“WHAT a fucking brilliant way to spend a Saturday, Wickerman,” grinned Tom Clarke. “You’re the best crowd yet Wickerman, and I’m not just sucking arse, we have played a lot of festivals- but you guys are amazing!”
The Enemy played a festival-friendly set of hits largely from their first album We’ll Live and Die in These Towns which they released back in 2007. Then there were short sampling from the proceeding studio albums Music For the People (2008) and Streets in the Sky (2012). But it was during their classic hits that the crowd went mad, largely young and spilling their beer all around them, dancing like mad and chanting along to the for-the-people tunes.
Had Enough, Aggro and Away From Here were all belted out particularly well from the three-piece band who have taken large inspiration from The Jam and Oasis and tunes like That’s Entertainment. Their music famous for chanting about where they grew up in Coventry, and how it was shit and they wanted out of it. These three tracks from their debut number one selling album got the crowd hyped-up nicely for the energetic proceeding forty minutes.
It’s special then, that the band are still doing so well. With the first album going straight to the top of the charts and selling 450,000- the band are still endearing to watch and thankful for the response they are receiving this evening.
This Song brought the tempo down a little and the same ambiance is kept for fan-favourite and title track of the first album We’ll Live and Die in These Towns- the acoustic guitar leading the way for this song all about fights drinking and depression in a small town.
A cover of James- who are due to headline Belladrum Festival this weekend- hit Sit Down was introduced as a cover of one of their favourite songs. The band didn’t need to tell the crowd what to do for this one, as the first chorus approached the crowd -wealthy with kids and families- all sat down on the warm grass from the sunshine. As the chorus began, the crowd jumped up singing along to the hit that was nicely covered by The Enemy and their aggressive guitars.
The band ended their set with You’re Not Alone, another from the debut album. The crowd welcoming another classic track to the set.
As the darkness began to take over Wickerman’s farm, the band ended their set on an absolute high. Their popularity may have dwindled slightly since their indie reign in the noughties, but The Enemy can still pull a crowd, belt out some tunes and charm the audience. What more could you want on a Saturday night.
Words: Nadine Walker
