The Enemy at Asylum, Hull Review

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The Enemy
The Enemy

10 years is both a long time and no time at all in the music industry. For fans of The Enemy, the 10 years that have passed since their last studio album has been a lifetime. But the fact it’s been 18 years since the release of their iconic debut album ‘We’ll Live and Die in These Towns’ is barely believable.

After coming out on stage to ‘Baba O’Reilly’, frontman Tom Clarke insisted on the Hull crowd matching the energy of their previous show in Glasgow before launching into the jagged guitar riffs of their debut album’s opener ‘Aggro’. Beating out the Glaswegians is always a tough ask, but the Hull crowd gave it a good effort.

But the words “I’m so sick, sick, sick and tired” truly kick-started the night. The irresistible chorus of ‘Away From Here’ was the first real sing along moment of the night, and a surprise early inclusion in the night’s set list.

The Enemy Debut Album

They continued to roll out hits from their debut album with ‘Pressure’ and ‘Had Enough’, before a first taste of their upcoming album. Keen fans of the band will have heard ‘Not Going Your Way’ since its release a week ago, but even those who were unfamiliar couldn’t resist its foot stomping rhythms.

But then it was straight back to 2007 again. The room filled with horn sounds that whipped the crowd into a frenzy for the band’s most iconic hit. ‘We’ll Live and Die in These Towns’ has gained a new generation of fans, particularly for those with a connection to Coventry City FC. But regardless of age or football team affiliation, it was a truly unifying moment as every word was shouted back to the band who lapped up the crowd’s appreciation.

While it’s a song written about experiences of growing up in Coventry, everyone across the UK, especially in places like Hull, can take these lyrics to heart.

They stuck with their debut album for a couple more songs, firstly with ‘You’re Not Alone’ and then getting the crowd moving again with the indie disco rhythms of ‘Technodanceaphobic.

The first part of their set ended with ’40 Days and Nights’, which they interpolated with the chorus of ‘Ghost Town’ from fellow Coventry legends, The Specials. It was a fitting reference, with both bands’ social commentary originating from the same West Midlands streets.

Highlights

When they returned, they treated the crowd to the currently unreleased ‘Trouble’. With the crowd suitably excited for their upcoming album, they launched into highlights from their other albums.

The rock heavy riffs of ‘Be Somebody’ and ‘Gimme the Sign’ showed they weren’t just a one album wonder. They also briefly dipped into ‘Saturday’, which has another catchy chorus that casual fans may have not heard in years.

Finally there was a chance for crowd and band members alike to catch their collective breaths as Tom Clarke showed off his impressive vocal range on the reflective ‘Happy Birthday Jane’.

The respite didn’t last for long though. Next was the sonically ambitious ‘Music For The People’ lead single ‘No Time For Tears’ which filled the room with whirling waves of noise.

This Song

Closing out the set was fan favourite ‘This Song’, also known as ‘This Song Is About You’. Even their most tender and reflective songs include their trademark cynical social commentary, with lines such as “Half the kids that aren’t pushing prams are pushing pills to boys and girls who are half their age” belted by the most faithful fans present in Hull. 

However, the real draw of the song is its iconic sing along chorus, and the repeated refrain of “This song is about you” to close it out.  The refrain could have continued long into the night as both band and crowd alike were reluctant to let the moment end.

The tour has been an opportunity for The Enemy to build excitement for their new material with fans. But as a band that’s never afraid to reflect on their roots, it’s only fitting that they treated the loyal fans present to a set that also included pretty much all of their beloved album ‘We’ll Live and Die In These Towns’.

Sam Campbell
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