Life in The Enemy camp is anything but dull as the Coventry band stream full ahead towards the release of their third album 'Streets In The Sky'. The lads were back in London last week to put the finishing touches to the album, planned for release in May 2012. To celebrate the finished work, producer Joby J Ford (pictured left) cracked open a bottle of bubbly with Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts.
Tickets for the first set of gig dates (see box top right) have been flying out and fans have been full of praise for the free track 'Gimme The Sign'. The Enemy will be filming a brand new video 'Saturday' on Wednesday 7th March 2012 which the band said, "Should be fun, great tune!" No release date for the single has been announced yet but more details will be released in the coming days.
Andy Hopkins posts a picture from the video shoot for 'Saturday'
The Enemy are familiar faces at the NME Awards, having won Best New Band in 2008. Here are two pictures from this weeks award ceremony from Brixton O2 Academy, London. Even though Andy Hopkins managed to drop his phone into his pint on the night!
The Enemy sit ready and waiting for the NME Awards to start (PIC: Dan Kendall/NME)
The Enemy arrive at the 2012 NME Awards show in London (PIC: Vic Frankowski/NME)
Here are some of the stills from The Enemy video shoot for 'Gimme The Sign'. The band are giving the single away FREE - just head over to their Facebook page for more details....
Tom Clarke reveals his ten point plan to great gigs as excitement builds towards The Enemy tour and festival dates (see top right for dates):
1. Band writes a great album with sing along tunes.
2. Band practices until they are shit hot live. Then....
3. Fans, already excited about great tunes, buzz off what's about to happen.
4. Band senses buzz. Then...
5. Crowd can no longer contain excitement. They erupt.
6. Band get properly excited.
7. Fans sense excitement.
8. Fans buzz off that more...
9. Crowd create an atmosphere that the band knows they won't forget.
10. Band knows this, and plays better than ever to make it perfect.
The official video for The Enemy'Gimme The Sign' is now out and proves the Coventry band are back on form as they performed the song in their hometown at the city centre S7ven venue recently. Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts are well and truly back with a bang and if this song is anything to go by - we can expect the album, Streets In The Sky to be one of the musical highlights of 2012.
Fans can download the single for free by visiting The Enemy official websites.
The Enemy will be performing at both V Festival and T In The Park this summer. Tom Clarke had told fans the band would be playing several festivals this year, but had to remain tight lipped until the official announcements. The final batch of tickets for T In The Park will be on sale Wednesday morning (29/02/12) at 9am, with Kasabian, Snow Patrol and the Stone Roses headlining the festival in Fife on on July 6- 8th . The Enemy will be performing at T In The Park on Sunday 8th July. For more information visit: T In The Park website.
Last night the V Festival line-up was revealed and the Coventry lads will be back in Staffordshire on Saturday 18th August 2012 and Sunday 19th August 2012. The Stone Roses will be headlining along with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, The Killers and Snow Patrol. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 2nd March 2012. For more information visit the V Festival website.
The Enemy - Gimme The Sign (with on screen lyrics)
I've added the studio version of 'Gimme The Sign' to the recent live recording at S7ven nightclub in Coventry, so now everyone can sing-a-long because the lyrics are on the screen.
Enjoy!
Don't forget the track is FREE to download as a thank you from The Enemy to the fans. Visit www.theenemy.com and the Facebook link below.
Coventry band The Enemy are giving fans a very special treat - the first single from the new album 'Streets In The Sky' for free. The single will be 'Gimme The Sign' and fans will be able to download it from the two official websites www.theenemy.com and at www.facebook.com/theenemy.
As we revealed previously, Radio 1's Zane Lowe will showcase the single on his show (21/02/12) and then fans will be able to download the single from the links above. Tom Clarke explained why the band were giving the track away for free, "because we have the most dedicated loyal fans in the world, you've stuck with us through thick and thin, through the highs of Wembley and through complete radio silence. Our way of showing you that we appreciate the support, and that we love you guys is to give you this one, and wet your appetites for the album."
Fans will be able to let Radio 1 and Zane Lowe know what they think of Gimme The Sign by sending a text to 81199 after the track is played on the show. Tom Clarke went on to say, "Let radio know what you think. The only way we'll get guitar music back in the charts is if the public mobilise and make it happen. We can make great albums, but only the public can make great bands."
Gimme The Sign FREE DOWNLOAD will be available from:
The Enemy have finally revealed the name for the third album, they have called it 'Streets In The Sky'. The name relates to a block of flats in Sheffield (Park Hill), completed in 1961 but subject to much controversy ever since. A BBC documentary 'Saving Britain's Past' featured the flats that became a listed building in 1998. The title reflects the gritty real aspect of life in Britain for many people.
The first three tour dates were also revealed with Manchester, Glasgow and London kicking off the tour. Tom Clarke described the dates as 'a little appetiser to the years full explosive live calendar.' with more dates and diverse venues to be announced over the coming months.
23rd May - Manchester Academy, Manchester
24th May - Shepherds Bush Empire, London
25th May - Glasgow Barrowlands, Glasgow
The Enemy will also be performing at Live at Leeds Festival on Saturday 5th May 2012 (Bank Holiday weekend) Tickets for the festival are available from www.lunatickets.co.uk, while tickets for The Enemy tour are available from their official website www.theenemy.com
Tom Clarke told fans on his official blog, "We're making a proper effort to bring you the shows you want to see, not to just start the bus and jump on the standard gig circuit. Don't panic, there will be more live dates announced soon and a full tour. After these select shows we'll be making some festival appearances, because of the nature of festivals we can't announce which ones yet, but let me tell you, I know which ones we're playing, and who with, and it's going to be the best festival season we've ever done!"
The Enemy frontman continued by saying, "After festivals there will be a full on Enemy headline tour. We intend to play the longest set we've ever played. Pretty much the whole of the first album, the special moments off the second that everybody loved, and an absolute barrage of new exciting big songs from Streets In The Sky. The hard part with this album, is deciding which ones we have to leave out, because they're all bangers. Everybody has a different favourite, and every song is a gem!"
Streets In The Sky will be released late spring and follows on from the chart topping debut album 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' and the #2 follow up album 'Music For The People'. For the latest updates visit www.theenemy.com or click the official website links below.
Follow The Enemy on and
Streets In The Sky - gets inspiration from the Sheffield flats
Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe will be the first radio station to play The Enemy's new single 'Gimme The Sign'. The track will feature during Zane's Tuesday evening programme (Tues 21st February 2012 from 7-9pm) around 7.20pm.
Tom Clarke said, "Seriously, it's an honour to be on @zanelowe again. He was the first Radio 1 DJ to play The Enemy, a long term pioneer of great guitar music." Tom told Zane, "We are all BUZZING for 2012 in The Enemy Camp! Excitement is off the scale!"
Fans were quick to respond to the news on Twitter prompting Tom to respond to all the messages with these words, "We've worked our bollocks off, and when I see you lot on twitter mobilising for the cause it makes me proud as fuck. Thankyou!" More good news for fans of The Enemy is expected tomorrow (Tues 21/02/12) when the band reveal details of their UK tour ahead of the third album release. Tom, Liam and Andy were back in the studio this week putting the final touches to the album with Joby J Ford.
VIDEO: The Enemy - Gimme The Sign
Hundreds of fans were treated to the first public performance of several new tunes at a special homecoming gig in Coventry last Thursday (16/02/12) at S7ven nightclub, the setlist included Gimme The Sign - which will be featured on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show. The video for Gimme The Sign is currently being prepared for release alongside the single, but amateur footage recorded at the gig has already appeared on YouTube(watch the video above to get an idea of what the track sounds like). The Enemy are also expected to announce festival dates over the coming weeks.
Here are all 14 videos from The Enemy gig at S7ven nightclub in Coventry, recorded on Thursday 16th February 2012.
The Enemy returned to Coventry with a bang - a gig fans would never forget! Tom Clarke, Andy Hopkins, Liam Watts and Tom Boddy did what The Enemy do best ..... they played great tunes that fans love.
S7ven nightclub was crammed full and the atmosphere was electric as The Enemy took to the stage. There were no barriers, no heavy handed security - this was a date with The Enemy and their fans. No-one left disappointed because The Enemy know how to deliver on what they do best.
Fans from around the world tuned in for the live stream of the event, hosted on the official website www.theenemy.com and other websites. The following videos were recorded by robmacca - the aim was to try and capture the excitement within the crowds. Even when everyone is jumping up and down, singing along and enjoying every moment, the videos show just how lively The Enemy performances are. While the sound/picture quality of the videos do not do The Enemy justice, hopefully you will get a flavour of what the upcoming tour and festivals will be like.
VIDEOS: The Enemy @S7ven, Coventry - all 14 songs in one playlist.
The local newspaper published this article about what the fans thought of The Enemy's comeback gig at S7ven in Coventry. Warren Manger who was at the gig and wrote the story, has championed the music scene in Coventry for a long time. His review of The Enemy at S7ven is also reproduced below (read The Music Abyss for more from Coventry's music scene)
COVENTRY kids The Enemy stepped back onto the stage to treat hundreds of fans to a compelling comeback show.
A capacity crowd packed bar S7ven at the old city fire station for the momentous show, which saw The Enemy debut five tracks from their eagerly-awaited third album.
Meanwhile, an estimated 30,000 fans tuned in online to watch the gig – which was recorded for the band’s new music video, Gimme The Sign.
They were treated to a host of classic Enemy tracks, plus five new tracks from their third album, due later this year.
After the show on Thursday night, many fans took to Twitter hailing it a huge success.
Rob McArdle, from The Enemy unofficial blog, said: “The crowd went wild – lots of crowd surfing and new tunes are mint.
“The band ripped it up, the place was exploding with energy.”
The Enemy announced the intimate gig online three weeks ago.
Tickets went on sale immediately and sold out in seconds.
Fans began queuing outside the venue long before the doors opened at 8pm to secure a spot at the front and get their faces on the video.
During the show they were treated to a sneak peak at five new tracks including This Is Real, Saturday and Bigger Cages, Longer Chains.
After the gig The Enemy frontman Tom Clarke tweeted: “Thank you to everyone at the video shoot.
“Amazing, you lot made it epic! Can’t praise you enough.”
The comeback gig prompted such excitement The Sun’s showbiz editor Gordon Smart even sought some relief from the scandal that has engulfed the newspaper by heading to Coventry to see the show.
He saw the band – Clarke, bassist Andy Hopkins and drummer Liam Watts – produce arguably their most thrilling show since their Godiva Festival slot in 2007.
After the gig, he tweeted: “Fair play to Tom, Andy and Liam. Rock’n’roll spirit is alive and well in Coventry tonight.”
The gig was hosted by the Panic rock and roll club night at S7ven.
It was organised by promoter John Dawkins, who also works with and is a close friend of the band.
It is the second big name he has attracted to the venue in a week.
Last Friday, Reverend & The Makers played an intimate set there to warm up for their slot supporting Noel Gallagher on his solo arena tour.
Coventry music historian Pete Chambers tweeted: “The Enemy are back, they nailed it tonight.
“Made me proud to be from Cov all over again, thanks to Dawks.”
THERE is something special in the air as the crowd at S7ven in Coventry wait for The Enemy to take to the stage for their big comeback.
It evokes memories of the trio's famous slot at the Godiva Festival in 2007.
On that occasion both the band and their fans knew they were celebrating the dawn of a new era, with their debut album We'll Live And Die In These Towns set to enter the charts at number one the next evening.
Tonight is all about rebirth.
Second album Music For The People featured some stunning highlights but failed to capture the public's imagination in the same way as their first.
So the band went away and regrouped, enlisting the help of punk rocker Joby Ford to reinvigorate their music and capture their live sound on record.
(Ford's influence is acknowledged tonight by bassist Andy Hopkins, who wears a t-shirt promoting his band The Bronx).
The crowd sense they are about to be treated to a momentous occasion.
They are the privileged few hundred who happened to be online at the moment the show was announced and tickets immediately went on sale.
Thousands more only heard about the intimate comeback gig after it had sold out.
Promoter John Dawkins - a close confident of the band and organiser of Panic, the rock and roll night at S7ven which is hosting their comeback - is quick to remind them of that.
"There are 30,000 people watching this online," he says, goading the crowd to go wild for the cameras.
"We're the lucky ones."
This gig may be designed to debut new material, but The Enemy are seasoned enough to know they need to lay the groundwork first.
Entering to the familiar refrain of Too Much, Too Young the band launch straight into the unbridled antagonism of Aggro before merging seamlessly into the hit singles Had Enough and Away From Here.
By the time they have ripped through that titanic trilogy the crowd are whipped into enough of a frenzy for the band to reel out Gimme The Sign - the new single for which they are filming the video.
More new tracks follow - the full throttle Bigger Cages, Longer Chains, the yearning This Is Real (already released as a demo), Saturday and 1234 Ready To Go.
These are interspersed with established favourites such as This Song Is About You, No Time For Tears and Happy Birthday Jane.
Frontman Tom Clarke has previously promised the new tracks are the most muscular the band have penned to date - a welcome return to their hard rocking roots.
On this evidence he was not exaggerating.
These new tracks - fuelled by the same spirit of rebellion that inspired their earlier highlights - are uncompromising to say the least.
In light of Clarke's recent comments on the state of the charts you might easily brand them a rallying cry for rock and roll - even a declaration of war against the insipid singles of polished pop that currently dominate the airwaves.
Lighters aloft sing-a-long We'll Live And Die In These Towns was always one of The Enemy's more measured moments.
Now, nestled alongside their breakneck new material, it seems positively slow and sentimental.
This draws a wry joke from Clarke as the acoustic guitar kicks in.
"Right, now we're gonna play you some James Blunt," he quips, before swiftly assuring the crowd this is not the case.
In The Enemy camp the sense of excitement surrounding their third album is reaching fever pitch. (Dawkins in particular is emphatic when describing how far superior it is to their previous work).
However, the band inevitably return to perennial favourite You're Not Alone to close the set.
It is more than just their standard, it is the very embodiment of their shared identity with every other frustrated Coventrian who still mourns the decline of this great city.
As such it will always mean more to those fervent fans going doolally on the dancefloor at S7ven than it will to crowds in any other city.
By the time the song reaches its climax the venue is bouncing so violently it seems the city walls visible from the window - which have stood for 700 years - could come crashing down under the force of the shockwaves.
It ends the gig on a fitting high and sees bassist Hopkins swept out into the crowd to surf across a sea of bodies before returning to the stage, carried aloft like a scene from Danny The Champion of the World.
As the band reluctantly leave the stage Clarke turns to the crowd, raises his beer bottle in silent salute and mouths the words, "We Love You Coventry."
The success of their first two albums has taken the Enemy around the world, bringing them fame and fortune.
However, their ferociously intense bond with the city remains undiminished.
You get the feeling the notion of living and dying in their hometown no longer carries the sense of dread and frustration that it did five years ago.
All that matters right now is that they enjoy the journey.
And on the evidence of this compelling comeback the boys are clearly having the time of their lives - as are they hundreds of fans they are taking along for the ride.
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