The Skints
The Skints rock up to Epic
After some issues with tickets causing a long line to from outside the venue, I entered the venue to see Holly Cook had already started her set. A thundering bass guitar, set alongside the up and down strokes of a reggae guitar made a noise that really emphasised Holly’s voice. Some of the later songs feature a synth that could have been taken straight of an 80’s pop song and a vocal echo that gives her voice an ethereal quality. Not that it needs any help of course, as Holly’s voice is the true attraction, reaching all the high notes, and embodying a party spirit, that got everybody pumped for the headliners The Skints. Nothing too far outside of the box here, but a lot of fun. 7/10
After a long wait, the crowd was well and truly ready for the headline act. Walking onstage to the radio opening of their new album ‘FM’ they launch straight into new single ‘This Town’ a mishmash of styles held together by the infectious vocal hook performed by Jamie Kyriakides on the drum kit. The crowd go crazy for rapped verses by Horseman and Tippa Irie, performed live on the stage. Guitarist Joshua Rudge acts as an MC, asking the crowd “Are you ready to f*****g party?!” on numerous occasions, hyping everyone up, before moving towards the drum kit to start the next song. On the song ‘Murderer’ Marcia Richards’ Lily Allen-esque vocals take the forefront, coming together in the chorus with Kyriakides for some sweet harmonies. Rudge introduces ‘My War’ as “A Black Flag song like you’ve never heard it done before” and he is in not mistaken. They welcome out one final guest for the night for the song ‘Eyes In The Back Of My Head’, London rapper Rival. This goes down well and everyone is raring for more. Before the band have even left the stage there are chants of ‘We Want More!’ Of course, they come out for two more songs, with Rudge introducing the first of the two by saying “This song is the story of The Skints, thank you for being part of that story”. A massive circle pit forms for the final song, with crowd surfers being dragged out of the venue. Rudge says “Thank you” one final time, and they leave the stage. Someone backstage puts Lionel Richie on the stereo system, causing something that could almost be regarded as a flash mob, with punks and indie kids alike singing along. 8/10
