Music / Ska
Review: The Interrupters, O2 Academy
Billed as a headline show by L.A ska-punk ensemble The Interrupters, it’s fair to say the stellar support bill has done its part to shift tickets at tonight’s near sold out show at O2 Academy. This is arguably one of the city’s bigger venues, catering to much bigger acts and allowing room for moshing and skanking, this didn’t stop revellers throwing shapes despite the sold out and packed circumstances.
London scene veterans Buster Shuffle open proceeding with a take on ska that nods to the formative sounds of The Specials and experimental period of The Clash. Jet Baker is a virtuoso, handling vocals, organ and some brilliantly retro dancehall piano solos without missing a note, and finding room to still bait the early evening crowd into some dancing. They’re well received and performatively ‘confirm’ a Bristol show for April with their agent while mid-set. It’s sure to be a great knees up at The Louisiana.
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Being awarded well over an hour, this feels more a co-headline than a support slot from The Skints. The London reggae heroes dip into all their albums taking in diversions into ska, dub and punk as MVP Marcia Richards proves she could master any instrument under the sun. Though their music isn’t quite as energetic as the bands either side of them tonight, they’re far and away the most accomplished performers and in Richards have a peerless multi-instrumentalist.
The Interrupters bring a riotous energy to the venue, the floor transforming into a seething ocean of limbs as soon as they kick into first song ‘A Friend Like Me’, chugging power chords interweaving with offbeat ska verses and shameless sing along choruses. A cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘Bad Guy’ is unexpected and goes down a storm, complete with wonky trombone solo.
It’s easy to poke fun at ska music, but it’s far harder to deny the unadulterated joy it sparks in a large group of people who don’t stop moving for nearly three hours of music tonight. The Interrupters have spent enough time around Green Day to come prepared with lots of tricks to wind the crowd up, eliciting hand claps, call and response vocals and giving each band member an intro towards the end of the set.
A heartwarming moment comes when lead singer Aimee “Interrupter” Allen makes her way through the crowd to sing in the accessible seating area, making a few fans evenings with hugs and high fives. This is a band that cares about their fans and their community, through their songs, through their actions and through the camaraderie they’ve fostered on this tour. Having sold double the amount of tickets tonight as their last trip to Bristol, you wouldn’t bet against them going one better next time round.
All images by Phil Watson
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