Skunk Anansie Live in Norwich – A Masterclass in Raw Power at UEA LCR
📍 Skunk Anansie – The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA, Norwich – April 7, 2025
What a fantastic evening of high energy, powerful and passionate music we had in Norwich.
I hadn’t shot at the University of East Anglia’s famed venue before and so was really looking forward to this evening, especially as it was in Norwich that I gained my degree in photography. I was also looking forward to seeing Skunk Anansie bring what Allmusic describes as “an amalgam of heavy metal and black feminist rage” to the stage, and I was not disappointed. Skin and the band delivered an incredible performance that thrilled the sold-out crowd.
And as an added bonus, I bumped into one of my old photography tutors in the pit!
So Good
🎤 So Good – Explosive Support for Skunk Anansie
Before they took to the stage though, we were (musically) smacked full in the face courtesy of a short set from hip hop / drill / punk quintet So Good.
They certainly looked striking, featuring three pink ski mask-wearing instrumentalists, two backing singers that jumped around the stage like a demented Sporty Spice and vocalist Sophie, who commanded the stage from the off.
Their songs were political and outspoken, with Sophie urging everyone to raise their middle finger to a certain President.
Their 6-song set, which included ‘Water on Mars’, ‘Dick’ and ‘I Rewrote the F**king Bible’ – all from their ‘Dogs’ EP – was met with a mixed response, but the majority of the crowd – and I – thought they were great.
Skunk Anansie
🔥 Skunk Anansie Take the Stage with Tribute and Firepower
After a short interval the lights dimmed and the cheers began for the band everyone was here to see.
What they got, though, was Blondie’s ‘Atomic’ played at full volume – a perfect and touching tribute to Clem Burke, who sadly passed away that same day. Skin has previously stated that Blondie were a huge influence, and so this was fitting.
As the last stains of ‘Atomic’ faded, Ace, Cass, and Mark Richardson took to the stage, followed by Skin herself – and the crowd exploded in cheers.
They launched straight into ‘This Means War’, followed swiftly by ‘Play Video’ and ‘Charlie Big Potato’. Skin commands the stage effortlessly, her stunning voice cutting through the driving rhythms of the band and every single person there was enthralled from the off. Her energy is infectious, and she never seems to stand still.
She’s funny too:
“Why are you holding up my book?” she asked a fan near the front. “I can’t sign it for you, I’m a little bit busy.”
Skunk Anansie Set
🎶 Skunk Anansie – Setlist and Musical Fireworks
Tonight was all about the music though, and we got an epic, 21-song set that delved into the band’s back catalogue and brought us right up to date with four cuts from the upcoming album ‘The Painful Truth’, including the awesome new single ‘Lost and Found’.
As the band powered through crowd pleasers like:
- ‘God Loves Only You’
- ‘I Can Dream’
- ‘Yes It’s F**king Political’
- ‘Little Baby Swastikkka’
…we were reminded not just what a superb band they always were, but that they had – and still have – a lot to say.
Their music and message are as urgent and important as ever, and they brought the packed, crowd-surfing LCR audience with them.
The Encore
🎸 Encore Magic: Hedonism and Led Zeppelin
The short break at the end of the main set gave everyone a chance to catch their breath before Skin, Ace, Cass and Mark returned for a well-deserved encore that included:
- ‘Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)’
- A superb cover of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’
As fans new and old exited into the night air, everyone knew they had witnessed a band at the top of their game.
Catch Skunk Anansie on this tour if you can!
🗓️ Skunk Anansie Album Release – The Painful Truth
‘The Painful Truth’ is released on 23 May
@ RockNews
You can check out more from Skunk Anansie below.
https://skunkanansie.com
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