British rock icons, Skunk Anansie, have just released their brand new single “An Artist Is An Artist,” their first new music in almost three years. Produced by David Sitek of TV On The Radio (Foals, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Santigold, Solange, Weezer, and Chelsea Wolfe), it also comes with an official music video. Watch it below and read more from the band.
Stream “An Artist Is An Artist” here: https://ffm.to/skunkanansieartist
Reinvigorated after a period of introspection, their work with Sitek has seen the band twist and turn, stepping out of their comfort zone and re-shaping themselves into a lean and vital musical machine, ready to take on the world once more. “His name seemed to be on a lot of records that we liked. But none of the records sounded the same. The records all sounded fresh, but mainly the artists all sounded like themselves,” says vocalist Skin of the producer. “He basically reminded us that the process of making music didn’t need to be that complicated. When you start a band it never is, so it was a good reminder of that, and he got us to strip things right down,” continues guitarist Ace.
Tackling everything from ageism to our current need for approval in the digital age, “An Artist Is An Artist” somehow seems to hark back to the band’s vitriolic debut single, “Little Baby Swastikkka,” in terms of its confrontational quality. It also reaffirms the fact that Skunk Anansie is part of Britain’s proud agit-pop lineage that extends back to The Slits, whilst also conjuring up the wordplay of Ian Dury.
Originally based around a trademarked, hulking Skunk riff, the band listened to Sitek as he reduced the tune to its most primal essence. Then, he decided that they needed to add a sax solo. “I fucking hate sax!” grimaces Skin, “then this really cool fucking dude walks in and played sax like I’ve never heard it before, and at that point my mantra became, just trust The Dave.”
Strangely, what should have felt uncomfortable sounds utterly natural, and the band’s performance in the multi-coloured lyric video showcases how fresh, vital, current, and contemporary they are, a rare feat for a multi-million-selling group three decades on from their very first release.
“An Artist Is An Artist” will no doubt prove to be one of the highlights of the band’s upcoming European and UK headline tour, which kicks off in Portugal on February 28th and continues through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czechia, Poland, Denmark, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Belgium before ending in the UK with 14 shows.
Skunk Anansie Tour 2025:
Feb 28 – Porto @ Coliseu Do Porto Ageas
March 1 – Lisbon @ Sagres Campo Pequeño
March 3 – Madrid @ Sala La Paqui
March 4 – Barcelona @ Sala Razzmatazz
March 6 – Lyon @ Le Transbordeur
March 7 – Milan @ Alcatraz (SOLD OUT)
March 8 – Zurich @ Xtra (SOLD OUT)
March 10 – Munich @ Tonhalle (SOLD OUT)
March 11 – Vienna @ Arena (SOLD OUT)
March 12 – Prague @ Sasazu Club
March 14 – Warsaw @ Cos Torwar
March 16 – Copenhagen @ Vega (SOLD OUT)
March 17 – Hamburg @ Sporthalle
March 18 – Berlin @ Columbiahalle
March 19 – Stuttgart @ LKA Longhorn (SOLD OUT)
March 21 – Luxembourg @ Den Atelier (SOLD OUT)
March 22 – Amsterdam @ Afas Live (SOLD OUT)
March 23 – Cologne @ Palladium (VENUE UPGRADED)
March 25 – Brussels @ Ancienne Belgique (SOLD OUT)
March 26 – Paris @ L’Olympia
March 28 – London @ Roundhouse (SOLD OUT)
March 29 – London @ Roundhouse (SOLD OUT)
March 31 – Cardiff @ Cardiff University (SOLD OUT)
April 1 – Bristol @ Bristol Beacon (SOLD OUT)
April 3 – Nottingham @ Rock City (SOLD OUT)
April 4 – Manchester @ O2 Apollo (SOLD OUT)
April 5 – Birmingham @ O2 Academy Birmingham (SOLD OUT)
April 7 – Norwich @ The LCR (SOLD OUT)
April 8 – Cambridge @ Corn Exchange (SOLD OUT)
April 10 – Glasgow @ O2 Academy Glasgow (SOLD OUT)
April 11 – Newcastle @ NX Newcastle (SOLD OUT)
April 12 – Leeds @ O2 Academy Leeds (SOLD OUT)
April 14 – Bournemouth @ O2 Academy Bournemouth (SOLD OUT)
April 15 – Brighton @ Brighton Dome (SOLD OUT)
April 16 – Guildford @ G Live
Get tickets are available here: https://skunkanansie.com/
More from Skunk Anansie:
Skunk Anansie, formed in 1994 in London, is a seminal band, one of the first multi-racial British rock bands, who are known for their powerful sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Fronted by the charismatic and dynamic vocalist Skin, the band blends alternative rock with elements of punk and metal. They remain one of the most important and influential bands of their era.
Their debut album Paranoid & Sunburnt (1995), and its follow up Stoosh (1996) both hit the Top 10 album chart in the UK and with hits like “Weak” and “Hedonism,” they established themselves on the international stage, helped by their stunning live performances. In 1999, Skunk Anansie closed the decade out in style by releasing their third studio album, Post Orgasmic Chill and headlining Glastonbury Festival, before surprisingly going on a lengthy hiatus in 2001. The band reconvened in 2008 to embark on the second chapter of their career, releasing three acclaimed albums – 2010’s Wonderlustre, 2012’s Black Traffic, and 2015’s Anarchytecture. In 2019, the band marked their 25th anniversary with 25LIVE@25, a live album that brings together the greatest songs from their six studio albums.
Throughout their career, Skunk Anansie has sold over five million records globally. The band’s international prominence continues to thrive today, selling out live arenas and headlining festivals across the continent. Skunk Anansie is celebrated for addressing political and social issues through their music and breaking racial and gender barriers in rock. Their influence extends beyond music, contributing to discussions on identity, equality, and activism.
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