria Warehouse as many times as they had in the last 10 years. They could’ve easily had the show in a bigger venue but it’s clear that this venue means a lot to them so performing there again didn’t take a second thought. I’m glad they decided to come back because it was the perfect middle ground of an intimate gig and a big production. They didn’t let the smaller venue size disrupt any of their set plans. The two large blocks acted as extra screens for visuals and at one point, whilst sitting on the block with his guitar Rou shares a moment with the crowd.

“There’s a horrible phrase in the English language and that is ‘there is no alternative’. On a social level, there’s always an alternative. Right here tonight, is an alternative. Right here tonight, where we leave the division and hatred and tribalism behind. And on a political level, there is always an alternative” Rou shares before ripping into T.I.N.A.

Jason Butler from Fever 333 joins the band on stage for their latest single ‘Losing My Grip‘, which features Jason. A collaboration so perfect that the chemistry is clear for all to see. When the song finishes there’s a sudden darkness and the entire audience begin to chant “and we will still be here, standing like statues.” Lyrics from the self titled song ‘Enter Shikari‘, I can feel the goosebumps taking me by control. I don’t think that I have ever been to a gig where everyone is engaged, singing and dancing from the barrier to the balcony. It felt like a true community, all brought together by this one band.

A showstopping performance and I loved very minute of it. A moment that I could relive over and over again and still be just as captivated as I felt tonight. Thank you Enter Shikari and crew for an amazing Valentines, I couldn’t have spent it any better way. I will be back.

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