Bob Vylan - 02.11.2024 @ Academy, Manchester

Credit for this page goes to: John Gilman

I was very excited for Bob Vylan’s Manchester Academy show, not least because I’d missed out on their Download Festival set due to band clashes. I’d heard nothing but rave reviews from friends who were lucky enough to catch that performance, and their enthusiasm had set my expectations sky-high. Seeing the incredibly reasonable ticket price only sweetened the deal – for a duo as highly regarded and influential as Bob Vylan, keeping their gigs accessible is impressive, if not entirely surprising. This ethos of connection extended well beyond ticketing; the band’s frontman was right there at the merch stand before the show, chatting, taking photos, and making everyone feel genuinely welcomed. It’s rare to see such personal engagement, and it wasn’t lost on the fans, both long-time supporters and newcomers like myself.

Formed in London in 2017, Bob Vylan’s journey from self-releasing records and hand-delivering them to local shops to commanding stages across the UK has been a remarkable one. The night began with an instrumental opening that felt more like a rallying cry, inviting the crowd to join in some light warm-ups and mental health exercises. Little did we know, this was the calm before the storm – as soon as the band launched into their second song, “Reign,” the energy in the room exploded. I got a firsthand taste of the mayhem as I lost my glasses in the mosh pit frenzy when Bob himself launched into the crowd, a chaotic and powerful start that set the tone for the rest of the night.

Bob Vylan’s music has a fire to it that’s both undeniable and deeply resonant, blending grime, hip-hop, punk, and rap-metal into a raw, electrifying mix. They tackle prejudice, inequality, racism, and mental health with a fierce urgency, and their lyrics hit like a punch, forcing you to confront harsh truths with no filter. But they also balance this intensity with wit and clever wordplay, shining a harsh but illuminating light on society’s darker edges without letting the mood sink into despair. The transition from “Dream Big” to the sharp critique of toxic masculinity in “He’s a Man” was particularly powerful; the crowd responded with an energy that seemed to fuel the band even more, creating a loop of intensity that filled the venue.

One track that seemed to resonate on a universal level was “Northern Line.” Anyone who’s ever trudged home late at night on public transport, dealing with all the little aggravations of shared spaces, felt the punch of that song. Even as someone newer to Bob Vylan’s discography, I found myself completely engrossed. It’s a rare thing for a gig to be so memorable that you know you’ll be carrying it with you long after – and this was one of those experiences. Missing them at Download now feels like a genuine loss, one I don’t intend to repeat.

One of the more surprising moments came when Bob shared the story of how they helped Soft Play (formerly Slaves) choose their new name, before launching into a frenetic rendition of their collaboration “One More Day Won’t Hurt.” Mid-set, they even opened up the floor for audience requests – a bold move that only amplified the feeling of intimacy between band and fans. After a few initial shouts, one clear voice called for “Bait the Bear.” After a quick huddle, Bob announced, “We don’t ever do this, but what the hell,” and the band launched into a wild, impromptu version of the track. It’s the kind of moment you can’t predict but will never forget – raw, unscripted, and entirely unique to that night.

Bob Vylan closed the show with two tracks that sent the crowd into a final frenzy, building to a peak of noise, movement, and sheer intensity. They didn’t bother with an encore, nor did they need to – by the time they left the stage, the audience was exhausted but exhilarated, left to process what had just been an unrelentingly powerful show. It felt like the perfect end to a gig that had rejected every tired, formulaic tradition of concert-going, replacing it with something entirely its own. Still buzzing from the energy, it was time to head home and spin the wheel, you never know I might just win myself a hot meal.

Set List;

1 - Down

2 - Reign

3 - GYAG (Get yourself a gun)

4 - Dream Big

5 - He`s a man

6 - Everybody loves sunshine (Roy Ayers Cover)

7 - Ring the alarm

8 - Northern line

9 - Wicked & bad

10 - Pretty Songs

11 - GDP/I heard you want your country back/England's ending/CSGB (Medley)