In the third part of Rou’s tour blog, the Enter Shikari frontman discovers the joys of soul covers and poke bowls in Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee
It’s our day off and I’m walking down Beale Street in Memphis. A thriving tourist hub, rich in music history. I’m being bombarded with live blues and soul music, it booms proudly out of every single bar. I take a seat in an open-air club and am blown away by an incredible covers band. They’re taking requests so I decide on Higher And Higher by Jackie Wilson and Across 110 Street by Bobbie Womack. Both classics I discovered amongst my dad’s extensive soul collection as a kid. After a maximum of one minute of conferring, the band have apparently worked out the riffs and they bust out the tracks perfectly, the singer simply remembering all the lyrics with no aid (Christ, I barely remember our own lyrics half the time). Now yes, I could have really tested ‘em by requesting There’s A Price On Your Head by Enter Shikari… but still, I was blown away by their musicianship and talent.
Onward to Nashville. Another city, of course, with a rich musical heritage.
It’s back to work, though, and in soundcheck we talk about slipping No Sssweat (a track from our first album) back into the set. Chris has some issues remembering his bass lines, so we decide to park the idea for a few days time so we can polish it. We’ll never have the speed of a covers band in Memphis!
Strangely - and for the first time in a while - during the show that evening, we get shouts for No Sssweat. Enjoying this peculiar coincidence, we decide to have a pop at it.
Cue compete mayhem.
I find these shows so interesting. This is one of the smallest shows Shikari will play this year. There can’t be many more than 150 people in this venue, but the passion and energy from every single one of them (on a Monday night!) is substantial.
There’s no money from shows like this. No financial reason for us to be here at all (not that that has ever mattered for us), but I can tell you there’s a whole lot of soul, baby. And that is Shikari’s fuel. I fucking eat souls. Souls are my nutrients.
Talking of nutrients: Today I discovered poke bowls! (SWITCH!)
I know, I know. They’re a bit of an overhyped Instagram sensation right now, but damn they're actually really good. Luscious in fact.
Seriously, what food there is nearby the venue can really make or break your day on a long tour. Especially with the beginnings of a cold (as I currently have). Managing to get piles of bean sprouts, avocado, pickled ginger, garlic and broccoli down the oesophagus could be a lifesaver. I was well happy. What a much needed orgy of vitamins!
