Skunk Anansie @ Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton – Thursday 21st March 2013
Downsized from the Civic to the Wulfrun, Skunk Anansie are nearing the end of their UK dates in promotion of the recent ‘Black Traffic’ album. The venue is full, but not sold out, as the band take to the stage, amid a backdrop film of racing through streets. Opening with ‘Skankhead’ it’s clear we are in for a storming gig, the band are musically spot-on, but of course throughout the set, our attention is, rightly so, on the wonderful Skin, who is lead vocalist, entertainer, beautiful, scary, immense and with the voice of an angel one second, and a devil the next.
The setlist will follow at the end, but at 21 songs of perfection this was easily one of the best live performances I’ve had the privilege to see. I have not seen a musician engage with their audience in such a personal and direct way for quite some time. Yes, I’ve seen them dive in the crowd before, but see them stand in the middle, ask everyone to crouch down, and then make her way to the mixing desk, and be carried back to the stage by the crowd, arms aloft, well that was simply spectacular. It is not only special, but shows her complete trust in her audience, and her desire to be at one with them. I think I’m smitten, and I make no apologies for that.
She is outspoken, commenting on the new Pope before ‘God loves only you’, and the political barb is ever present by dedicating ‘This is not a game’ to those “motherfuckers who have fucked up our country”, apologising for swearing after she spots a child in the audience. “How old….eleven…old enough.”
The lighting and stage set is perfect, and hard as I’ve tried to find something that didn’t work, or could’ve been better, there’s nothing. Even the merchandise had signed items, for a donation to charity. Perfect. I managed to get a setlist, and so with my signed poster, a great end to a brilliant night. Skunk Anansie were superb, Skin was immense, and I have a new crush.
Set-list
Skankheads
I will break
I believed
God only loves you
Hero
Twisted
I’ve had enough
My ugly boy
Weak as I am
Hedonism
My love will fall
This is not a game
I can dream
Spit you out
Sad sad sad
Because of you
Political
Charlie big potato
Tear this place up
100 ways
Little baby swastika
Review by Glenn Raybone
Photographs by Katja Ogrin