BOB VYLAN // THE GARAGE, GLASGOW
Bob Vlyan - Powerhouse beats with a crowd down for a fight
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Thinking about the state of world right now leaves one's mind in great pain. The destructive chokehold of the pandemic undeniably lingers as sadistic genocide and war rages. Humanity continues to wreck havok with a trial by fire obsession.
Bob Vlyan are duo that here to teach us something about our existence through grime and rock. The two Londoners hide their identity from the public and both go by the aliases Bob Vylan. After starting 2017, they have gathered fans through grit and hard work and have reached commercial success by breaking into the UK Album Chart top 20.
Unforeseen events had caused the Scottish night to be rescheduled and then rescheduled again, however, Glasgow's club classic The Garage was bustling and rambunctious. Bob Vylan were on stage sharply with a strict curfew to adhere to.
Starting with a guided meditation and then charging out like prizefighters to the wonderfully titled I Heard You Want Your Country Back, it's clear the group came with a message of freedom, fight, and power. Front man, Bobby, is the chief of pack of frenzied moshers in the crowd and he has already thrown himself in by second song Take That.
Drummer, Bobby, blasts out relentlessly. He has a laugh with the crowd at points but it is mostly his stagemate who does the talking. Stories of Bob Vlyan's influence in turning Slaves to Softplay nestle beside tales of life and pigs. A prominent speech about Palestine is made which is whole heartedly supported by venue. The night is force of anger, passionate and honest. Songs like GDP, Pretty Songs and their finisher Wicked and Bad ignite sparks in crowd that say there is power to change and value to fight.
It's not often that a gig can bring on such a whirl of emotions. With rough and ready beats and lyrics that are worth paying attention, Bob Vylan are charging ahead. It was said many times throughout the night by the pair that Bob Vlyan are the most important act in British music and they pitched their case and made their point clearly.