08-10-2007 Enter Shikari

Supports: Lost alone, Malkovich; Venue: Tivoli
By: Wouter van de Kamp

  Finally there was an interesting gig in my home town again. I was very curious
  after this show. Not because of the crowd, which would undoubtedly mainly consist
  of emo teens just like the three times I saw them live already this year, but I was curious  as to what the intensive touring had done to the
  band. When I arrived at the sold out venue (with a capacity of 1.000 visitors)
  there was a long row in front of the door. Fortunately I saw friends halfway
  the row which saved me quite some waiting. Upon entering we read that the gig
  featured a third band called Lost Alone and that the other support act had moved
  to 20.00h. That other support act was just like the gigs in Doornroosje and
  Waterfront “Malkovich”.

  It was clear to me already that Enter Shikari had gotten more mainstream attention.
  At least if one judged from the people attending the show. That made me curious
  as to how they would dig the quite complex and odd metal/jazz/rock/core (to
  name but a few) combination. But I had forgotten about the advantages of having
  such a young audience. They generally like anything if it’s just loud. The sound
  was quite professional, especially the drums, which I found quite unsuitable
  for a band like Malkovich. Besides that it just didn’t have the vibe I am used
  to with them. Perhaps the audience, perhaps the height of the stage, I don’t
  know. But the emo kids just did not seem to care about that. They just wanted
  to have a good time and considering their shouting and clapping and even the
  moshpits here and there, they did. Malkovich must have had a good time as well.
  Memorable moment during the show is some kid close to the stage asking for some
  water. Then the singer walks out to the kid with a nice smileface offering his
  bottle like: you want some? And just when he’s about to give it he empties it
  in the crowd with one smash… Next on he takes a whole tray of water bottles
  and throws it in the crowd. Good joke.

  Next on was Lost Alone. The crowd’s voices were seemingly warmed up through
  Malkovich because this Derby-based (UK) band was greeted with even more cheers,
  shouting and clapping than Malkovich. I hadn’t heard of the band before and
  after two songs I wish it would have stayed that way. But that was just my personal
  taste. They got a very steady performance and this was obviously not their first
  gig they played. Musically they bring some mixture of punk/grunge and britrock
  with some emo-influences. Sort of like Soundgarden being molested by Muse using
  emo knifes to slit their wrists. The crowd seemed to like it though. But I went
  out to the corridor next to the entrance to get some fresh air. Or at least
  some fresher air. It was enormously hot in the hall. And Enter Shikari had not
  even started yet. I saw people coming out very enthusiastically and judging
  from the merchandising sales a lot of people liked it.

  Then it was time for the MySpace sensation of this year. The English version
  of Dutch Esmee Denters, who both gained enormous attention and a record deal
  without having an album out was starting their intro and the crowd went wild.
  Just before the first notes on guitar me and my friend started out a moshpit.
  But we could only do that for two songs. We are both used to some moshing and
  some heat, but this was just unbearable. And so did many people think. Moshpits
  started with a large group but in no time almost 80 percent just quit. Many
  seemed to like to jump and dance in other ways though. Respect to those that
  did that during the whole show. Back to my question I started this review out
  with. Their extensive touring (doing a show almost every day) did unfortunately
  have an influence on them. They had a guy with them who pushed people off the
  stage when they were too long on stage and also on other perspectives you could
  see they professionalised their performance. From the very beginning to the
  end there was some lack of enthusiasm with the bandmembers. Not that they were
  just bluntly playing their songs. Into the contrary, they still jumped and ran
  against walls etcetera. They just seemed to have gotten used to the outrageous
  crowd, in full contrast to the Melkweggig. Nevertheless there were
  happy faces everywhere and a crowd continually going wild. It seems to me as
  if Enter Shikari is again an undergroundband lost to the mainstream. Either
  they should go one step further in their professionalism and learn how to make
  a show special for a crowd and improvise with more jokes and entertaining or
  you will not see me too often at their shows from now on. Not that they should
  care. They have succes. They sold out a 1000 visitors venue. They play almost
  everyday. I was happy to be outside again, because I was in desperate need of
  fresh air after moshing through their hit song “Sorry You’re Not a Winner”.
  Judging from the presence of sweat on all other people’s happy faces that came
  out I was not the only one. I will keep track of what this band is doing and
  am curious what the next step will be.

Links:

  Enter Shikari official
  Enter Shikari Myspace
  Malkovich Myspace
  Lost alone
  Tivoli