After several rescheduled dates due to band and crew illnesses, The Enemy finally made it to Bournemouth – and it was definitely worth the wait. In a gesture that speaks volumes, the band put this show on for free, and the result was a night charged with nostalgia, the highest of energy and a sense of celebration.
Support came from The Howlers, who stormed the stage with so much charm and confidence that you’d be excused for thinking they were the headliner. Sharp and full of rock and roll swagger, their sound resembled a cocktail of Jake Bugg and early Arctic Monkeys, with songs like Matador, El Dorado and Lady Luck already sounding like anthems. Frontman Adam’s cheeky interaction with the crowd – proudly declaring he was from Portsmouth (and met with playful boos) before firing back with “Love you too, babycakes” – only added to the fun. High energy, strong presence and slick production made their set one to remember.
By the time The Enemy took to the stage, the anticipation was at fever pitch. Singer, Tom Clarke, wasted no time whipping the crowd into a frenzy:
“Hello, Bournemouth. Bournemouth, how the f**k are ya? I’ve been waiting to play this gig forever, so I’m gonna ask you once more, Bournemouth, are you gonna f**king have this tonight or what?!” straight into Aggro. From that moment on, the O2 Academy felt electric.
The band sounded sharp and powerful. Tom’s distinctive voice cutting through the noise with precision, Andy Hopkins delivering boundless energy and stage presence on bass, and Liam Watts keeping everything driving and tight from behind the drums. It was a reminder of why these songs still resonate nearly 20 years later. Away From Here was a highlight, the whole room belting out “Away, away, oh, oh oh, away from here” with the same passion it sparked back in 2007.
There was a special atmosphere too – the gig fell on the day that Coventry City Football Club announced they had bought back their stadium, and the team thrashed QPR 7-1. The pride was tangible, with Cov football shirts scattered throughout the crowd, making the night feel even more like a hometown celebration despite it being on the South Coast.
We’ll Live and Die in These Towns still hits as a rallying cry of working-class pride and resilience, while 40 Days & 40 Nights slipped seamlessly into a snippet of Ghost Town by The Specials – a nod to their Coventry roots that had the crowd roaring.
The encore came with a wink from Tom: “I don’t know why bands do that… we left the stage and we just stood over there for two minutes. But bands do it, so, yeah.” It was that mix of humour and honesty that summed up the night; no pretence, just connection. The closing moments were nostalgic and heartfelt. They closed with a reprise of This Song Is About You, slower and more reflective, the perfect comedown after a high-octane night.
Personally, it was surreal to finally see The Enemy live. I remember listening to them on my pink iPod Nano on the bus to school, and nearly two decades later, hearing those same songs sung back by a room full of fans, with so much passion, was proof of their longevity. They haven’t just survived the years, they’ve grown into a band that can fill venues with the same energy, the same gratitude and the same timeless songs.
Tom, Andy, Liam and all the crew – thank you. I can’t wait to see you again, hopefully soon.
The Enemy continue their UK & Ireland tour this October and November, with dates including:
- Fri 10 Oct – O2 Academy, Oxford
- Sat 11 Oct – Dreamland, Margate
- Thu 16 Oct – University Great Hall, Cardiff
- Fri 17 Oct – Electric Ballroom, London
- Sat 18 Oct – Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
- Thu 23 Oct – Limelight, Belfast
- Sat 25 Oct – The Dome, Liverpool
- Thu 30 Oct – Leadmill, Sheffield
- Fri 31 Oct – Beckett SU, Leeds
- Sat 1 Nov – New Century, Manchester
- Thu 6 Nov – Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
- Fri 7 Nov – Asylum, Hull
- Sat 8 Nov – Rock City, Nottingham
- Thu 13 Nov – Portobello Town Hall, Edinburgh (EH6 Festival)
- Fri 14 Nov – HMV Empire, Coventry
- Sat 15 Nov – HMV Empire, Coventry
Tickets available here: https://www.theenemyband.co.uk/tour
