Bob Vylan Rages for a Second Sold-Out Night at London’s Electric Brixton [Photos]

Living in the UK at the moment might be a struggle for many but, musically, this social, political and economical shit show has inspired a wealth of creativity amongst the underground punk/metal scene. Further proof, if needed, of the connection comes from looking towards Electric in Brixton where punk rock agitator Bob Vylan is headlining two sold-out nights.

It’s not just London though were the alternative scene is positively crackling. Turn your heads towards Brighton and you will find acts like tonight’s opener CLT DRP creating exciting new music. It’s back to London though for main support Hyphen who, much like the headliner, explores the challenges of living in Britain in 2024 and creatively crafts them into musical Molotov cocktails exploding across the stage.

For all of the quality that the two supports brought to the party, the night belongs to the headliner Bob ‘Fuckin’ Vylan. The Guardian recently compared Vylan to Rage Against The Machine and, yes, while there are similarities, there is something very different to experiencing 80,000 fans in Finsbury Park to watching a few hundred frustrated Londoners losing their shit to one of the most explosive acts on the UK circuit.

Now, old school punks may dismiss the label Bob Vylan has been tagged but, there is something very similar between the frustration, the fury and the outright rage that the original punk rock scene was born from, with that which is spitting out of artists like Bob Vylan. Yes, they may be a million miles apart musically but, as you feel the rage build up during tracks like “Makes Me Violent” or “GDP”, it just feels like that vibe and energy has returned in 2024.

Tackling subjects that hit home hard with many people, Bob Vylan doesn’t hold back and watching the sight of a few hundred people going through what can best be described as a cathartic shit-losing experience is quite special. Of course it helps that, alongside the frustration and the reality of his words, Vylan can write an absolutely banging tune, but this is more than just another gig. For one hour on stage, Bob Vylan didn’t help these fans forget their troubles, he just gave them an hour to unleash all that bottled-up rage.

V13’s photographer Harry Wassell Creative headed down to Brixton and you can check out the gallery and Bob Vylan Set List here.

Bob Vylan Set List:

Guided Meditation and Light Stretching
Reign
GYAG (Get Yourself a Gun)
Dream Big
He’s a Man
Makes Me Violent
Everybody Loves the Sunshine
Ring the Alarm
Right Here
Take That
Northern Line
Wicked & Bad
Pretty Little Songs
GDP / I Heard You Want Your Country Back / England’s Ending / CSGB
We Don’t Care (It Ain’t Safe)
The Delicate Nature
We Live Here
Hunger Games

Bob Vylan (w/ Hyphen, CLT DRP) @ Electric Brixton (London, UK) on November 8th, 2024

36 photos