Bob Vylan exploded onto the punk scene a couple of years ago with their incendiary commentary of life as a black man in 20th Century Britain, We Live Here (of course one of tonights highlights) which captured the imagination of the nation and was a much needed shot in the arm to a scene whose ageing fan base includes a number of right wing curmudgeons who appear to be oblivious to, or have forgotten, some of what the original punk scene was standing up against back in the 70s. Maybe they are taking the lead from the once great but increasingly irrelevant John ”Rotten” Lydon. Thankfully there are plenty of people welcoming Bobby and Bobbie with open arms and challenging the unacceptable attitudes and behaviours of those who have crawled out of the woodwork seemingly emboldened by new confidence since the Tories ”took back control” in post-Brexit fucked up Britannia, a fact that doesn’t escape the band on several songs tonight including I Hear You Want Your Country Back and one of tonights final trio of impactful closing songs, England’s Ending.
This climate forms the basis for Bob Vylan’s songwriting across their two albums, We Live Here and The Price of Life, from which tonights set is culled. And what a set it was. Oran Mor is one of the hottest, sweatiest venues I’ve been to in Glasgow, tonight that level was ramped up to spontaneous combustion levels, being more packed than I think I’ve ever seen the place.
Before lighting the blue touch paper and standing back to watch the results, Bobby did his now expected yoga and stretches, in preparation for a no holds barred rush of pure adrenaline, sending the place into a heaving pit of pogoing bodies.
If there was anyone in attendance tonight who weren’t sure what to expect from a Bob Vylan gig, they would have been in no doubt pretty quickly, with the set opener, Big Man laying out their stall for all to hear.
What followed was a masterclass in pure punk energy, Bobby wrapping the crowd around his little finger both with his lyrical delivery and the messages of the songs, raising extra loud cheers every so often when particularly raw subjects that touch a nerve with a large proportion of the Scottish public, such as the Queen, the BBC and politics/independence were mentioned.
Fresh from what appeared to have been a triumphant set early that morning at Rebellion in Blackpool, Bobby was in top form between songs too, a huge smile on his face throughout the gig, laughing and joking with the crowd thoughout, he and Bobbie seemingly having the time of their lives. A feeling reciprocated by the packed to the rafters utterly appreciative audience, who hung on his every word giving the pair a rapturous reception and displaying a feeling of communal disappointment when the perfectly formed set came to a close, surrounded with fans, with a powerful Wicked and Bad.
Bob Vylan is one of the most important bands of this generation, their messages as vital and important as their sound and vibe. Gigs like this are life affirming.
Long Live Bob Vylan.