Bob Vylan 'Viva La Vylan' Tour

Bob Vylan:

Last night saw Bob Vylan open their Viva La Vylan tour at the Junction in Cambridge, in a night full of all the high energy chaos that has become expected of a Bob Vylan gig. The duo, made up of Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan, have fast gained a reputation for being one of the country's best live bands and it is clear why. 

Bob Vylan are being joined for this tour by special guests Kid Bookie and Panic Shack for this tour, with both acts receiving mass adoration from the crowd. The Viva La Vylan tour follows the announcement of Bob Vylan's upcoming album 'Humble As The Sun which is due for release next April and promises to be one of the releases of the year. Scroll to hear our thoughts on the tours triumphant opening night...

Bob Vylan are one of the finest bands this country has to offer, and if you needed proof of that then you'd have to look no further than last night's gig. I have been lucky enough to see the duo twice before (Supporting Biffy Clyro and at Sonic Waves Festival) and was blown away both times, and that was with them performing to a crowd who weren't fully there for them and yet they still managed to completely capture both audiences. when you combine this seemingly effortless stage energy with an already adoring audience in attendance for the tour's opening night, you were in for a special time

As both members took to the stage Bobbie Vylan began his hard-hitting drumming whilst Bobby Vylan led the crowd through some pre-gig meditation, a ritual that has become synonymous with Bob Vylan gigs now, preparing the excited audience for the blissful chaos that is about to unfold. 'I Heard You Want Your Country Back' opened the set, and immediately the entire Junction was bouncing at the command of Bobby

Bob Vylan delivered a hit filled set with sprinkles of humour and political stances made throughout the show. Heavy bangers like 'CSGB' turned the crowd into a chaotic mass of humans, guided by the cricket bat of Bobby Vylan, whilst songs like 'He Sold Guns' provided more soulful singalongs. The most poignant moment of the night was the duos performance of newest single ' He's A Man' which pokes fun at toxic masculinity. Before the song Bobby offered all the women in the crowd to come to the front and participate in a man-free mosh pit where they can enjoy themselves without fear of injury, being encouraged by photographer Rhiannon Brailsford who admirably opened up about recent injuries she suffered by men whilst moshing.

During the show Bobby listed a number of alternate names Bob Vylan go by, including humorous ones like 'The Fred Perry Mafia', and more serious ones like The Most Important Band in Britain', and after a night of outrageously good music mixed with vital humanitarian statements, they may be right. Bob Vylan are the band Britain needs, and we should all be so grateful for them.

Kid Bookie:

Kid Bookie was the night's second opening act, but the way he had the crowd eating put the palm of his hands you would've thought he was a local hero returning for a headline show. His set was high energy from the second he took to the stage, backed by a four-piece band who were at the top of their game.

Bookie's recorded music has noticeable heavy influences behind it, but his live shows bring this to a whole new level. Trap style songs were turned near heavy metal mixed with thrashing guitar solos and some of the best guttural screams I have ever heard live.

Bookie's performance went far beyond the songs, with his stage presence and audience engagement being equally impressive. He opened his set getting the crowd to follow his commands putting their middle fingers in the air and shout 'F**k Em All' a chant of defiance that perfectly sums up Kid Bookie's music; fighting back against the crap society throws at you, before reflecting on the hardship

'Liquor, Sex, Weed' made the crowd immediately fall in love with Bookie, but if that somehow didn't 'Stuck In My Ways' absolutely would have. The song, which features Slipknot's Corey Taylor on the studio version, has one of the catchiest hooks I have heard live, and was delivered with such a punch that you couldn't help but lap up every word that left Bookie's mouth.

The gutturals were mixed with flows at insane speeds, but Kid Bookie's musical prowess was shown even further when he picked up an electric guitar to play the backing for a cover of Radiohead's Creep. This brilliant cover was sung by Bookie's insanely talented guitarist, and artist in his own right, Jon E Clayface.

In amongst the heaviness Kid Bookie still managed to showcase his infectious and hilarious personality, with a highlight being him making the crowd "give it up for the penis and vagina" before singing the aforementioned 'Liquor, Sex, Weed'.

This really was one of the best live sets I have seen in years, and I cannot wait to see Kid Bookie again

 

Panic Shack:

I have been desperate to see Panic Shack live since I first heard their music, and the more live footage I've seen of them the more impressed I've been. Despite this they still managed to blow my expectations out the water. The four listed members (Emily Smith, Meg Fretwell, Romi Lawrence and Sarah Harvey) of the band have the chemistry of lifelong friends that have been playing together from the day they were born, and they are backed up by a masterful drummer (Nick Doherty-Williams) who flawlessly fits into the line-up

Panic Shack's set was high tempo from the get-go, managing to fit 10 songs into their half hour set, yet nothing felt rushed. They still had more than enough time to connect with the crowd in amongst their high energy, and often tongue-in-cheek bangers. Their setlist was composed of nearly every song they have released, alongside a host of unreleased music showing that for these Welsh rockers the sky really is the limit

This really was a flawless showcase of feminine rage that seemed to resonate with the whole audience regardless of gender or background, and that is a testament to Panic Shack's musical ability. Songs like 'The Ick' and "Jiu Jits You' are the perfect mix of catchy, engaging and silly in the best way, whilst songs like. 'Meal Deal' and 'Baby" seemed to touch on serious issues in a fun way, which to me is Panic Shack at their very best. Riotous rock music that calls out dickheads, in a way that can be fun for the good people.

Panic Shack really are an unbelievably fun watch, combining top-drawer music with synchronised dance routines and a stage presence that radiates their individual personalities. Their musical ability is outstanding, with four of the five live members playing their instruments to perfection, whilst lead vocalist Sarah Harvey had the crowd lapping up her every word. There were some sound issues at the start of the set (outside of their control), yet they stormed through without missing a beat. This was live music at its very best