LIVE: The Skints @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, 21.04.15

What better end to another sunny Spring evening than skanking along to some soulful reggae…?

I arrive at Shepherd’s Bush Empire just in time to catch the majority of the ever luminous Hollie Cook’s uplifting set. It really is a pleasure to see this woman live; a member of the re-formed Slits and daughter of the Sex Pistols’ Paul Cook, she is an incredibly prolific artist and a wonderfully engaging performer.

Treating us to many offerings from her latest album, Twice, Cook exudes a sunny radiance as her silky-smooth vocals flow with ease. And, with appearances from the legendary Horseman, this really is the perfect start to the night.

Brimming full of enthusiasm, Horseman reappears to MC proceedings and gear up the crowd in preparation for the headlining act: “Are you ready for The Skints?!” We most certainly are and, after realising I no longer have the patience to squeeze in at the front for these kinds of gigs, I take up a position with plenty of room to skank the night away.

Opening their set with latest single, ‘This Town’, the magnificent Skints start as they mean to go on – blasting out their uplifting anthems with relentless exuberance. Delivering a unique blend of reggae, ska, dub and hip-hop, this fantastic East London collective have built up a formidable live reputation, and it’s easy to see why.

As guitarist, Joshua Waters Rudge, leads proceedings, continually expressing his endearing gratitude for being there, the band deliver hard-hitting lyrics about life in the UK, juxtaposed with sunny hooks and uptempo rock steady rhythms.

From the old school upbeat reggae vibes of songs such as ‘Forest For The Trees’ and ‘Just Can’t Take No More’, to the more hardened hip hop of ‘Tazer Beam’ (feat. Tippa Irie), The Skints exude an incessant energy and impassioned spirit that soon rubs off on the enthused crowd. It really is impossible not to revel in the joy and vivacity that emanates from this band.

As a mass of buoyant, energised bodies fill Shepherd’s Bush, united in their love of the music and message of togetherness that The Skints convey, a refreshingly eclectic mix of genres blasts from the stage: a perfect example of the wonderful melting pot of the UK’s musical culture.

As multi-instrumentalist, Marcia Richards, switches from drum machine to flute to melodica and provides dazzling harmonies alongside the distinctive vocals of Jamie Kyriakides, revitalising beats race and the whole venue is filled with The Skints’ contagiously uplifting summer vibes.

With highlights including their sunny, ska-fused rendition of Black Flag’s ‘My War’ and the overwhelmingly exalting ‘Rubadub (Done Know’), The Skints overwhelm each and every one of us with the vibrancy and empowering spirit of their joyful tunes: a truly glorious accompaniment to this Spring evening.

Mari Lane
@marimindles