The dynamic duo delivered a blistering performance, leaving the audience breathless and braying for more
Last Thursday night at The Leadmill, Sheffield, Bob Vylan transformed the iconic venue into a high-octane playground of sound and fury. Known for their genre-defying blend of punk, grime, hip-hop and a dash of reggae, the London-based duo of Bobby Vylan (Singer) and Bobbie Vylan (Drums) didn’t disappoint, delivering an electrifying and engaging performance from beginning to end.
However, it was Bob Vylan that the ever-increasing numbers packing into the venue were craving. As soon as the band hit the stage you could tell that we were in for something special which was underlined as Bobby warmed up by doing his trademark Yoga stretching which further ramped up the anticipation and uniqueness of the events unfolding.
Their opening track ‘Down’ blasted through the speakers, their energy and stage presence immediately demanded your attention setting the tone for a night that promised to be both cathartic and liberating.
Bob Vylan’s unique sound shines through in their thought-provoking lyrics, often addressing societal issues with raw honesty. Each song felt like a rallying cry, and the audience responded with fervour, echoing the band’s powerful messages such as in ‘We Live Here’. It was a testament to their artistry that every song—from fan favourites to newer tracks—felt fresh and engaging.
Video from the Manchester show two days later:
One of my many highlights came during a particularly charged performance of ‘He’s a Man’ which, like all of their songs, is stunningly well crafted and written and had the crowd jumping and singing along, nodding in appreciation and uniting everyone in a shared experience of defiance and agreement. The visuals on stage complemented the music perfectly, with striking lights and fireworks that amplified the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Some of the more long-in-the-tooth punks that I talked to are divided as to the punk credentials of Bob Vylan, personally I believe they are a breath of fresh air on the already vibrant punk scene, and I admire their humility, independence and originality.
Clearly, Bob Vylan are a force to be reckoned with, and their set at the Leadmill was a powerful reminder of their impact on the music scene. They have, quite rightly in my opinion, been described as ”… the most exciting and important punk band in the UK” (Ian Winwood in Kerrang 2022) and as the crowd poured out into the cooling night air, I felt I had just experienced something special and uplifting, and I can’t wait to catch them again.
Don’t miss them on their current tour or at the very least, give them a listen, you will be very pleased you did. Their latest album ‘Humble As The Sun’ is out now!
Upcoming Tour Details:
UK:
05 Nov – Rock City Nottingham, United Kingdom
07 Nov – Electric Brixton London, United Kingdom
08 Nov – Electric Brixton London, United Kingdom
Europe:
17 Nov – Luxor Köln, Germany
18 Nov – Headcrash Hamburg, Germany
20 Nov – Frannz Club Berlin, Germany
21 Nov – Transformator Wrocław, Poland
22 Nov – Bike Jesus Hlavní Město Praha, Czechia
23 Nov – Proton The Club Stuttgart, Germany
25 Nov – Petit Bain Paris, France
27 Nov – Patronaat Haarlem, Netherlands
28 Nov -Trix Antwerpen, Belgium
Australia:
17 Jan – Railway Hotel / Port Beach Garden Bar North Fremantle, Australia
18 Jan – Railway Hotel / Port Beach Garden Bar North Fremantle, Australia
Main Photo Credit / All Photos: PHIL THORNS
Follow Bob Vylan on Their Socials:
Need more Punk In Your Life?
Live review: The Chats, London Electric Ballroom, 15th Dec 2024
It’s rare that we’ve seen an opening band ignite a pit as large and chaotic as the one which bursts into action as soon as
Live Review: Yur Mum / Spleen, London Hope & Anchor, 6th Dec 2024
Songs like ‘What’s Behind The Sun’ and ‘Affected Kid’ are proof that Spleen are already masters of the quiet-loud dynamic that was (yes!) grunge’s hallmark
EP review: No Real Hero – ‘H’
Hailing from Montreal, Canada, ‘H’ is No Real Hero’s first release of new material since 2018. The band originally emerged in 2012 as a hard
Live review: Vive Le X-Mess 2024, London Water Rats, 4th Dec
Ah, the Vive Le Rock magazine X-Mess gig – it’s becoming a great tradition indeed. The Water Rats gets increasingly packed and sweaty tonight, and
Live review: Chubby And The Gang, London Hackney Moth Club, 3rd Dec 2024
Chubby and the Gang’s Charles ‘Chubby’ Manning Walker is – by his own admission – not a man of words. It matters little, because this
Album review: Hung Like Hanratty release ‘Welcome to the Future’
From Sutton in Ashfield, UK, Hung Like Hanratty are one of the most well-known, hilarious, fun punk bands around! They have played hundreds of gigs
Sheffield based photographer. Festival reviews/photos for Punkuation, Louder Than War, Exposed, Safety Pin Magazine, Derbyshire Times …
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
