REVIEW: The Skatalites and WtU at O2 Academy 28/05/12

Sean McCoy | Liverpool-Live.info | 01 June 2012

There was a carnival of excellent music on offer as the world famous Skatalites and exciting Liverpool band WtU (We the Undersigned) took to the O2 Academy stage. Our new reviewer Shaun McCoy was in attendance.

WtU have their own sizable following and have supported the likes of Ed Sheeran and Toots and the Maytals. At a push there can be 17 or 18 people on stage – that’s because the line-up features The Ankhettes (female vocal duo), TFBTS (The Fire Beneath the Sea) hip hop combo, The Blow Back Horns (5 piece brass section) plus a 6 piece band lead by vocalist/guitarist Collen Chandler.

WtU also have a gleaming presence within their eclectic music, which they have dubbed ‘Stankh’ – a mix off reggae, rock, funk and hip hop. As well as creating a party atmosphere, WtU carry social comments within their songs such as Stop the Rot and False Flag. It’s refreshing to hear The Fire Beneath The Sea rapping in their own local accents. Bass player Mat Mak Mook is like a young Bootsy Collins – fur waistcoat and lays down a mean funk/reggae groove in songs like Water Off a Duck’s Back. A lot of people only go and see the headline act and bypass the support bands. WtU are a very good band in their own right and are well worth checking out…