SIMON DUFF relishes the cross contamination of Damien Hirst’s greatest hits by street artists from France and the US
Preaching revolution, solidarity, change and equality
Bob Vylan at the Electric Ballroom
[Mik Sabiers]
In view of the grooming gangs inquiry, SIMON PARSONS feels the relevance of this powerful examination of trauma suffered at Medomsley Youth Detention Centre
JOHN GREEN doubts the motivations of a US war photographer who never questions why, or for whom, she is producing images of imperialist conflict
MARIA DUARTE reviews Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Hedda, The Mastermind, and Regretting You
TONY CONWAY welcomes a thrilling and concise history of Hope not Hate, that is also a manual full of tactical advice
PAUL DONOVAN welcomes an inspiring account of living with deafness that has important lessons for the treatment of deaf people in today’s UK
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.
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