23/04/2026
Electric Bristol lived up to its name on Tuesday night as South Walian heavyweights Skindred rolled into town celebrating their ninth album, ‘You Got This’. From the moment ‘The Imperial March’ boomed through the speakers, you could feel the anticipation crackling through the room. It’s a bold choice for a walk on, but Skindred have never been a band for half measures, and judging by the roar that greeted them, the Bristol crowd were more than ready. Frontman Benji Webbe emerged in full command of the stage, decked out in a striking, larger than life outfit that matched the band’s explosive presence. Within seconds, he had the audience in the palm of his hand, effortlessly blending charisma, humour, and raw vocal power.
Opening with ‘This Is The Sound’, the band wasted no time in setting the tone. A thick, rumbling bassline surged through the venue, igniting movement across the crowd. That momentum carried seamlessly into fan favourites ‘Set Frazers’ and ‘Ratrace’, each track landing with precision and force. For the uninitiated, Skindred’s fusion of reggae rhythms and metal intensity might sound unlikely on paper but live, it’s a masterclass in controlled chaos. Every drop, every riff, every offbeat groove feels designed to get bodies moving.
What truly sets Skindred apart is the atmosphere they create. This isn’t just a performance; it’s a shared celebration. Whether it’s the circle pits erupting in the middle of the floor, the mass singalongs, or Webbe’s playful crowd interactions, there’s a constant sense of unity in the room. It’s impossible not to get swept up in it, even for first timers.
Tracks like ‘You Got This’ and ‘Can I Get A’ were met with huge reactions, with fans already shouting back every word as if they’d been part of the setlist for years. It’s a testament to the band’s staying power that, nearly three decades in, they’re still producing music that resonates so strongly in a live setting.
If this tour is anything to go by, ‘You Got This’ isn’t just an album title, it’s a statement of intent. And right now, Skindred are proving it night after night.
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