Live report SKUNK ANANSIE & SO GOOD, Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Hamburg – March 17th, 2025

Skunk Anansie are one of the forerunners of 90s alternative rock and crossover. The band from London, UK significantly inspired a whole era of rock music and had a real hit single with “Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)”. What counted more than the big hit were the longplayers, of which “Post Organismic Chill” even made it into the German album top 10. After a hiatus of a few years, Skunk Anansie returned with new music in 2010. Prior to the release of their seventh studio album “The Painful Truth”, the band embarked on a tour of Europe / UK, including a show at the Alsterdorfer Sporthalle in Hamburg.

Opening act tonight is a young band from the UK. So Good is the name of this outfit and I haven’t heard either the band name or the music. Their show starts with a guitarist and a drummer on stage. Both are wearing pink ski masks. In a way they remind me of Pussy Riot. Besides the two guys, So Good is mainly three girls who share the vocals. So Good are brat-pop pioneers and it takes a while to fully enjoy their music. The band plays a fusion of hip-hop and punk, which, combined with a very energetic stage performance, unfolds a strong, anarchic vibe. It is a rebellious spirit that fills the hall and although the music is slightly different from Skunk Anansie, the attitude fits perfectly. So Good play 25 minutes that are quite entertaining. It’s not only the music that grabs your attention. The lyrics are also tongue in cheek and deal with political, social and gender issues. So Good did a great job of getting the crowd in the right mood for the main act and probably have a few new fans.

(click on pics to enlarge)

Skunk Anansie start their set with “This Mean War” and the song from 2020 is a very relevant opener that raises the temperature in the venue in no time. The fans seem to be really hungry for Skunk Anansie songs, because the great atmosphere in the arena remains throughout the whole show. The center of a Skunk Anansie show is without a doubt Skin. The singer not only has a great and very powerful voice. She is fully present on stage. She moves around all the time. She has a great mimic and her eyes tell a lot of stories. Seeing and listening to this iconic singer is a holistic experience.

Besides the music, there is also a message that comes with a Skunk Anansie concert. It is about uniting instead of dividing. It is about caring for the weak and focusing on love. It is this attitude and the very authentic performance that is honored by the fans of the British powerhouse. Skin and fans, that is a unity that is also evident during “I Can Dream”.

I mentioned the upcoming album and tonight three songs act as a teaser for what will hit the shelves in May. “An Artist is an Artist” comes quite early in the set, while “Animal” and “Cheers” act as energizers in the lower part of the setlist. The new material fits perfectly with the band’s classics, and it is “Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)” that is the highlight for many fans. Especially the chorus leads to a loud sing-along and there is no doubt that everyone present tonight knows this rock anthem from the 90s.

Combined with a pretty good sound, Skunk Anansie underline why they belong to the pioneers of alternative rock. It is an electrifying show that the band plays tonight. With every song they perform, the atmosphere in the room gets better and better. Skin encourages the fans to dance and jump – a demand that almost no one can resist.

An energetic version of “Tear the Place Up” ends the regular part of the set before the band returns on stage for the encore. After “Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good)” and “Cheers”, Skin asks for a sexy riff that is delivered right away. It is the “Iron Man” riff, which soon turns into “Whole Lotta Love”. Skin uses the momentum to introduce the band before “Little Baby Swastikkka” and “You’ll Follow Me Down” herald the end of a stellar rock show.

Skunk Anansie made this night special. Even though they have been in the business for many years, the band and its members are fully committed to powerful music and the heart of a rebel beats strongly. It might be the time when bands like Skunk Anansie, but also So Good, are needed, because there is enough crazy stuff going on in this world. So let’s be rebellious and let Skunk Anansie provide the soundtrack.