The Enemy Portsmouth Review

The Enemy @ Portsmouth by Andy Scaysbrook

Here is the review of  The Enemy's Portsmouth gig, as seen in the Southern Daily Echo:

FRESH from supporting Oasis this summer, The Enemy swaggered onto the stage of a packed Portsmouth Guildhall with the atmosphere more akin to that of a football match.

The Coventry three-piece made up of Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts, kicked off with high energy tracks Aggro and Had Enough, which had the crowd dancing and singing.

Fans may be surprised to learn that the setlist is heavily weighted with songs from their platinum-selling first album, We’ll Live And Die In These Towns, although they belted out the latest tunes Be Somebody, No Time For Tears and Sing When You’re In Love.

After just 35 minutes the boys left the stage but returned for an encore almost as long as their set, performing tracks including It’s Not Ok and Happy Birthday Jane.

And it looked like they were enjoying the gig as much as the crowd when Andy Hopkins returned to his crowd-surfing ways before their final song of You’re Not Alone.

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

VIDEO: The Enemy - O2 Academy Birmingham

Here are a selection of videos featuring The Enemy live at Birmingham's O2 Academy. Recorded on Thursday 26th November 2009 from the balcony area, the videos capture the crowds as they enjoy the performance.

The Enemy also covered The Jam's 'In The City' and a brand new song, as seen in the collection below.


The Enemy - In The City


The Enemy - La la la la! (new song)


The Enemy - You're Not Alone


The Enemy - We'll Live And Die In These Towns


The Enemy - Away From Here


The Enemy - Sing When You're In Love


The Enemy - Be Somebody

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy - O2 Birmingham Review

The Enemy were back on stage in Birmingham as their Music For The People Tour almost draws to a close and they performed for the first time at the O2 Academy. While Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts played their hearts out in the packed venue, it seems the most determined people at the O2 were the staff/security - who were determined those seated in the balcony should not enjoy themselves!

Maybe they thought this was a gig that required people to be seated all evening, well I'm sorry to disappoint them but tonight The Enemy were playing and seating is not required! Most people up in  the balcony would have loved to stand up and enjoy the gig, just like the previous gigs at the Carling Academy, but over zealous security prohibited such enjoyment. I was already on my final warning and I knew it was either be kicked out or sit still - I opted to watch the band I love, glued to my seat until the final track.

The Enemy never fail to deliver the goods and I was pleased to see the crowds below getting well and truly into the music as the lads delivered a combination of songs from We'll Live And Die In These Towns and Music For The People as well as a new track (it might have been two new tracks but I must admit I'm not 100% sober yet!).

I've always believed that The Enemy should be proud of their second album, but somehow I've felt they were afraid to play more tracks from Music For The People. Just because the second album didn't have the same effect as the first doesn't mean we the fans don't want to hear it. How many times have we been to a gig and heard a live track and then gone home appreciating the song more than before?

Nevertheless, it was good to see The Enemy and this gig was made all the more special by seeing familiar faces at the venue. It was a tour I didn't think I would get to partake in, as I'd been taking part in strikes as a postman trying to defend jobs and the service. Thankfully it all worked out in the end and it was a joy to once again watch the lads perform.

Watch the video below of The Enemy as they played their final track of the night, we rebelled and all stood up on the balcony and finally got to really enjoy ourselves...............

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

VIDEO: The Enemy Soundcheck

Tom Clarke spoke to Pepsi Maxcast as The Enemy continued their UK Tour and even performed The Verve's 'Drugs Don't Work' during the soundcheck. You can watch the video below and read what Tom had to say about the tour on the Pepsi Maxcast website, HERE.

The Enemy cover The Verve 'The Drugs Don't Work'

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Back National Free Music Lessons

The Enemy have joined others in supporting the launch of a national free music lesson scheme. The programme sees Yamaha's national network of  Music Schools offering free music lessons aimed at introducing people of all ages to music making for the first time. Participants will be asked for a voluntary donation of a few pounds for each lesson session and it's expected substantial funds will be raised for ChildLine, the free helpline for children provided by the NSPCC.

The ambitious programme is open to people of all ages and the tuition will be provided by fully trained music teachers via the 90 strong national network of Yamaha Music Schools which already teaches over 9000 pupils every week, reports LSI Online.

The campaign will have an underlying theme aimed at raising awareness of ChildLine, which is currently able to answer just two thirds of the 2m calls it receives every year from children and young people in distress. A point Yamaha's Ricci Hodgson is keen to reinforce: "Yamaha are really proud to be involved with ChildLine Rocks, recognising the hugely valuable work that ChildLine undertakes. Yamaha is founded on a culture of enriching people's lives through music making, whilst ChildLine offers a lifeline to the most vulnerable children in our community. We'd like to think that this partnership will help the more fortunate to help the less fortunate in our community. "

To supercharge participation and fund raising, this year's programme will culminate at the 2010 ChildLine Rocks Gig at the O2 Indigo, where a band formed from Yamaha Music School pupils will be invited to open the show following a public vote. The band will then become Young ChildLine Rocks ambassadors touring schools to raise funds and awareness following the concert.



*Read full story HERE
* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Visit Jacket Factory

The Enemy might be busy on tour but they took time out to visit a jacket factory, as reported in The Shields Gazette, and reprinted below:

ROCK band The Enemy made a whistlestop visit to a South Tyneside factory after a sell-out gig.

Frontman Tom Clarke, bassist Andy Hopkins and drummer Liam Watts were given a tour of the Barbour factory in South Shields yesterday.

They met the workforce and saw how Barbour's classic wax jackets are made before going into the store at Simonside, where they tried on a selection of jackets from the latest winter collection.

The Coventry-based band, who are touring to promote their second album, Music For The People, dropped in after playing at the 02 Academy in Newcastle on Sunday night.

They were heading to Leeds, where they were playing last night(16/11/09).

Barbour PR manager Sue Newton said "The Enemy are big fans of our brand, and as they were in the area, they asked if they could call in.

"We were delighted to see them, and to show them around the factory and the store."

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

VIDEO: The Enemy @ Sheffield

The Enemy continue their UK tour and rocked Sheffield on Thursday 12th November, our man behind the scenes (Malkit), recorded some videos from his prime location. The video below features Andy Hopkins crowd surfing (4 mins 30 seconds).



Check out Malkit's other videos of The Enemy and Akeal HERE
* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy @ Music Week In Liverpool

The Enemy were in Liverpool performing as part of the cities Music Week and Anthony Mooney took some excellent pictures. The picture above captures Andy Hopkins in full flow as he stage dived into the waiting crowd, just like the old days!

To see more pictures by Anthony Mooney, click HERE or visit his website http://www.anthonymooney.com/

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy To Play Hogmanay

The Enemy have been added to the line up of this year's Edinburgh Hogmanay street party, reports NME magazine.



Taking place in Edinburgh city centre on December 31, the party also features Madness, Noisettes and Frightened Rabbit. The Fratellis' frontman John Lawler's sideproject Codeine Velvet Club are also set to perform at the bash.


Tickets for Edinburgh Hogmanay are on sale now. For more information see Edinburghshogmanay.com.


* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

PICTURES: The Enemy on Rock FM

The Enemy visited Rock FM earlier this year for an interview with In:Demand. The pictures are from the Rock FM website and you can listen to Tom Clarke, Liam Watts and Andy Hopkins as they talked about the last tour.

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Tour Kicks Off

*pic by Huffee

The Enemy have already kicked off their latest tour of the UK with two crowd pleasing performances up north (Preston and Liverpool) ahead of the two dates in Scotland. The lads will then return south of the border for more northern dates.

Fans may be surprised to learn that the setlist is heavily weighted with songs from the first album, 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'. Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts belted out the latest tunes ('Be Somebody', 'No Time For Tears' and 'Sing When You're In Love'). There was also a surprise new song performed ('In The City'), written by Tom while in Preston.

Andy Hopkins even returned to his crowd surfing ways in Liverpool....................

Setlist (variations):

Aggro



Had Enough


No Time For Tears


40 Days And 40 Nights


Away From Here


Technodanceaphobic


Sing When In Love


We'll Live And Die In These Towns


Be Somebody


It's Not Ok


This Song Is About You


Elephant Song

Happy Birthday Jane


You're Not Alone

 

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Edinburgh Gig Cancelled

The Enemy have sadly had to cancel tonight's Edinburgh gig after Tom Clarke went down with a sore throat. The gig will be rescheduled for Tues 1st December 2009.

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Tour Snaps From Pepsi Maxcast

The Enemy have teamed up with Pepsi Maxcast who have compiled a collection of pictures to get fans in the mood for the current tour. The pics include photos from Beachbreak, Glastonbury, Ibiza Rocks  and Summersonic in Japan. Plus check out the pic of two of road crew after Andy and Liam had chucked them in the pool in Ibiza!
Liam Watts also lists The Enemy’s Tour Essentials, which you can read on the Pepsi Maxcast website. Expect more updates on Pepsi Maxcast as the tour rolls on................

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

Vote For The Enemy In XFM's Song Of The Decade

Remember how you felt in 2007 when The Enemy released 'Away From Here'? Well now you can vote for The Enemy as part of XFM's 'Song Of The Decade'. The radio station will  be playing the Top 100 Songs Of The Decade on Saturday November 28 between 11am and 7pm and your vote could win you 100 free iTunes downloads. XFM will select 10 winners at random, so head over to the XFM website HERE and cast your votes.

Show your support for The Enemy by voting for 'Away From Here' as your 'Song Of The Decade'

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

Who Are Supporting The Enemy On Tour November 2009?

The Enemy are touring the UK during November 2009 and listed below are the support acts that will be performing on stage during those gigs.

Lowline : http://www.myspace.com/thisislowline

17 Nov 2009 - Lincoln Engine Shed – Lincoln
19 Nov 2009 - London HMV Forum – London
22 Nov 2009 - Folkestone Leas Cliff – Folkestone
24 Nov 2009 - Portsmouth Guildhall – Portsmouth
26 Nov 2009 - Birmingham O2 Academy – Birmingham
27 Nov 2009 - Leamington Assembly – Leamington
29 Nov 2009 - Manchester Apollo – Manchester


General Fiasco : http://www.myspace.com/generalfiasco


8 Nov 2009 - Liverpool – University-Liverpool
10 Nov 2009 - Edinburgh - Corn Exchange- Edinburgh
11 Nov 2009 - Glasgow Academy - Glasgow
12 Nov 2009 - Sheffield Academy - Sheffield
15 Nov 2009 - Newcastle Academy - Newcastle
16 Nov 2009 - Leeds Academy - Leeds Academy
17 Nov 2009 - Lincoln Engine Shed – Lincoln
19 Nov 2009 - London HMV Forum – London
22 Nov 2009 - Folkestone Leas Cliff – Folkestone
24 Nov 2009 - Portsmouth Guildhall – Portsmouth
26 Nov 2009 - Birmingham O2 Academy – Birmingham
27 Nov 2009 - Leamington Assembly – Leamington
29 Nov 2009 - Manchester Apollo – Manchester

Akeal : http://www.myspace.com/akeal

7 Nov 2009 - 53 Degrees - PRESTON
8 Nov 2009 - Mountford Hall - LIVERPOOL
10 Nov 2009 - Corn Exchange - EDINBURGH
11 Nov 2009 - O2 Academy - GLASGOW
12 Nov 2009 - O2 Academy - SHEFFIELD
15 Nov 2009 - O2 Academy - NEWCASTLE
16 Nov 2009 - O2 Academy - LEEDS

The Enemy full UK tour is:

Sat 07 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ 53 Degrees Preston Buy Tickets

Sun 08 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Liverpool University Buy Tickets

Tue 10 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Edinburgh Corn Exchange Buy Tickets

Wed 11 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Glasgow O2 Academy Buy Tickets

Thu 12 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Sheffield O2 Academy Buy Tickets

Sun 15 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Newcastle O2 Academy SOLD OUT

Mon 16 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Leeds O2 Academy Buy Tickets

Tue 17 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Lincoln Engine Shed Buy Tickets

Thu 19 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ London HMV Forum Buy Tickets

Fri 20 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Norwich UEA Buy Tickets

Sat 21 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Folkestone Leas Cliff Buy Tickets

Tue 24 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Portsmouth Guildhall Buy Tickets

Thu 26 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Birmingham O2 Academy Buy Tickets

Fri 27 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Leamington Assembly SOLD OUT

Sun 29 Nov 2009
The Enemy @ Manchester Apollo Buy Tickets

* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com

The Enemy Booked For Snowbombing Festival 2010

The Enemy are set to rock the Snowbombing Festival in the mountainous Mayrhofen region of Austria. The location will offer a combination of live music and extreme sports from 5 - 10 April 2010 with the Editors, Doves, Friendly Fires, De La Soul and Vitalic all confirmed as performers.

Dizzee Rascal has described the festival, "It's like Ibiza in the snow." Full details can be found on the official website HERE

*PIC: Ed Mills/NME
* OFFICIAL Enemy website: http://theenemy.com