Written by Jared Stossel.
The last time that I actually stood and got the opportunity to watch a full Enter Shikari, one that wasn't presented at a music festival or various Warped Tour dates, it was in 2010. Yep, it was eight years ago. The band were opening up for A Day To Remember and August Burns Red, and their set and style of music meshed perfectly with the headliners of that evening, complete with vocalist Rou Reynolds scaling the balcony of San Francisco's Regency Ballroom for a good portion of the set, before climbing back down. Keep in mind, there was no net or possible ladder. He scaled the goddamn PA system in order to get into the balcony. It was my first introduction to the madness that is an Enter Shikari show, and I was thrilled when I heard that they would be heading through the Bay Area for a stop on their headlining tour.
I was, however, a bit thrown off by the fact that they were included in this year's Noise Pop, a month-long "festival" that takes place throughout numerous Bay Area music festivals. Most of the artists I've seen perform for Noise Pop over the years mostly inhabit the worlds of indie rock, alternative, some electronic here and there. So why was Enter Shikari featured on this bill? I couldn't imagine a post-hardcore act in this world.
All it takes to understand is a single listen to the band's recent effort, The Spark, released independently last September. It retains the powerful and trippy stylings that the band have brought forth on past efforts, while taking their sound in a new direction entirely. The overall sound of The Spark is far more upbeat, fitting in well with an indie-pop audience, while still giving something back to die-hard Shikari fans who have been following their music since albums like 2007's Take To The Skies or 2009's Common Dreads (a personal favorite of mine). The Spark is a bright new step forward in the world of Enter Shikari, and it makes them a perfect addition to the lineup of a festival like San Francisco's Noise Pop.
Tickets for the band's show at Slims tonight (doors at 7 PM, show at 8 PM), can be purchased by clicking here. The band will receive support from Single Mothers, Milk Teeth, and Long Knives.
Enter Shikari
www.entershikari.com
www.facebook.com/entershikari
@ENTERSHIKARI
This has been another Shameless Promotion.