Almost a year since their last appearance at the same venue in England’s second city, Bob Vylan were back at the O2 Institute, Manchester….wait…Birmingham. This time with the enigmatic CLT DRP and fellow rap artist Hyphen in tow, the ‘most important band in Britain’ proved that the confidence they have in themselves is reflected across the alternative music audience too.
Having sadly missed CLT DRP, it was Hyphen up first. The Southcoast rapper has spent the past few years moving from a life of finance frustration (as an office-based career, I’m sure he was well aware that financial frustration goes hand in hand with building a music career these days). Taking to the stage to a delightful live cover of Backstreet Boys’ ‘Everybody’, anyone unsure about who and what Hyphen is about was quickly brought up to speed. Latest single ‘Hate Yachts Not Dinghies’ getting a smirk as it was introduced before a resounding singalong of the track’s title. A reaffirming moment that thankfully was no one-off. Frustration at the housing market being ruined by boomers (if only they’d banged a few years earlier, eh?!), the hypocrisy of Tories (and politicians in general) and racism that is fueled by mass media.
This would all be a little depressing if it wasn’t for the energy that Hyphen along with his drummer and guitarist put out, combined with a crowd willing to unload their frustrations and come together for a cause. Strained vocals didn’t hold anything back as the catchy ‘Dystopian Peter Crouch’ and ‘This is Great Britain’ got the crowd moving. Being a support act can be hard, Hyphen made it look easy though with ‘Marching Powder’ being the highlight of a fun and thought-provoking set.
With latest album Humble As The Sun, a title sure to rile up the ‘haters’, Bob Vylan have given themselves a bit of a headache when it comes to putting setlists together. Before 2024 they were struggling to fit everything in, it’s now nigh on impossible to satisfy everyone. On this chilly night in Birmingham no one will have left wanting though.
Once everyone had limbered up with some guided stretching, the most productive intro of any act in the UK right now, it was straight into the new album as ‘Reign’ lay down a marker. The two Bob’s in a pod were back and the Fred Perry Mafia is thriving. Bobby Vylan’s charisma and unrelenting humour drives the set on as much as the cutting lyrics and unflinching opinions. Still though, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll see sentiment like that in ‘Dream Big’. Despite not having his daughter to join in him stage like at 2000trees, you can see this track means a lot to the Metallica Murderers.
Playing the same room 12 months apart may lead to a feeling of stagnation with some, here it was fun to see how things had changed. While before there may have been an air of preaching from them, it feels more like a conversation now. Hell, they’ll even take requests now with ‘Take That’ making a welcome appearance thanks to the Birmingham crowd. In truth it is the Slam Dunk Hooligans’ attention to their audience that elevates each experience with them. Here it was friendship bracelets and the delegation of vocals to willing volunteers in attendance.
Fan favourites like ‘The Delicate Nature’ (sans Laurie Vincent sadly) and ‘Wicked & Bad’ had an already euphoric crowd bouncing before their biggest hit, ‘We Live Here’ had a Birmingham crowd wondering just how much they were allowed to singalong. Finishing on ‘Hunger Games’ allowed the band to show their frustration at a system designed to hold those with little back while also providing some motivational words.
Bob Vylan are now a permanent fixture in our scene following years of hard work as an independent artist. The best thing though? Instead of stepping on people on their way up are helping people up the ladder with them. Panic Shack and Kid Bookie in 2023, CLT DRP and Hyphen in 2024. All hail Bob Vylan, long may they help alternative music reign.