Incubus at Brixton Academy

US rockers Incubus pride themselves on being impossible to classify into a specific genre. That explains why there is such a wide range of people at the venue, from hip-hop fans to metalheads. But they all react in the same way when the band take to the stage.

The five-piece don’t even have to play a song for the crowd to go wild. When they launch into Privilege, they almost can’t be heard over audience singing; everyone obviously feels privileged to be there. Vocalist Brandon Boyd has to hold the microphone at arm’s length to prevent people being deafened by his incredibly powerful voice. Singing isn’t his only talent, though. The frontman switches to percussion and begins a gripping drum battle with Jose Pasillas.

The musicians go as wild as the fans when they play Anna Molly. This is definitely not an anomaly. Harsh beats and lighting lead into Megalomaniac. The whole academy jumps and sings to the chorus while Chris Kilmore’s dreads almost kill his turntable. If anyone could look away from the energetic ensemble, then they would see visuals on the backdrop that can only be described as what you’d see looking through a kaleidoscope on LSD.

There is a moment of silence, but with the rest of the set, Incubus’s lively actions speak louder than their words. The band are kind in the face of unkind reviews of their latest releases. They show everyone why the new material is there, and how artistic it really is. State of the Art proves that. Although not as well known as their other tracks, there is just as much vigour.

Of course, the group don’t stray too far from the classics. The venue becomes lit up without the need for lights when Pardon Me is played, and there is nothing painful about their performance of Love Hurts. Boyd takes off his shirt, clearly getting serious, particularly for Are You In?, which receives the loudest response yet. Everyone is definitely in, including all of the drunks trying to hit the high notes. Wish You Were Here transitions into Pink Floyd’s track of the same name as everyone sings into their phones.

Afterwards, the crowd expects more, and the band deliver with Here In My Room. Despite being a slow song, energy in the room is still high. Incubus cannot leave without playing Drive, and they kill everyone with their final song, A Crow Left of the Murder. Those still alive manage to leave the venue.

Regan Harle
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Incubus’s website here.

Watch the video for the single here: