LIVE FROM THE PIT: Skeggs and Soaked

What is a better start to the weekend than having a good time on Friday evening? Coming down to Electric Brixton to see the duo Skegss! Coming all the way from Byron Bay in Australia, the drummer Jonny Lani and vocalist, guitarist and bassist Ben Reed decided one day to reconnect their childhood friendship and started performing together, bringing their surf music garage rock all around the world for fans to enjoy.

Currently promoting their newest album Pacific Highway Music across the UK and Europe, supported by the British indie-punk band Soaked, the band brought their last domestic show to Brixton on 2nd May.

Starting off with almost a halfway full venue and not a very warm welcome, Soaked quickly changed the atmosphere in the audience as they started blasting their discography. Only few songs in, the indie-punkers played their political song ‘Fuck You’, mentioning the richest world leaders, immediately followed by massive cheering and even a moshpit, that was going strong for the rest of the band’s set. The floor of Electric Brixton started to fill up with people rapidly, as many fans, who were observing from the balcony at the beginning swiftly run downstairs and by the end of their set, the floor was almost full, giving the band their deserved applause after an excellent supporting performance, that made the fans eager more for the long-awaited headline gig.

After a short break, and fifteen minutes of confusion, because nothing was happening on the stage, Skegss finally revealed themselves, and from the second the lights went off until the very last one, when they came back on, the crowd showed the band that they are absolutely welcomed and loved in London. Greeted with massive moshpits, which were comic during some songs, that were not as heavy, and crowdsurfers, who at some point, to the horror of the event security, started jumping onto the stage, the band gave their absolute best, throwing unforgettable riffs left and right and even threw an encore song at the end, after the crowd’s endless chanting. The atmosphere of the evening was spectacular, and it was obvious both the fans and the band were pleased with the outcome.

Although there are only two members of the band at the moment, they have managed to secure a bassist for the whole tour, and it was a smart move, as the bassist helped to make the concert more memorable with his engagement and punchy bass lines. By the end of Skegss’ performance, it was hard to say goodbye, but the memories from the gig will absolutely live in the heads of their fans for a long time.

The whole evening was an absolute blast, and the atmosphere throughout both gigs was spectacular. Choosing Soaked as their support was a great move, as the band made the whole venue move around, and it is certain we are going to hear about the band more often in the future. Apart from the late start of the headliner, with no explanation whatsoever, the performance was breathtaking and absolutely cemented Skegss as one of the best bands in their genres. It surely was a night to remember!

Words: Katerina Stepanikova

Photos: Dave Ellits