Review: The Enemy at O2 City Hall Newcastle

Invited| Review by Samantha Pearson

Living up to their second studio album, The Enemy, along with their old friends The Subways and The Holloways, really did provide Music For The People last night at O2 City Hall Newcastle for their ‘Indie Til I Die’ tour. 

After forming in 2006 and shortly releasing their Number One debut album ‘We’ll Live and Die in These Towns’ in 2007, the enemy have produced hard hitting, fast paced indie bangers that pull together the working class crowds into a huge sing song frenzy!

8 years since getting back together, the lads, lead in by frontman Tom Clarke graced the stage after stellar sets from The Holloways and The Subways. ‘Generator’ from The Holloways had crowd participation from the get go as well as ‘Oh Yeah’ and ‘Rock & Roll Queen’ allowing the crowd to relive these legendary numbers from almost 20 years ago! 

Both The Enemy and The Subways joined charitable forces for World Mental Health Day and World Homeless Day on Thursday 10th October by releasing alternative covers of each others most recognised songs along with a special limited edition  half-and-half scarf with all profits being donated to Shelter and Mind. It was great to hear both bands promote purchasing the above mid sets and especially highlighting men’s health to a prominently male dominated crowd. 

‘Aggro’ and ‘Pressure’ started us off for The Enemy, and the atmosphere from the get go was through the roof. ’Away From Here’ brought the house down and the crowd descended into total carnage, featuring an inevitable mosh pit towards the front and plastic cups containing questionable liquid thrown in every direction – in true indie chaos!

The whole set took the majority of the crowd back to the mid 2000’s and with the vocals sound and strobe/flashing lighting being on point throughout the night, it was quite easy to get lost thinking you were right back in that era like it hadn’t been almost 20 year ago! 

A pinch me moment was listening to the crowd word for word belt back to the band, ‘We’ll Live and Die in These Towns’. Tom Clarke and the rest of the band soaked all of this in and it was heartwarming to watch those in the crowd come together in harmony for an absolutely special moment of the evening. 

Whilst performing ‘40 Days & 40 Nights’, the lads dropped in a snippet of ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials, in homage to their Coventry Roots, to much delight of the audience. The rest of the set was deeply indulged and the atmosphere didn’t dip at any moment. Further songs included ‘Happy Birthday Jane’ ‘Be Somebody’ and ‘Saturday’, ended on a Reprise of ‘This Song’, which continued to echo the City Hall even when The Enemy had left the stage, showing again, just how much of an incredible band and how well renowned they are to the people! 

The whole night was an absolute celebration of the past eighteen years and 100% showed that Indie music isn’t dead, and never will be. The tour continues for a further three dates in Manchester, Birmingham and London and trust me, if you don’t have tickets – this isn’t one to be missed! 

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