Hearing the name Skunk Anansie takes me back to the mid-1990s and the hits from their first two records. Live albums aside, they have produced three studio releases back in their earlier years before disbanding in 2001. Few years go by, and from 2009 to 2025, they put out a few live recordings as well as three additional studio albums—the most recent being "The Painful Truth", released this year. I assume this is what's fueling their intense touring schedule, with Rockefeller marking the beginning of a second leg following a break after several concert dates back in February and March.

I have to admit I haven't kept up with Skunk Anansie in recent times and mainly recall them for their classic tracks, but I took it upon myself to revisit both earlier and more recent material before attending. My impression is that, while they’ve evolved, they preserved the same spirit, energy, and unmistakable identity consistently throughout their career—which I personally value.

Walking into the venue today, I couldn’t help but feel that the day was quite competitive, with the Tons of Rock festival happening nearby. It hasn’t prevented Skunk Anansie from selling out Rockefeller, so perhaps Sex Pistols, Weezer, and Green Day performing around the same time aren’t drawing the same audience? Or maybe some of the festival-goers will migrate over? Either way, it was a packed house tonight. 

The support act this evening is Wikstrand og De Fryktløse. They describe themselves as high-energy rock with sincere, straightforward lyrics about life. As you might guess from their name, they’re local to Norway and sing in Norwegian. These guys are new to me, and I decided to approach their performance with an open mind, without much advance research besides a brief listen. From what I gathered, they also issued an album this year, which I believe is their second, following a debut full-length record, released in 2024. They carry a light punk rock aesthetic to my ears, with more of a “talk-singing” approach—where lyrical meaning takes precedence over vocal precision.

For English speakers, their name translates to “Wikstrand and the Fearless.” Wikstrand is the frontman on guitar and lead vocals. They’ve adorned the stage with images of what I assume is their mascot—a devil-horned figure piloting a Spitfire-like aircraft into the ground. I didn’t fully connect the dots between this daredevil/kamikaze imagery and their heartfelt lyrics, but perhaps it symbolizes their boldness, or the character features in one of their tracks. They walked on stage to the tune of “East Bound and Down,” which I associate with Smokey and the Bandit reruns from my youth. Wikstrand og De Fryktløse is a three-piece group, with both the drummer and bassist on backup vocals. The beginning was a little rough in terms of sound and took a song or two to settle. Throughout the show, I felt the guitar was a bit buried in the mix, though it may have been due to a thin amp tone lacking midrange. Still, it was clear Wikstrand is a skilled guitarist.

Their strongest aspect is the instrumental performance, which had solid momentum, engaging rock licks, and impressive solos. My biggest critique is the vocals. They were passable overall, but had moments that strayed too far off-key for my liking. As a native Norwegian speaker, I get that the focus is more on lyrical content than pitch accuracy, which might simply not be my style. That said, they generally performed well and managed to turn a half-full Rockefeller into a packed house by the end of their 30-minute set.

From a humble start—where I questioned whether they were truly fearless or a bit unsettled by the venue (the bassist seemed reserved and didn’t interact much, while Wikstrand darted around the stage before settling into a rhythm)—they had the audience fully engaged by the finish. Their closing number included some impressive rock improvisation and genuine crowd interaction. Early in the set, I heard someone nearby say, “They need to say who they are,” which wasn’t addressed until midway through. They may have picked up a few new fans tonight, and it might be worth adding their name to the stage setup, since people often forget who the opening act is—especially when it’s unfamiliar.

Enter Skunk Anansie. No elaborate introduction needed—the band had the room captivated from the first note. The sound was perfect right from the start, delivering a commanding display of power. Opening with "This Means War", they set a tone that lasted throughout the show, highlighting their remarkable musical and performance abilities. It was a true demonstration of why they’re still relevant and deserving of their place in music after 31 years—not just surviving on nostalgia like many long-running acts. Plus, what a voice and presence Skin has! It’s something extraordinary to witness, difficult to capture in words. Experiencing it live is believing. Throughout the set, she sang with nearly unbroken vocal strength while remaining incredibly active on stage. Even during the rare moment she nearly missed a note, she handled it expertly. I’d even argue her live performance shows such passion, commitment, and vocal mastery that it surpasses the studio versions—something I rarely say about vocalists.

The rest of the band didn’t move around as much—but didn’t need to. They’re all top-tier musicians, each adding their own personality to the performance. The rest of the band didn’t move around as much—but they didn’t need to. They’re all excellent musicians, and each one brings a unique spark to the performance. Ace always seems to know exactly how much or how little guitar is needed. He plays massive chords, heavy and dynamic riffs with the same dedication and precision as he does delicate, carefully placed notes. All the while, he carries a subtle smile that, to me, says, “I should be serious, but I’m enjoying this too much to hide it.”

Cass on bass is a powerhouse of low-end brilliance. He’s incredibly versatile and dynamic when necessary. It was a thrill to see and hear him throw in huge all-string chords during the more intense moments, filling in underneath Ace’s high melodies. The rhythm section between Cass and Mark on drums is tight and focused, delivering a strong foundation throughout the set. Mark is simply a great drummer—reliable, dynamic, and fully in control of the diverse range of Skunk Anansie’s music. He adapts effortlessly to the shifting energy and groove required by their varied catalogue, always maintaining precision and drive.

It took three songs before Skin spoke to the crowd directly, but it never felt like something was missing. Her performance itself established a strong connection—she communicates with her entire presence. The crowd stayed engaged the whole time. During old favorites like "Hedonism", the floor bounced with the audience’s energy—a signature sign of a strong show at Rockefeller. Skin led the crowd in singing the line “Just because it feels good” several times while stepping into the photo pit to walk along the front row, still singing all the while. I’d heard that Skin sometimes stage-dives during their sets. That didn’t happen tonight—possibly due to restrictions—but she did climb over the barrier and perform half a song in the middle of a wildly enthusiastic, yet respectful, crowd. A truly captivating moment that showcased her command and connection with the audience.

“Impressive” barely covers it. This 90-minute performance was a clear example of how a band can successfully blend old and new material and make it all work seamlessly. In my honest opinion, it’s a bit disappointing that such a tight, enduring band wasn’t given a prime slot at the Tons of Rock festival happening the same night. Maybe next year?