Skindred at the Manchester Academy.

By Jim Blunt and Anya Baxter.

Welsh reggae rhythmic metal band Skindred arrived in Manchester for a much anticipated headline show; here's how it went.

Photos by Anya Baxter.

Following support from As Everything Unfolds and P.O.D, Skindred took to the stage to huge applause. Opening with a favourite from their latest album Smile, "Set Fazers" gets the night off to an incredible start. Benji Webbe is an iconic frontman, from the all black crocodile skin leathers and studded sunglasses, to his fantastic voice and stage presence. Following this came "Pressure", with an excerpt from the AC/DC classic, "Back in Black".

Photos by Anya Baxter.

After supporting KISS in 2023, Skindred have more than earned their headline spot at Manchester Academy, and this tour has seen them play London's O2 Arena. The band's popularity has grown massively, and this can be seen from the passion of the crowd. "L.O.V.E. (Smile Please)" saw the audience come together in this uplifting and positive song. "Gimme That Boom" ended the main portion of the setlist, with the same intensity and excitement as the first song, seeing crowd surfers and moshing from the audience. An encore of "Our Religion" and "The Warning" brought the night to a close. It's amazing to see Skindred get the appreciation and support they deserve, and they're definitely going to continue to grow and grow.