Words by Barrah T Al-Badry
Photos by Renée Bennett
Standing amongst the sold out crowd tonight, it was easy to say the anticipation was infectious. After a
stellar year with their new album Smile, Newcastle NX welcomed the Welsh metal reggae fusion band
to its stage.
Opening the evening was the ever amazing Cody Frost fresh off touring with the band Enter Shikari and
playing 1000 Trees Festival. Coupling gorgeous vocals with an EDM back drop. I was excited for their set
and I was not disappointed.
Followed shortly by UK’s finest Nu Metal rap troop, Blackgold, donning masks and boasting heavy hitting riffs. Lyrically they could easily be straight outta Detroit and one can easily loose track of time focusing in on the music. Thankfully, the troop and the audience were swift snapped back into the present after a Cypress Hill cover by the man himself Benji Webbe as he ushered the time before running back of the stage as the set wrapped up.
Emerging from the shadows into the Imperial March, dressed in all black. The shadow of Webbe was
enough to set the crowd wild before taking to the mic with the song Set Fazers from the new album. The
energy of the crowd never died down growing with every song.
Highlights of the show were Webbes numerous outfit changes in particular for the song L.O.V.E (smile please) where he proclaimed he WON’T start the song until he is properly dressed. After re-emerge in a fuzzy pink hat and scarf, the mellow song with a beautiful message of love, as described in the title, felt like a warm hug spanning across the barrier and the pit straight from the bands heart.
Performing classics including: Rat Race, Babylon, That’s my Jam, Kill the Power and Nobody. After going
Tiktok Viral earlier this year with the song Nobody the younger audience members particularly enjoyed
this song opening up the biggest mosh ready for the famed line from the song before collapsing in for
the chorus.
Finishing the evening with the song Warning joined by Spookz from Blackgold; the
crowd were ready and waiting to perform the ritualistic Newport Helicopter. The perfect ending for all
Fans.
