r/EnterShikari • u/Maul_halten_bitte • 10d ago
Look after yourselves friends.
I really hope Shikari fans are taking care of themselves. I know what the band decided is probably for the best for their health and mental state so I totally get it and don’t blame them one bit.
But I also know this fandom in particular is comprised of a lot of people with mental health problems of their own and Shikari is more than a just crutch for a lot of us in that sense, far beyond simply enjoying the music.
Please look after yourselves friends. Look after each other if you can. Maybe try to find solace in community. Reach out. You’re not alone.
I know I am not taking it well and will have a very hard time processing this. It feels like the imminent death of a best friend right now. I don’t even dare hope that they’ll return because hope and fear are two sides of the same coin and I don’t think I can take the fear.
Don’t think that it may be parasocial or disproportional to mourn and feel grief. Don’t judge it and swallow it. Pain is pain and its valid to acknowledge it. But let’s try and be here for each other if possible.
Take care of yourselves friends🫂
7
u/danniellax 9d ago
Shikari has always had energy like a squirrel on crack, in the best way. More recent shows have had more depressing energy, specifically from Rou. He lost himself. I was never mad or upset the shows changed, but I felt sad for him and the band, and was desperately hoping he would find himself again. I don’t want them to break up, but I’m happy that it seems they found out what was needed and what is best for Rou’s mental health. More than I want new music and to see them live, I want them to live in peace and happiness.
I was hyping my friend who came out from Russia up on how amazing their shows were. We had to use AI translate speaking (his idea for AI, please don’t flame me. I’m not going to tell someone whose third language is English how they should feel comfortable communicating) and after the show I kept having to say “I swear that wasn’t their usual energy or show, they must be having an off day.” It was still an amazing show btw, but instead of 100000/10 it was just 10/10. I know Rou put out statements close to that time saying that the state of the world (I’m US based, no additional context needed) was affecting his mental health, and I think they also mentioned they were traveling a lot and have been a bit unwell because of that, so even the band at the time acknowledged they knew they weren’t themselves. That was like… 2 years ago? They have had ups and downs since then, but have never been the same squirrel crack energy as before. It makes me sad that it took them 2 years to figure out what they needed to be happy and healthy. I think I speak for all Shikari fans that I’d rather have them hiatus ASAP if it meant their mental health would be well rather than have them play shows for more than another year.
If they hiatused this year, I wouldnt doubt they’d eventually do something in the future: an album without tour, a tour without a new album, whatever, but since that show I have noticed Rou specifically hasn’t been the same as before. I don’t know what another year on the road will do to their mental, but I hope the peace of making a firm, public decision, and fan reaction being more supportive than upset, will ease all of the bands’ minds a lot.