Newport Market is a good place to shelter from the rain on a wet Wednesday morning. A grand, cast iron structure built in 1854 to house local produce from butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers and the like, it underwent massive regeneration in 2022 and is home to a series of artisan bakeries, coffee shops and art galleries. Right now, with employees setting up for the day and a smattering of elderly locals enjoying cake and a natter, it’s quiet and peaceful. At least until…
“Beep beep! Welcome to Newport!” shouts Benji Webbe, Skindred singer and unrelenting hype man for his hometown, as he careers towards Hammer on a lowrider bike. “You found it alright, then?” he says, loudly. “Come on, I’m going to take you round my ends!”
You’d imagine the arrival of this ball of energy clad in a leopard-print tracksuit would prompt looks of disapproval from the pensioners in the vicinity, but apparently not. “Morning, Benj!” is the general reaction, followed by a smile and a wave.
This is a good time to visit Benji on his home turf. Not only are Skindred about to release their new album, Smile (the first since 2018’s Big Tings and their eighth in total), but 2023 also marks their 25th anniversary. The band that started in a rehearsal room underneath a boxing gym - which we’ll visit later today - have gone on to become one of the UK’s most unique and adored bands.
Throughout it all, they’ve been intrinsically linked to this city of 160,000 in South Wales. If Skindred have a fifth member, it’s Newport itself, which is why we’re here to get a guided tour of the town from its unofficial Mayor.
“Newport’s the first place Joe Strummerattempts to keep pace with his lowrider on foot. “They say that him going to Notting Hill was what inspired The Clash to explore reggae. I don’t think so, I think it was him going to the gigs around here. That’s why this place is important to Skindred, we’re part of that legacy.”
