Bob Vylan on Tour
A Bob Vylan show defines the sound of activism. The hottest grime punk rockers from the UK, their music focuses on social commentary -- class disparity, racial abuse and other miscarriages of justice -- fueling the fiery performances they've become known for. The duo has recently been hailed as the "evolution of punk."
Known for crowd surfing and stage acrobatics, Bob Vylan throw as much energy into their shows as they do fighting the social inequities of life in Great Britain and beyond. But don't be surprised if they start the show with a short guided meditation and stretching session, accompanied by a few raucous pre-recorded tracks, of course. Their 2022 tour in the U.S. is their first trip across the pond and an opportunity not to be missed.
Bob Vylan Live in Concert
Bob Vylan consists of lead vocalist Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan. The duo formed in East London in 2017 and released their debut EP Vylan the same year.
The sound of Bob Vylan is inspired by types of music more so than specific artists -- rap, grime, punk, and rock. The words are inspired by writers and speakers, including Patricia Hill-Collins, Walter Rodney and Paulo Freire. They are known to include reading lists of books they've been inspired by in their album art.
In 2018, they released the EP Lunch, setting the stage for the first full-length album release, Dread in 2019, which focused on the issues of racism and class. They ended 2019 by releasing the single "Lynch Your Leaders," whose cover art bears a photo of Queen Elizabeth. They're not afraid of controversy.
Wider recognition came with their hit single "We Live Here" in 2020, which addresses gentrification and racism from a personal point of view. Their second album, also titled We Live Here, was released in 2021. It's a 10-track commentary on right-wing ideology, income disparity and racial inequality. They turned their attention to the cost-of-living financial crisis with their next single aptly titled "GDP." In a slight departure and almost cheerful song, they address the growing concerns around health and food access inequality with the informative single "Health is Wealth."
Considered too controversial for most record labels and fiercely independent regardless, they created their own label (Ghost Theatre Records) and are the first independent act in UK history to produce, record, mix, and self-release their own album and have it reach the UK Top 20 (No. 18, to be exact). DIY magazine rated the album Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life 4.5 out of 5 stars and calls it "one of the year's most essential albums yet."
Since 2020, under their own steam, they've been nominated for awards and supported headlining bands, including a turn on stage at Wembley Arena for The Offspring. But for Bob Vylan, what's even better is that people are listening.
