Live Review: Bob Vylan - O2 Ritz, Manchester
17th November 2023
Support: Kid Bookie
Words: Matthew Williams
Photos: Bill Mawdsley
With another early start probably catching a few people out, the venue wasn’t quite at full capacity for the arrival of Kid Bookie, but the ones who were inside, witnessed a really good performance from the London rapper.
Accompanied by a series of talented musicians on stage, the music comes across as more powerful that on record, with songs such as 'Fur Minxxx' and 'Stuck in My Ways' being great examples of this. The crowd are getting into it as well, with list of heads bobbing about to the beats, and the excellent rapping skills of Kid Bookie are clearly evident.
By the time he comes to end of his set, with 'In the Dark' and 'All The Same', he’s standing on the gantry at the front of the barrier going a bit crazy with the crowd, and encouraging everyone to buy his merch, as he’s “in debt with his label”. A fun start before the main event.
With the venue now filling up, there is a real Friday night buzz about the place, but I was surprised by the wide range of ages that this duo appeal to, but that’s a very good thing. I’m not sure who the person is who appears on stage, shouting “What is going on?” several times, but with a final “Bob Vylan is what is going on” he disappears and with a massive round of applause they appear, basking in the noise from the crowd, but realising that they only have “a finite amount of time tonight” Bobbie begins his guided meditation and light stretching before, with one hand raised, they launch straight into 'I Heard You Want Your Country Back', which is a cracking start, red and white lights fill the stage, as he launches himself into the crowd.
One thing is for certain, they know how to work the crowd, and after a thumping version of 'Take That' Bobbie declares his love of Manchester and how he almost, almost, moved there, but then jokingly admits that he didn’t. He also hopes that people in the 1500 sold out venue aren’t expecting a Bob Dylan tribute act, but are here to watch the “Metallica Killers” as they head into 'Northern Line' and while swishing around a cricket bat, the brilliant 'CSGB'.
Bobbie loves to chat, and that is a major part of the show. He asks the crowd “how do you feel about the police?” and as expected this is met with a large chorus of boos, and 'Pulled Pork' has the crowd jumping high. Drummer Bobbie takes the lead for the explosive 'We Live Here' as the stage is full of smoke before a bare chested Bobby returns, and he comments on how surreal it is to be here. Then comes the political musings. Chants of “Fuck the Tories” echo across the room, before the comment of “Labour are just as bad right now” just as “Free, Free Palestine” comes through loud and clear from the crowd.
Their story is humbling, no job, playing to a few people, then releasing music during Covid, helped them and now they are headlining these types of venues and selling out tours, they are really appreciative and with a new album due out next year, they do something I’ve never seen before, as they ask all the men to step back from the front, and invite as many women as possible to come to the front and have a mosh, and the energy in the room is dynamic as they play 'He’s a Man' and 'Big Dreams'.
Bobby’s stage presence is quite something, as he’s so at ease in front of people. He tells the story of why they thought nobody would listen to punk rock from two black guys without guitars, but it lead to an award winning album, from which they perform 'Bait The Bear' and then he had to deal with a discarded belt and underwear that is thrown on stage, so he sanitises his hands, just in case!
'GDP' is possibly the song of the night, as the crowd goes absolutely mental shouting the words back to him, and another new song 'Hunger Games' is blasted out, with the news that maybe Manchester might just appear in the video. Then comes another serious chat and he mentions Palestine, what happened with the recent vote, with the reaction of Sleaford Mods, and that we are witnessing a genocide in real time and how we all need to stand up and make our voices heard. This is met with loud and constant applause.
They end the evening with two of their best numbers, 'Pretty Songs' and 'Wicked & Bad' which prove that this band is a band for the modern times, but are cross generational, who appeal to a huge section of society with a message to spread and they aren’t going to be stopping any time soon.
Photo credits: Bill Mawdsley
