Enter Shikari with support from FEVER 333 and NOAHFINNCE
at Utilita Arena, Cardiff UK
words and photos by Matt Sheppard

Enter Shikari rocked up to the Welsh capital of Cardiff as part of their Kiss For The Whole World Tour. Cardiff was the penultimate date on the UK leg of this tour, Enter Shikari's first arena run ever, with the final UK date being the following night at Wembley Arena in London. However, Shikari weren't holding anything back specially for that final show, they brought their A game to Cardiff and dusted the cobwebs off the Shikari Sound System to much delight of the fans.

Kicking off the night was NOAHFINNCE, a rising star from the UK, that brought his combo of pop-punk and high energy to the arena to get the crowd excited for the show. His set contained some of his fans favourites, from ‘3 DAY HANGOVER’ to ‘LALALA’, his set was bouncy and full of energy and his songs sounded great belting out through the arena speakers.

Up next were Fever 333, hailing from California, USA, and frontman Jason Aalon Butler led the charge for their set which was full of songs made up of politically charged lyrics and their distinctive rap-rock sound. In between songs taking time to support women, people of colour, and the people affected in Palestine, as well as all those oppressed and struggling in this world, their set included songs such as ‘Burn It’, ‘Made In America’, and ‘Bite Back’. They fill the arena stage as Jason, April and Brandon run about making great use of the space they've been given, Jason especially as he was running around and jumping off of everything he could find.

Now came the main event, Enter Shikari. These guys rarely need an introduction these days with their stock skyrocketing over the last two decades. This is shown by front man Rou Reynolds simply walking out on stage at the start of the set to give an emphatic spoken word rendition of ‘System’, with the crowd belting every word back to him in unison. This was followed ceremoniously by ‘Meltdown’, full of heavy breakdowns and electronic synths we've come to know and love from these guys. This combo to open the show with really set the tone for what was to come - an incredible Shikari set that sends the crowd into a constant frenzy.

The next two hours were a spectacle of sounds and sights and songs on the bill included beloved favourites such as ‘Anaesthetist’, ‘Sssnakepit’, ‘It Hurts’, and ‘Juggernauts’. The visuals were a sight to behold and to sum them up simply, how does an ungodly amount of laser beams sound? I’m pretty sure lasers were used in every other song. Shikari have really stepped up their visual kit on this tour, with stunning visuals accompanying each song, making it a show worthy of their newly found arena band status.

It’s clear that every time you go and watch this quartet play, without fail, no matter the size of the stage, they're having the time of their lives. But, it’s also worth nothing that I think you'd get the same level of excitement from these guys playing tiny venues like they did at the start of their career. They’re just that happy to be on stage doing what they love best and the dedicated fans love them all the more for it with many mosh pits and impromptu dancing happening all over the venue.

To end the night, Shikari's encore was framed as extending our stay at The Dreamers Hotel and included '(pls) set me on fire', a dual version of 'Sorry You're Not A Winner' made up of the original and parts of the Pendulum remix, and 'A Kiss For The Whole World x'.

As we checked, for real this time, spirits were high and there was certain electricity in the air as fans poured back out onto Mary Anne Street, probably already looking forward to the next time they can see the St Albans group. However, when the quartet do return, I’m not sure how they’re going to be able to top this show as it was absolutely sublime.

"The staff at this hotel were so energetic and were excellent hosts, a great evening was had by all. Five stars. Would come back and stay here again."

ENTER SHIKARI: CARDIFF, UK

NOAHFINNCE

FEVER 333

ENTER SHIKARI