Not many bands in UK music history can have a debut album go straight to No.1.
However, Indie band The Enemy achieved that with their iconic album “We’ll Live and Die in These Towns” in 2007.
Since their arrival onto the British music scene, they have been a cult favourite. When we look at the history of The Enemy, they have a magic that record labels would absolutely love to bottle. Three UK Top 10 albums with their debut at number one and second album at number two.
Their fans are easily one of the most present groups when it comes to live shows, which was evident even before the band had come on stage – the audience was singing at the top of their lungs to the incredible playlist. Featuring top tracks from Oasis, The Courteeners and James, the atmosphere was brilliant.
The Enemy kicked off their “Indie Till I Die” tour at Leeds O2 Academy and it was definitely worth the midweek late night. Frontman Tom Clarke expressed his love for playing shows in Leeds, saying the crowds were always “well up for it.”
The setlist was a perfect dose of nostalgia without making it their own tribute show. A great handful of big hits, meets lesser known tracks beloved by fans, and even mash ups. Ghost Town by The Specials being sampled was a standout. The band knows their listeners and after 15 years can choose a set list extremely well.
This was a special show for me, I had seen The Enemy live nine years ago when I worked at a record label in London. I remember sitting on the balcony of Kentish Town Forum, amazed to see a blur of beer cups flying around and hearing fans bellowing out an acapella version of “This song is about you”. Their albums were always in our family car’s CD player and me and my older brother could at one point name the track list back to front. To be reunited with a live show again, and see the fans a bit older (the band too) but still as passionate was just brilliant; a credit to the UK music scene.
A common trend by the band is to start their tour in Leeds, and we even had some special guests in the form of one of the band member’s parents on the top balcony. When this was announced by the band, we suddenly saw fans who were close by shaking hands with the family members, and by the end of the night were all arm in arm singing and dancing together.
The opening track of the night was Aggro, and from the get go the crowd was ready for a singsong. Songs such as Away From Here, Had Enough, and We’ll Live and Die in These Towns turned up the already through the roof energy levels, and shone a light on how strong Tom Clarke’s vocals still are. The sound in the venue was crisp: you could hear each bass line, guitar riff and drum beat floating around The O2.
If you are looking for an album that really resonates with people, I cannot recommend We’ll Live and Die in These Towns enough. It follows themes that unite artists like Sam Fender, old school Arctic Monkeys, Jamie T – the grafters of indie rock. Away From Here, narrates someone working to the grave ‘To be a slave to the modern wage, your crappy weekend is your only escape’…when in reality all they want to do is ‘stay at home with Richard and Judy’. Talk about a British culture timestamp.
Overall, the first night on their tour was a brilliant success and it was wonderful to see people really living in the moment, having a nice (but let’s be real – overpriced bev…£16 for two pints of cider – c’mon Leeds O2. Sort it out) and showing appreciation to a band who hold such a significant place in the Indie music scene.
Photography by Millie Stephens.
