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Preaching revolution, solidarity, change and equality
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Bob Vylan
Electric Ballroom
GRIME punk rock duo Bob Vylan have had an incredible 2022.
An acclaimed support slot with Amyl & the Sniffers across the US and the UK, winner of Kerrang’s album of the year for The Price of Life, most recently awarded the Mobo for Best Alternative Music Act, Bob Vylan’s year is topped by this sold-out gig at London’s Electric Ballroom, the band’s biggest headline show to date.
Formed back in 2017 the duo’s musical edge is rap punk rock driven social commentary visualised in a mix of action, anger and outrage all set to a rapacious beat.
Opening the set with Big Man, it is literally just seconds before the whole room is rocking. Lead singer Bobby Vylan thrusts and punches his way through the track while waxing lyrical about why the pursuit of money is not the route to happiness, drummer Bobbie Vylan pounds out a visceral beat, and buzzsaw guitar echoes round the room.
Take That takes Elvis and the Queen to task, it’s brutal yet beautiful in its lyrical message with an apt update now the Queen is dead.
And the set rolls on, preaching revolution, solidarity, change and equality, all to a rocking beat that pounds you into support not subjugation.
Whether challenging institutional racism in the police in Pulled Pork, mass media and the powers that be in GDP or looking after your body in Health is Wealth, this is music with a real message.
Other highlights include a guest spot from Slaves doubling up the drum beat and aural assault that adds even more to the mix, before the set ends with the double whammy of Pretty Songs about taking action and Wicked and Bad calling for revolutionary change and recompense.
And then they’re gone.
The atmosphere was electric, the band had a ball, and the audience were in awe.
Bob Vylan bring the world to rights, outline the price we pay for not taking action, and in their own heroic way show you how you can and must make a difference.
Bob Vylan’s latest single The Delicate Nature has just been released, the band will play 2000 Trees Festival in 2023.
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