Skunk Anansie are readying their latest album; what better way to hype it than with a sold out show in Manchester!
SO GOOD
It is either genius or very cheesy as a band name. Whichever way, So Good are just that. Rabble rousers, agitators, firebrands; they’re all descriptions that apply to this self proclaimed ‘ignorant brat pop’ band. A dastardly mix of deadly verse, thumping rhythms and anarchic tendencies flow through the DNA of this group that are turning heads in a lot of places.
Tracks such as If I Had A… bristle with angst and are the perfect rallying call to the dissenters of the TikTok generation. In Manchester, they have a captive audience as the venue is nearly at capacity. Sentiments of smashing the fascists are nothing new, but with So Good, you can’t not believe them and want to go into battle with them.
“We are So Good!” comes the call from the stage. It’s an example of where that name works perfectly; not just a name, but a self fulfilling prophecy that most definitely works on whatever level you want it to. We will see and hear a lot more from this lot. A perfect start to the evening.
SKUNK ANANSIE
Skunk Anansie are one of the most enduring bands of British rock. As trailblazers in the 1990’s they went on to headline Glastonbury in 1999. In doing so, Skin became the first black British headliner of the festival; a feat not accomplished again until Stormzy did so in 2019.
Many of the songs that made up that setlist in 1999 still sound monumental today as they are aired at the O2 Apollo in Manchester. Weak and I Can Dream form a mid set double from debut album, Paranoid & Sunburnt. The former is hollered loud and proud and the latter sees Skin taking it to the crowd. Another deadly singalong is Secretly, from 1999’s Post Orgasmic Chill. It acts as a new generation of power ballad as the crowd turn it into another monumental singalong. Ace delivers a lilting solo to enhance the emotion in the song. It is epic stuff.
For the tenderness contained within songs like Secretly, Skunk Anansie have the ability to be one of the most sonically heavy bands around. This Means War is absolutely hulking. The single only release sees Skin spitting venomous lyrics atop crushing guitars and drums. The rhythm section of Mark Richardson and Cass are as cohesive as any around. Charlie Big Potato is another example of this cohesion as the drum and bass inspired rhythm flares up.
BLISTERING
Skin’s ire is also evident in the way she delivers newbie, An Artist Is An Artist. The lyrics are almost rapped and the pulsing beat is motorik in effect. Such is the power of the new material, there is a shirt on sale containing the lyrics and the crowd are already making this a fan favourite. It is another nod to the legacy that this band has.
Other new tracks are played, including Cheers, Lost & Found and Animal. The latter is beat heavy and has another catchy chorus along the lines of; ‘I am an animal, an animal I am, an animal.’ It goes down well. Other latter day cuts include Tear The Place Up and Because Of You – both from 2009’s Smashes & Trashes compilation. These songs marked a turning point for Skunk Anansie as they have grown from strength to strength once again, delivering some great material through the 2010’s.
My Ugly Boy is a great pop rock song from 2010’s Wonderlustre. Another track from the same album is God Loves Only You. It is preceded by a lengthy bout of pontificating from Skin. ‘None of us are safe, until all of us are safe,’ says Skin as she ruminates on the need from equality in all walks of life. Naturally, the message is greeted rapturously and gives the song extra significance.
JUST BECAUSE YOU FEEL GOOD
Whilst Skunk Anansie’s newer material is very good, there are certain songs in their repertoire that are hard to top. Hedomism (Just Because You Feel Good) is an anthem for the ages. It is Skunk Anansie’s most streamed song on Spotify and it raises the roof.
Then, there are hard smashers like The Skank Heads, Yes It’s Fucking Political and Little Baby Swastika. The O2 Apollo comes unglued with a rare energy as the band revel in the chaos that these songs bring. The tempo is visceral and the crowd respond in reciprocal manner. A note has to be made on how great Yes It’s Fucking Political sounds; the heavy riff, juxtaposed with the slinky bass and lyric that adorn the verses is a real treat.
The Painful Truth is the new album from Skunk Anansie; it is released on 23rd May 2025. There is zero pain in the truth that Skunk Anansie are a legendary band. For over 30 years, they have shown a desire to remain in the conscious of so many. It is truly wonderful to see them selling out big venues and playing to big crowds. They deserve it.
You can pre-order The Painful Truth, here. Listen to An Artist Is An Artist below.
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Categories: Live Reviews
