The Prodigy @ First Direct Arena (Leeds, UK) on November 13, 2018 [Photos & Show Review]

Crossover crew The Prodigy attract a strange crowd. As you look out over a packed First Direct Arena, you can pick out rockers, dance fans, those who love “Firestarter”, old-school fans and new converts. One thing they do have in common though is that, as Liam Howlett and the band explode into opener “Breathe”, the entire room, regardless of musical preference, collectively lose their shit!

Ever since the band bastardized their hardcore dance sound with punk rock back in the days of The Fat Of The Land, it’s no lie to say they have consistently been one of the most incendiary live acts on the circuit. Touring now in support of their latest album No Tourists, it’s hard to believe that the band are just getting better and better with each new release. Tonight is no exception and from our vantage point in the skies of this packed arena, the sight of thousands of fans losing their minds to “Voodoo People” is something to behold. Dance fans pull off all their best moves from the ’90s as the likes of “No Good (Start The Dance)” and recent single “Need Some1” take those fans back to weekends pilled off their tits while “Omen”, “Nasty” and, of course, “Firestarter” are greeted with the sight of moshpits breaking out all over the dancefloor. During the latter, Keith Flint stalks the stage staring out the crowd with his familiar demonic glare while Liam Howlett oversees the mayhem from the back calmly setting about his business and all of this is done under the kind of light show that should come with a health warning.

For the band it’s business as usual in Leeds but for this sweating crowd, this is possibly the best night of their lives. Those who have dismissed the band as being “not rock” or know them from only the hits should do themselves a favour, if they roll into your town, grab a ticket and treat yourselves to one of the best live musical experiences you will ever have.

On this evidence we hope The Prodigy are right when they claim “We Live Forever”: