Vukovi | Unpeople | Artio
O2 Ritz, Manchester
eighth March 2025
Vukovi have been touring their new launch My God Has Acquired A Gun throughout Europe and are wrapping up with dates within the UK. The penultimate efficiency sees them arrive on the O2 Ritz in Manchester with touring help from Unpeople and Artio.
Artio, from Leeds, get as near house as this tour goes. They’ve been making fairly the noise on the Leeds alt-rock circuit since 2018 and are choosing up momentum after the interruption of the pandemic. Tonight sees them rip by a brief set taken from their Babyface album and the string of singles and EPs that preceded its launch. The set could also be brief however definitely packs a punch with Sertraline, Babyface and Pyrokid standing out. Their efficiency is an energy-packed introduction to the band, who’ve a rising status.
Unpeople are Jake Crawford (vocals & guitar), Luke Caley (guitar), Richard Rayner (drums) and new addition Em Lodge (bass). They ship a set of punchy alt-rock tunes, full of anthemic chant-along songs pushed with large drum and bass backup. All members of the band are concerned within the vocal to-ing and fro-ing which provides the songs a conversational really feel
The bodily efficiency matches the vitality with Crawford’s high-kicks and Caley’s jumps accentuating the music’s excessive factors. They ship an actual crowd pleaser of a set which ends with Caley showing on a crowd member’s shoulders through the set-closer The Backyard.
The choral chorus of This Is My Life And My Trauma is the intro to Vukovi’s newest launch My God Has Acquired A Gun. Tonight it pronounces the arrival of Vukovi on-stage. The repeated vocal with a scratchy guitar intro is interrupted with a BANG, instantly adopted with a brief barrage of double kicked drums and wall of overdriven guitar. It’s a good set starter.
Janine Shilstone (vocals) and Hamish Reilly (Guitar) are the everlasting members of Vukovi. Shilstone is draped in a purple jewel-encrusted physique go well with accomplished with a cloak of veils. These are used to create fluid wave-like actions all through the present. Reilly’s customary black rock uniform might not draw the eye in the identical approach, however the sounds emanating from his guitar present the backdrop for Shilstone’s theatrics.
The brand new album tracks are entrance and centre with Gungho main into Misty Ecstasy, the primary single from the brand new album. The gang are on the hook with not one of the reservations that new materials can generally convey. Fortuitously, there’s loads of area for his or her earlier materials. The highlights are right here and are available thick and quick.
Color Me In gives a small respite with Shilstone sitting on the stage entrance connecting with the group who maintain telephone torches aloft all through. My God Has Acquired A Gun stands out as a spotlight of the album and tonight’s present. It’s a pile-driver of a tune. Shilstone is just not a believer in breaking the spell they usually cruise straight into the final three songs.
Visitor appearances from Rae (Artio), Em (Unpeople) and Jake (Unpeople) are testomony to how tight these bands have change into all through their travels. The set-closer La Di Da sees Shilstone take to the group as she surfs all through. Her voice is delivered to a roof which just about raises as the group roars their approval.
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Artio are on Fb, Instagram, Bandcamp
Unpeople are on Fb, Instagram, Bandcamp
Vukovi are on Fb, Instagram, Bandcamp
Phrases and photos by Neil Chapman (Unholy Racket). You’ll be able to go to his creator profile for Louder Than Battle. He’s often discovered on Fb and Instagram
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