Skunk Anansie – Newcastle Academy, 17/3/13
A rain soaked St Patrick night was ended early to see the Newcastle leg of the Black Traffic Tour. My expectations were high following the very impressive ‘Black Traffic’ album, the only question was could the band fit the modern day sound with the rest of the Skunk Anansie’s repertoire. Would the four piece top their heady 1990 days of NME Awards Tours, multiply headline and co-headline tours, the first two albums ’Paranoid & Sunburnt’ &‘Stoosh’ a slew of still well respected hit singles, all resulting them as the deserve red darlings of mainstream, alternative and rock media and fan-bases. When Skunk Anansie marked their welcome return a few years ago now, they have never took their collective foot off the gas, which in broad strokes, brings us helter skelter to 2013, Black Traffic and tonight’s show.
Tour support comes from Beware The Darkness which were a few songs better, including the new ‘Howl’ single, than just an adequate support, all songs, although unfamiliar are well delivered.
The New album is well serviced, as you’d expect, early ‘Black Traffic’ highlights included ‘I Will Break You’, ‘I Believe In You’, ‘Hope You Get To Meet Your Hero’ all shine up well, live. Then a step back to earlier days with ‘Everyday Hurts’ and that sense of satisfaction, of expectation is so evident, not unknown in the O2 Academy.
Not for the first time Skin taunted, “some people think we’re a little political? …This is ‘Weak’” which goes down a perfect storm. Followed by ‘Hedonism’ complete with crowd sing-a-long chorus is magic. Skin introduces ‘It’s No Game’ dedicating the song to David Cameron..” and I might just have imagined this “..and all those wankers”, fair to say the song was belted out full of power and stagger, with the northern crowd made their feelings know, as they booed the prime minster;s name upon mention. twenty years on, ‘I Can Dream’ tweaked a little these days, sparkled as a rip-roaring anthem, whipped the healthy sized crowd even higher before we back to modern day with ‘Spit You out’ which does not curb the crowd’s enthusiasm, ‘Sad, Sad, Sad, that shows how well SA are as a live band, Mark is very good on drums, Cass plays bass, Ace – guitar, but the two of them are not content with going by the numbers, constantly pushing the limits, as refreshing and entertaining as front woman, Skin, the 4-piece impressed, with a nod to the machine that added the odd effect and sample, it may just be 9 Volts, but your effect was duly noticed. As was the young chap, on parent’s shoulder the whole gig, joining the crowd salute as required, might not know it now but in 10 to 12 years or so, he will have the bragging rights at parties that he saw Skunk Anansie way back in 2013.
It’s around this time that, I muse that this set is great, but not sure the track 4 of their first vinyl and CD release, ‘Little Baby Swastika’ a treasured song would not fit amongst this bright newier sound. I couldn’t be more wrong as one of the highlights of the encore, after the beefed up ‘Brazen (Weep)’ was ‘Little Baby Swastika’ which was again tweaked has lost none of it’s impact or power or crowd surfing potential.
A night even after giving away my hard won three year old Guinness Shamrock hat by way of an an apologetic early exit, I couldn’t be happier, a band from youth, has even more increased heart-thumping appeal. 9/10
Steve Janes
Black Traffic UK Tour 2013
13 March – Cambridge – Corn Exchange
14 March – Norwich – UEA
16 March – Nottingham – Rock City
17 March – Newcastle – O2 Academy
18 March – Glasgow- O2ABC
20 March – Leeds – O2 Academy
21 March – Wolverhampton – Civic Hall
22 March – Manchester – Academy
24 March – Bristol – O2 Academy
25 March – Bournemouth – O2 Academy
26 March – Brighton – The Dome