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.
Featured image and gallery: Sam Holmes From Mirfield to Manchester, this Yorkshire-born four-piece bring their funk-interwoven indie rock to a sold-out Gorilla for their biggest headline show to date. Fresh off the back of their new single ‘Watch Life Burn’ and signing their first record deal with This Feeling/ LAB Records, there is already a…
Featured image and photography: Aaron Parsons / Press Haiden Henderson isn’t a name known to many in Manchester, but the Californian rockstar certainly made sure to leave a lasting impression. With sensual and sexy songs, Henderson really knows how to heat up a crowd in more ways than one. Unreleased track ‘Freak For You’ sets a…
Feature image: Press The Manchester Film Festival has wrapped its 12th edition, running over 11 days and showcasing a strong line-up of local and international talent from across the independent film industry. Festival director Neil Jeram-Croft reflected on this year’s programme, filled with a mix of features, shorts and documentaries spanning the cities’ cinema hotspots:…
Featured image: Press Toots and the Maytals return to Manchester for their ‘Reggae Got Soul’ 50th anniversary tour. Following their hugely successful 2025 tour, Toots and the Maytals return to Manchester to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their landmark album, Reggae Got Soul. Fronted for decades by Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert – named by Rolling Stone…
Leave a reply