The new page of The Prodigy, four years after Keef

It's been four years without the external flame of the original Firestarter.

" 4 YEARS GONE, WE MISS U SO SO MUCH BROTHER,
YES ,, IN BODY U AINT WITH US,,,,, BUT IN SPIRIT, THROUGH OUR MUSIC AND WHAT ME AND MAXIM REPRESENT ONSTAGE, U ARE AND ALWAYS WILL BE FULLY FUKIN THERE !, MASSIVE !!, UR SPIRIT LIVING, BREATHING AND SNARLING DEEP WITHIN THE BEATS , BASS AND HEART OF THE BAND, UNFADEABLE AND UNDENIABLE, U LIVE FOREVER FLINTY! LH & MAXIM X"  (Source)

Keith Flint (1969-2019) was a legendary music persona, an icon that rose in the hearts of everyone in the 90s generation, the ultimate punk rave king, and the one and only Firestarter of The Prodigy. As of 4th of March 2019, he's been performing from another dimension sticking his tongue out as usual. Keith (or Keef) was an essential piece of an Essex puzzle called The Prodigy; spitting energy to the masses for over three decades.

Few days after the shocking news of Keith Flint's loss, I made a show paying tribute to this legend. The radio show was originally broadcasted on Kniteforce Radio on 16th March 2019. It features tracks that he's involved with his vocals, either with The Prodigy or his side projects Flint, Clever Brains Fryin and collabs. It's a strictly KeeF showcase, that you can listen on the link above.

 

Certainly, the year 2019 was broken-hearted in the history of The Prodigy. It ended with the loss of their former manager, Mike Champion.

However, to weather the storm, the Prodigy vibe feels like a strong recipe of energy that regenerates.

In 2021, it was declared that a documentary about the band is in progress

In the words of Liam and Maxim, it was put out like: "This one's for Keef!".

Directed by their 'usual suspect' and video don, Paul Dugdale, written along with Sam Bridger, this forthcoming film speaks about the "success, worldwide fame, fortune, addiction, fighting and chaos almost tore them apart, but The Prodigy never stopped dragging mainstream culture into their underworld and raising a global army of warrior fans that have stayed with them at every turn. Their friendship, perseverance and integrity kept them going until Keith Flint’s tragic passing in March 2019." (Source)

In 2022, exactly three years after Keith's loss, the band was remaining silent and fans were wondering about the future. Then, an announcement saw the light, marking their returm. It was about a summer UK Tour, on behalf of the 25th anniversary of 'The Fat of The Land'. Obviously, all dates were instantly sold out and the first historic gig of their UK Tour in Sheffield on 8th of July, was simply the first page of a brand new adventure in their history making. As James Jupiter from the Brainkiller forum wrote before that gig that "the people going to Friday's Sheffield gig are going into the unknown." Beyond every expectation the line-up of Liam Howlett, Rob Holiday (guitar) Leo Crabtree (drums) and Maxim in front, has shown the way. The new live era of the band went out on stage again.

All in all, the boys haven't lost their energy, moreover it has been the right mutual concession between them and the fans that showed their full support and fell closer than ever to the band. The spiritual Keef has been there covered by a massive tribute. "Raise the roof for Keith, he's still here", Maxim screamed out. A lump-in-throat to everyone that saw it live. If anyone's curious to see what happened when Liam Howlett dropped 'Firestarter', just click this link.

 

Late of the year, XL Recordings released a special and limited '25th Anniversary of The Fat of the Land' double Vinyl LP. It's a definite collector's item as it also features a different artwork. The tracklist remains the same. In addition to that, the Andy C remix of 'Firestarter' that blew the roof off throughout their UK tour, made their second official release of 2022 (link).

About the year 2023, there are many European dates in order to witness the sickness if anyone has missed the real action in the UK tour 2022:

• 17th May - Milano Alcatraz, Milano, ITALY
• 18th May - Gran Teatro, Padova, ITALY
• 19th/20th May - Sea Star Festival, Umag, CROATIA
• 2nd June - Dauwpop Festival, Hellendoorn, NETHERLANDS
• 3rd June - Vestrock, Hulst, NETHERLANDS
• 8th June - Nova Rock Festival, Nickelsdorf, AUSTRIA
• 11th June - Parklife Festival, Manchester, UK
• 28th June - Musgrave Park, Cork, IRELAND
• 29th June - Fairview Park, Dublin, IRELAND
• 30th June - Belsonic, Ormeau Park, Belfast, UK
• 6th/9th July - Exit Festival, Novi Sad, SERBIA
• 8th July - Mad Cool Festival, Madrid, SPAIN
• 14th/16th July - Ilosaarirock Festival, FINLAND
• 21st July - Release Festival, Athens,GREECE
• 6th August - Ronquieres Festival, BELGIUM
• 9th/13th August - Dreambeach Festival, Almería, SPAIN
• 18th/19th August - Pstereo, Trondheim, NORWAY
• Saturday 26th August - We Are FSTVL, Essex, UK

Regarding their forthcoming performance in Greece, it will take place on 21st of July at Release Festival in Athens. The boys return to Greece after eight years.

By all means, like every single gig of the upcoming European tour, this is an essential performance to attend, whether you're a prodigy fan or not. Every Prodigy gig is a different experience for the headstrong.

Tickets

In regards with releases, there are two specialities to be out on 22nd of April part of the Record Store Day. First one is a remix version of 'Invaders Must Die' album in orange Vinyl and a Prodigy Remix on 'Rocket Fuel' by Kasabian on a 10" Vinyl.

As you can realise, The Prodigy machine is still here. The Prodigy machine proceeds with some new beats. Next year we'll be celebrating the 30s of 'Music For The Jilted Generation' and the 20s of 'Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned'. Hopefully among these anniversaries, the fans will get something new and fresh from the boys. Something that's needed for the new generation fans of the Prodigy.

Till then... "back on tour 1/2/3, we're all back on four you better wake up!"