Enter Shikari impress on 8th visit to Barrowland Ballroom
The band had the Glasgow venue rocking.
Photo: Isla Kerr
Enter Shikari are a band that need no introduction, and as bodies fly over the barrier in Barrowland Ballroom this Tuesday night, it is clear that Rabble Rouser is still in the four-piece’s blood. Rou Reynolds moves about the stage with the rhythm of a breakdancer; part calm, part chaos.
The crowd mirrors his energy and as {The Dreamer’s Hotel} ends, a chant of “Go Enter Shikari” breaks out. Rou takes to the mic to greet the adoring masses with “Good evening darlings”. He goes on to share that the next song was written thirteen years ago out of anger around climate change denial. Played for the first time in this room twelve years ago, Arguing With Thermometers sends the crowd into a frenzy tonight. In fact, every single track does. The crowd sings each one word for word. Even those at the edges of the room dance like nobody’s watching.
Photo: Isla kerr
Drawing from the knowledge of their promoter, the band inform us that this is the eighth time they have played at Barrowland Ballroom. “We asked Dave, our promoter, how many times we’d played he… he thinks eight”. Rou asks the crowd how many they think it’s been but no definite number shines through. One thing is sure though, it’s a lot. Safe to say, this is a favoured venue of theirs.
When Sorry You’re Not A Winner begins, one eager audience member is held up as they brandish an inflatable banana in the air. Not to be bested, Rou soon takes to playing trumpet.
Security catching body after body doesn’t go unnoticed by Chris Batten (keys and guitar), who takes to his mic: “Make some noise for the security keeping you safe”. It’s always nice to see artists draw attention to the people their night couldn’t run without. Enter Shikari are particularly great at showing appreciation to key players like this and it’s definitely a big part of why their fanbase feels so connected to them.
The encore was cheered on by the crowd with cries of the lyrics to Enter Shikari from debut album Take to the Skies: “We will be here standing like statues”. Stop the Clocks and A Kiss for the Whole World were their reward and the entire room lost themselves in the music.
Enter Shikari are one of the greats. Over 20 years into their career as a band, they are just as potent as ever. The tour finishes up with a few European shows. Fear not, for if you missed out this time, you will be able to catch the guys back on home soil for Reading & Leeds next summer.
All photos by Isla Kerr.