From St Albans to OVO Arena Wembley, Enter Shikari have spent the last twenty years honing the immense cross-genre sound that they have become globally renowned for. Now, in a monumental pinnacle, the quartet embarked on their first UK arena tour, joined by FEVER 333 and Noahfinnce.
Enter Shikari
OVO Arena Wembley – 17 February 2024
Words: Lacey Wait
Photography: Robert Sutton
For fans all over, this moment has been a long time coming. A divine anticipation hangs in the air as the people begin chanting, desperate for Enter Shikari to enter. The chill-inducing buzz is ritualistic, present at each one of their shows, but never on this scale.
The arena lights dim to nothing but a spotlight front and centre while the chant turns into a deafening roar. Rou Reynolds appears beneath the solitary beam for System… to which every voice casts back in unison. This poignant moment swiftly breaks into …Meltdown as Enter Shikari pummel into full force.
Surrounding the band is an epic light show complete with strobes, lasers, pyrotechnics, and trippy video projections that elevate each song into a futuristic production of its own. It’s a feast for the senses.
They play on with the joyful anthem Live Outside, which has the crowd involuntarily migrating backwards and forwards, before pushing the venue’s sound system to its limits with Anaesthetist, Jailbreak and Sssnakepit.
Like FEVER 333, Enter Shikari uses their massive platform to acknowledge the world’s troubles, which adds a heaviness to the show. Maybe it’s the combination of intense lights and weighty lyrics, but it’s bordering on dystopian.
However, the fans’ love and celebration of this band translates into support for those at the heart of these troubles, reminding us that there is hope left for humanity.
A handful of enchanting pockets take place during the one-hour and 40-minute set, such as Rou’s solo performances of The Pressure’s On and Juggernauts. Not only is his energy as a frontman unrivalled, but the whole band bring a transcendent presence to Wembley.
Guest appearances from Jason Aalon Butler and Eurovision’s Sam Ryder ramp up the wow factor while harnessing the power of the unexpected.
They encore with Sorry, You’re Not a Winner and the title track from their latest album, A Kiss For The Whole World X. If it weren’t for the noise curfew, I believe Enter Shikari could play on throughout the night without a single complaint.
Three incredible bands, one inexplicably electric night. Enter Shikari, without a doubt, give everything they have to this culmination of their twenty-plus years. Everything they stand for, everything they create, and all the love they give.
To them, we say thank you.
