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Enter Shikari Energized With a Solid Set in Saint Louis Sunday

Enter Shikari performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

 

–by Randy Thompson

–Photos by Greg Artime

 

We were at the Red Flag in downtown St. Louis Sunday night to see Enter Shikari, and an evening of razor-sharp alternative rock with a punk edge and plenty of electronica and power pop to fill the evening.

There was a large, energetic crowd who were ready to rock and enjoy an evening with some of their favorite bands. We had a lineup of three high-octane groups, and the Red Flag is a spacious, well set up venue that makes it easy to get around to dance, purchase t-shirts and obtain refreshments. The sight lines are good from just about any angle, with no obstructions, and there is a great sound wherever you may sit or stand.

Yours Truly performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

 

Yours Truly, a very energetic Australian Power Pop trio, opened up the evening and provided a great start to the night. Lead singer, Mikaela Delgado, took center stage as guitarist, Teddy Winder-Harin, stepped back and gave her room to sing, dance, and get the audience involved from the beginning.

Yours Truly performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

Yours Truly had a solid, danceable beat, with the guitarist laying down strong licks while Delgado’s full, melodic voice was impeccable while drummer Henry Beard kept things moving along at a frenetic pace. She even announced that this was their favorite stop of the tour. Many fans seemed quite familiar with their work, singing along to hits ā€œHigh Hopesā€ and ā€œCall My Namesā€.Ā  Yours Truly provided a strong set to begin the evening of music.

You Me at Six performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

Next up was the pop punk band You Me at Six. The stage started off dark with an eerie guitar solo with heavy drums filing the air, and video pillars flared on about the stage. The band started strong throwing out solid alternative rock grooves, and some screamo with a little punk thrown into the mix with songs like ā€œLoverboyā€ and ā€œRecklessā€ among the opening songs. They covered all of those genres well with a fluidity that was natural, and they absolutely got the fans on their feet. The band provided beautiful melodies that were catchy and strong, held up by the incredible guitar work of Max Helyer and Chris Miller that buzzed like a saw, or strummed along while backing up Josh Franceschiā€™s voice exceptionally well on songs like ā€œTake On the Worldā€.

You Me at Six performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

Daniel Flint was solid on drums throughout the set, and complimented the powerful presence that the band created. You Me at Six had the crowd jumping and singing along throughout the entire show. Franceschi even worked to get a mosh pit going while he threw in some screamo and punk splashes that energized the audience. In fact, this band connected tightly with their fans, having short conversations in between songs, and then moving into a buzz saw attack with raging guitars, thundering drums, and the incredible voice of Josh Franceschi to bring everything to a crescendo. There was plenty of jumping and pumping in the crowd with fists raised and heads bobbing throughout Red Flag by the end of the set.

You Me at Six performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

Sadly, this will be their last tour for a while, as the group is taking a break, maybe for good. But theyā€™re going out with a roar, and took the audience happily with them.

Enter Shikari performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

Enter Shikari is a band that pioneered electronicore music, which is a blend of punk rock and electronic experimental music. But they really defy any kind of pigeon holing. Suffice it to say that this band is an experience unto themselves. We werenā€™t sure what to expect, but what we received was an amazing barrage of sound and visual effects. They have an amazing set of video columns on stage that present visuals unlike anything you have seen before, unless you have seen this band. The set started with vocalist Rou Reynold alone, center stage rapping ā€œSystemā€.

Enter Shikari performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

There were times when Reynolds was screaming, growling, and talking into the microphone. He was frequently moving, twisting, and bouncing around the stage. Enter Shikari produces relentlessly, driving music that shears through the air and into your head like a minesweeper. I described it during the show as synaptic overload, a tsunami of energy, sound, and fairly cosmic political concepts. They would slow things down at times to present a slow and heartfelt acoustic version of ā€œJuggernautsā€, and then they would plug everything back into a pumping, throbbing, electronic storm on “It Hurtsā€ or ā€œAnaesthetistā€.

Enter Shikari performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

The band members were all in sync, singing and playing with a singular vision. The audience never stopped hopping, jumping and moving along with the band. They were extremely excited to be a part of this musical experience. Enter Shikari threw in a little hip hop, definite punk sounds, alternative rock, and a barrage of electronic pulses that made for a melodic chain of events appear on stage. They certainly made their fans very happy, and it was an amazing experience for newbies like us. Give yourself a chance to experience this band if you ever get an opportunity. It is well worth it.

Enter Shikari performing at Red Flag in St. Louis Sunday. Photo by Greg Artime.

 

Be sure to check out the rest of the photos in the gallery after the setlist below.

 

Enter Shikari Setlist:

System…

ā€¦Meltdown

Live Outside

Giant Pacific Octopus

Anaesthetist

Bloodshot

goldfish~

The Jester

Losing My Grip

Juggernauts

Gap in the Fence

Enter Shikari

Mothership

Solidarity

It Hurts

satellites**

The Dreamerā€™s Hotel

Encore:

(pls) set me on fire

Sorry, Youā€™re Not a Winner

A Kiss for the Whole World x

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