Featured image: Lucy Wagstaffe
BILK brought the seditious punk chaos to a sold-out Manchester Academy 3 show on Saturday night, bringing the riot up North. The Essex lads did not disappoint in creating an atmosphere of excitement and electricity.
Having just released their debut album BILK after releasing their first singles together in 2018, the three-piece have already gained some extremely loyal fans all over the country.
For this Manchester, fans queued outside to get the best view of the band, donned in their iconic merch. Wearing items featuring BILK’s iconic snail logo, it’s an important show of support from the fans who stand with the satire and honest lyrics that compliment the band’s rough and powerful sound.
Thanks to support bands The Underclass and Shambolics, the crowd was already raring to go and prepared to be hyping BILK up. As soon as they took to the stage with the opening song and last single before the debut album, Fashion, the mosh started, and didn’t stop until the end of the gig. There were some sweaty faces in the crowd – and smiling ones at that.
The jam-packed set showcased the punk rock yet nineties rebellion sound BILK hold. From most popular tunes like ‘Be Someone’ and ‘Daydreamer’, which throws shade at the government and how society is forgetting about the young people, while commenting how you must make something of yourself. It is clear the crowd relates as they scream lyrics such as ‘Government pay, minimum wage’ and ‘I don’t wanna sell drugs like most kids do.’
With frontman Sol Abrahams on vocals and guitar, Luke Hare on bass guitar and Harry Gray on the kit, the stage setup sports the simplicity of the two guitarists on either side and the drummer in view in the middle. This is a nice touch, considering drummers are usually hidden away. Instead, the audience is able see the band as a whole, rather than focusing on the frontman, a set up which reflected the friendship of the band.
With a whole set packed with chaotic energy and the crowd bouncing, BILK is playing a huge part in keeping the scene alive to a new generation. Following on from bands such as the Sex Pistols and more new wave bands such as Kid Kapichi, bands like BILK are vital in protecting the underground scene and need to be heard.
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