I absolutely love Band on the Wall, it is an iconic venue which has incredible artists grace its stage. When I saw that Skinshape was playing there I knew I was on to a golden night. Five whole years I have been waiting to see this man live, falling in love with his music deeply during the pandemic, I became nothing short of obsessed with h8is music and sound. His music led me to West African music which opened my tastes further, so I have to thank him for that. I was there, read at the front!
The night started with London’s own singer-songwriter, Rollo Doherty, whose opening set was the stuff dreams are made of. With his smooth falsetto gliding through the room like honey, he had us from the very first high note. One song in, and he’d already won himself a roomful of new fans. Every soaring high, every pensive strum of his guitar brought us deeper under his spell. His stage presence was magnetic—relaxed yet somehow buzzing with energy as he connected with the audience in a way that felt completely unforced. It was a sublime beginning, setting the tone for what was to come with Skinshape and easing us into the night with his own soul-stirring brand of magic.Highly recommend you check out Rollo Doherty.
Then, with the audience primed and our minds open, Skinshape took the stage. And let me tell you—this was the bucket-list gig we’d all been waiting years to witness. There was nothing halfway about it; from start to finish, it was monumental. Will Dorey, the man behind Skinshape, delivered an experience that was just as soulful as we’d hoped, if not more. The mix of his biggest hits and brand-new tracks was a sensory overload of the best kind. From big songs like “I Don’t Know”, sent the crowd into a frenzy of recognition, each lyric and riff washed over us in a wave of bliss. Then, as if to test just how deep he’d hooked us, came “Don’t Call My Name”, swelling with summer-night warmth and nostalgia. And of course, a standout track, “Summer,” became the anthem of the night, vibrating through us like a shared heartbeat.
Skinshape’s stage presence was a steady, entrancing force, but it was Pete, the lead guitarist, who stole the show in the best way possible. This guy didn’t just play his guitar; he felt it, every note ringing out as if it was ripped straight from his soul. Watching him was like witnessing something take over him—music for the soul. With each mind-blowing solo, the room went from cheering to breathless, everyone feeling as though Pete was taking us on his own personal journey. We were transfixed, silent one moment, roaring the next, his music pulling us deeper into the night’s magic.
As each song rolled out, we alternated between awe-struck silence and explosive cheers. With every familiar tune, the crowd erupted; with every new track, they listened intently, heads bobbing and minds expanding as Skinshape led us through his kaleidoscopic world. It was a transcendental experience, a reminder of why we’d been waiting to see him for so long. The night was a one-off, a bucket-list triumph, and by the time the lights came back up, we were all united in the knowledge that we’d been part of something truly spectacular.
When I say I am absolutely in awe of Skinshape I mean it was heart and passion. Until next time - We will see you, at the front!
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