Skindred invite Wembley Arena to celebrate life with a thunderous headline show

Skindred live at OVO Wembley Arena, 15 March 2024

Review & Photography: Aggie Anthimidou

 

“This is not just another concert, this is a spiritual feel and a love offering; this is a celebration of life” frontman Benji Webbe says; marking the band’s biggest headline concert to date. And very deservingly so.

The Newport band isn’t new to big crowds and stages. Having mastered crowds in UK’s biggest festivals – Download, Reading & Leeds, Bloodstock – they seem at perfect ease tonight.

Through a storm of confetti frontman Benji Webbe – in an envy-causing attire of shimmering black leather and sequins – with bandmates Mikey Demus, Arya Goggin and Daniel Pugsley take on stage with blazing ‘Set Fazers’, from their latest album ‘Smile’.

‘Pressure’ and ‘Rat Race’ follow but it’s also the little snippets of ‘Back in Black’ and ‘Bohemian Rapsody’ that really ensure they get every fan involved from the outset.

 

From there it only builds up with ‘That’s My Jam’ causing a rioting mosh pit. For anyone who is new to a live Skindred show it’s obvious that this is going to be a concert like no other.

Benji Webbe doesn’t intend to leave anyone out of the experience though. One of the most charismatic artists I’ve seen on stage, he ‘embraces’ all fans, building a connection.

 

You quickly realise that a Skindred show is more than a show; it is connection, it is a communal experience and an energy release. It is also an almost ritualistic experience with a number of mosh pit staples; circling, rowing and the now famous ‘Newport Helicopter’.

‘L.O.V.E. (Smile Please)’ is a sunny, wholesome, summer reggae jam. Any feelings of stress or worry are completely washed away by that stage!

“We got a lot of requests to play this song”, Benji says. ‘If I could’ was written during the pandemic and expresses how he felt at the time.

We are treated to ‘Kill the Power’ next but not before Benji talks openly about the impact his parents’ passing had on him and his decision to pursue music. He talks about negative forces and urges his fans to raise their hands and crash all negativity in their lives. An implosive follow of ‘Kill the Power’ really did feel like a negativity exorcism.

 

As much as the music is the protagonist here, so are the wardrobe changes. From black leather, to white fringed jackets and colourful faux-fur coats, the eclectic mix of outfits play their own role this glorious evening which closes amongst a rain for colourful confetti and ribbons.

‘Music is a beautiful thing’ Benji notes. It is beautiful and tonight Skindred proved it again and again.