CITY Hall was bursting at the seams on Tuesday as Enter Shikari performed as part of their UK tour.

The group are playing venues that are normally missed by established acts in a way to connect to fans more.

And the evidence was that it’s working.

The expectant crowd was kept waiting a little over the scheduled stage time for the headline act but were quickly compensated as Enter Shikari stormed into their set with System.

The auditorium was full of energy, and a stunning light show added to the buzz in the air.

The set saw them visit their most recent album A Flash of Flood of Colour as well as taking the crowd back to their debut Take to the Skies.

Paddington Frisk, which is currently on Radio One’s playlist drew one of the biggest reactions of the night.

Bassist Chris Batten seemed to sympathise with those getting bumped in the audience when he misjudged throwing his guitar into the air and ended up having to pause momentarily to receive treatment for his own bruises.

Then Rou Reynolds disappeared midset, only to be located by the spotlights at the back of the hall on top of the retracted seating.

Finishing with Mothership, the band took their bow before returning for a two-song encore. They concluded with Zzzonked before taking well-deserved cheers from the appreciative crowd.

Supporting the main act were rising stars Hacktivist, who got an amazing reception as they exhibited their flawless split rap vocals over a falling metal guitar grind with crashing drums.

THOM BELK

read interview with Enter Shikari