Legendary British Rock band Skunk Anansie have announced an exclusive UK live stream, TONIGHT, of a 50 minute edit of their new DVD, on their Youtube channel ahead of official release on Monday.
Recorded on April 15, 2013 at Belgravia’s storied Cadogan Hall, home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, An Acoustic Skunk Anansie – Live in London sees renowned British rock band Skunk Anansie serving up beautifully re-imagined versions of some of their best-loved songs before an enrapt audience of 900 fans. Tickets for the event sold out within hours of going on sale and having seen the finished results it’s easy to see why. An Acoustic Skunk Anansie is an intimate portrait of a band boldly toying with convention and their own illustrious history, it’s a timely reminder that, even as Skunk Anansie approach their 20th anniversary as a band, the Londoners retain the power to provoke and surprise.
Lead singer, Skin, said of the event – “It was really special…. It showcased a whole new side to the band. When you strip everything back a lot of the beauty and vulnerability and menace of the songs shines through in totally new ways, the nuances of the writing really comes through. And people were really listening, really concentrating, instead of jumping up and down and stagediving as is the norm at our concerts. Even though most of the audience had probably seen us play before, at some points it must have been as if they were hearing the band for the very first time”.
Drawing upon material from all five of Skunk Anansie’s studio albums (plus the Smashes And Trashes compilation, released in 2009 to celebrate the band’s return from a nine year hiatus), An Acoustic Skunk Anansie – Live In London is an astonishing document of the night. From bruised and beautiful set opener Brazen (Weep) through to the funky, Zeppelin-esque stomp of Charlie Big Potato which brought the evening to a euphoric climax, it’s a unique snapshot of an iconic band performing at the peak of their powers.
The album also sees the band serve up a spine-tingling take on Paul Weller’s You Do Something To Me (a highlight of The Modfather’s acclaimed Stanley Road collection) which proves beautifully suited to Skin’s honeyed vocals.
The UK premiere will take place at 7pm today over on http://www.youtube.com/skunkanansieofficial, and their Google+ page. The screening will be followed by a Q and A with the band from a London press screening held earlier today.
