PICTURES: The Enemy @HMV Empire, Coventry 08/05/26

The Enemy performed at HMV Empire in Coventry on Friday 8th May 2026 and band photographer Emilie Cotterill captured these stunning black and white images from the energetic gig.

 

PRESS: Coventry Telegraph - How A Song Written In 10 Minutes United Coventry

 

The Enemy in Coventry (📷: Emilie Cotterill)

The Enemy featured in an article inside the Coventry Telegraph, written about the iconic track 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns'. This is what Claire Harrison and Rachel Stretton wrote for the local newspaper:

In 2007, three lads from Coventry released a song that didn’t just climb the charts—it became the heartbeat of a city.

As The Enemy took to the stage at the We Are Back Live event earlier this week, celebrating Coventry City’s promotion in front of 50,000 fans, the story behind their most iconic anthem, We’ll Live and Die in These Towns, came full circle.

The track, which saw the promotion-winning squad join the band on stage for a massive singalong, has a surprisingly humble origin.

Frontman Tom Clarke revealed that the "little song" was written in just ten minutes nearly twenty years ago. Far from a polished studio production, it was born out of the gritty reality of life in the West Midlands, inspired by a "dilapidated flat" on Far Gosford Street and the local characters at The Oak Inn.

What started as a raw reflection on the frustrations of a working-class generation—centered on the poignant line, "It never happens for people like us" —has evolved into a symbol of resilience. From a "ten-minute" writing session to an anthem roared by tens of thousands at the War Memorial Park, the song remains the ultimate "them against us" rallying cry.

 

Following the "beyond words" promotion party, the band has confirmed they will celebrate the song’s 20th anniversary with a massive homecoming show at the Coventry Building Society Arena on March 20 next year.

 

Article available here: https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/story-enemys-anthem-how-song-33906335 

Review: The Enemy - HMV Empire, Coventry 08/05/26

 

The Enemy on stage

Just a few days after headlining in their home city in front of over 50,000 people, The Enemy were back in Coventry. This time it was at the HMV Empire, with a full gig - which was arranged after a record signing event had an unforeseen family medical emergency back in February.

The Enemy performing their closing track 

Fans were not left disappointed as Tom,Andy and Liam proved why The Enemy have such a love with music, fans and Coventry. This was not a football crowd, but their were plenty of Sky Blue supporters in attendance. This gig brought together younger and older men and women. It united new Enemy fans with those that first followed the trio back in 2007.

Fans - young and old!

The atmosphere was charged and ready to go as soon as The Enemy arrived on stage. Classic tracks from the debut number one album were belted out, with the crowd jumping and singing along to Pressure, 40 Days And 40 Nights, Away From Here and Technodanceaphobic. The Enemy proved they are more than a one album outfit and they were not afraid to play tracks from their second, third and fifth albums. Be Somebody, No Time For Tears, and even the intro to the Elephant Song were just some of the tunes on offer. 

The Enemy performing 'Trouble'

The new album also featured during the Coventry gig with Trouble and Not Going Your Way blasting out as part of the set list. Their was a lively mosh pit which remained decent and well behaved (as mosh pits go!). Tom Clarke was in no way encouraging the crowd to surf or go over the barriers ( honestly!), but even then - this was a crowd that were still riding high on emotions from the Coventry City Football Club promotion to the Premier League, watching the band that means so much to Coventry.

The Enemy have grown, without becoming big headed - they have always been passionate about the city, yet mindful not to paint the city in a light that isn't befitting. They know the very things that make up this working class environment and the elements that scream "shit". Then they have been able to translate those feelings into raw lyrics that strike a cord with so many people. We have seen The Enemy find what is important to them, while successfully communicating those feelings in song. The progression over the years is finally paying off and the catalogue of tunes is testament to the band, those that work behind the scenes and the fans who have joined them on this journey. Coventry will always be the home of The Enemy, but their music is bigger than just one city, football club or album.

VIDEO: The Enemy - Be Somebody / We Are The Champions (Live @ We Are Back, Coventry)

 

The Enemy headlined the Coventry City Football Club promotion celebrations at the War Memorial Park on Monday 4th May 2026, with over 50,000 fans celebrating the football's return to the Premier League.

Tom, Andy and Liam performed at the 'We Are Back' event, including 'Be Somebody' from the second album Music For The People (2009).

VIDEO: The Enemy - This Song Is About You (Live @ We Are Back, Coventry)

The Enemy performed This Song Is About You at the War Memorial Park as part of Coventry City Football Club's promotion to the Premier League.

Tom Clarke dedicated the song to Doug King chairman of the football club, the man who turned the club around. Tom told the 50,000+ crowd that the band had performed many times at the park but the view of sky blue made this the best.

 

VIDEO: The Enemy - We'll Live And Die In These Towns (CCFC We Are Back LIVE)

The Enemy headlined the Coventry City Football Club 'We Are Back' celebrations at the War Memorial Park on Monday 4th May 2026. Over 50,000 attended the park to watch the football club lifting the Championship league trophy, cementing their return to the top tier of English football.

We'll Live And Die In These Towns has become the anthem for Cov fans over the past few years and it was fitting The Enemy performed the song at the event. The video above was posted by the football club and captured the live performance. Coventry City manager Frank Lampard looked on admiringly towards Tom Clarke as he belted out the lyrics and young fans joined in enthusiastically.

It was a day that will live on in the memories of Coventry for a long time to come.....

 

The Enemy Headline We Are Back Celebrations In Coventry

The Enemy at Coventry War Memorial Park 

(pic: The Enemy social media)

 Tom Clarke posted this message following the headline performance by The Enemy at the Coventry City Football Club 'We Are Back' celebrations. The football club were promoted to the Premier League after a quarter of a century away.

"Yesterday was one of the most humbling and unforgettable moments of our lives. Seeing Coventry so united as a city is beyond words. Twenty years ago We'll Live And Die In These Towns took about ten minutes to write, inspired by a dilapidated flat on Far Gosford street and scenes in The Oak Inn in central Coventry. To watch our little song become the anthem for Coventry has been unexpected, and more special than we can ever really explain. 

We hope you'll join us on March 20th at the CBS Arena in Coventry, to give We'll Live And Die In These Towns a proper 20th anniversary celebration. 

Can't wait to see you all there."

The Enemy at Coventry War Memorial Park 

 

The Enemy CBS Arena 20th Anniversary Gig

The Enemy - Live at The CBS Arena, Saturday 20th March 2027. 

"As we prepare to perform at War Memorial Park later today to celebrate at the Coventry City FC promotion party, we wanted to share some big news with you first.

2027 marks the 20th anniversary of "We'll Live and Die in These Towns", an album of songs which completely changed our lives. We couldn't think of anything more special than beginning those anniversary celebrations at home in Coventry. 

It's going to be a special year for us and we look forward to seeing you all there.

Thank you for supporting us, and we'll see you down the front.

Tom, Liam & Andy. X"

Sign up now for pre-sale: https://theenemy.os.fan/wladitt20

PRE-SALE ACCESS: Weds 6th May 10:00AM

GENERAL SALE: Fri 8th May 10:00AM 

Coventry Building Society Arena