I had the opportunity to see the band Enter Shikari at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. I hadn't listened to the band much beforehand, so I was excited to see the boys in action. They're an English four piece post-hardcore band that incorporate electronica into their sound.
Just minutes before ES graced the stage, there was an uproar. It was the crowd chanting "SHI-KAR-I" repeatedly, sounding ready to go. The lights went down, the audience grew louder, and four British boys stepped up, instrument-clad. As they were starting into their first loud and powerful tune, there was something that came over those in the pit, causing them to start thrashing and moving around. The energy in the room escalated and you could hear the band having their very own lyrics shouted back at them.
At one point, the lead singer Roughton suggested the crowd make a human pyramid, because they were symbolic of "brotherhood and togetherness". I watched skeptically, not expecting for anyone to actually pull it off. However, some boys in the crowd climbed on each other's shoulders, reaching a crazy height that was unbelievable. Shortly after, Roughton ran up the stairs to the balcony, sang up there, and contemplated jumping off by standing on the edge. He thought better of just going back down the stairs, and went back down them and returned to the stage.
Never once did their sound falter, no matter how out of breath or exhausted. It was incredible; they didn't show a single sign of fatigue. The shredding guitar, thumping drums and bass, with the wonderful vocals on top of it made the show that much more engaging.
The band's energy was intense, yet terribly less than the band before them, letlive. If letlive. had not been before them, it would've been different. Shikari's jumping around and running about was contagious, making the crowd even more excited.
Enter Shikari put on a fun hardcore show, and provided a good time for everyone in the room. I was thoroughly impressed with their set, and wonderful musicianship.