It’s a thirsty Thursday down at Foundry and after a quick pit stop at the bar for a light refreshment, I head towards the stage ahead of tonight’s jamboree.
As I make my way into the crowd, Shambolics are setting the tone for the evening and they’re doing one hell of a job.
The crowd are singing along, and if they don’t know the words then everyone’s doing a great job of faking it.
As our supports exit the stage, the DJ treats us to a bunch of classic soul tunes including ‘(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the bay and ‘Lovin’ You’.
Photography by Archie Bowmer
Due to the melodies the DJ has chosen to play, I feel like I’m almost calm and collected going into this gig. Not reyt for a punk show, surely?
And then a middle-aged man steps on the stage and shouts ‘Are you ready for Bilk?’
‘Yes, we are’ says the crowd with their body language and as they push towards the front of the stage.
The atmosphere feels high, as three young lads walk on the stage; not the most distinctive looking bunch but tonight the stage is theirs and don’t we know it as they launch into their first song of the night.
The Thursday night set kicks off with ‘Fashion’ – a high energy indie punk banger sending the mixed crowd of students and middle-aged men flying around the Foundry.
Photography by Archie Bowmer
As the crowd sing ‘Just me / And that’s all I can be / So f**k em’ no one is holding back, and it’s only the first song.
We move through some more classic Bilk bangers including ‘Be Someone’ which causes a riot; and what I mean by that is these testosterones filled lads are almost fighting as opposed to jumping and moshing.
‘Part and Parcel’ slows things down, and the timing couldn’t be more impeccable with this Thursday night crowd.
For a moment we get some peace to reflect on the triumph these young lads have made on their first UK tour and just having released one hell of a self-titled debut album.
Photography by Archie Bowmer
A few tracks later we’re back in the mayhem with the track ‘CM2’ a love letter to the bands hometown and the Sheffield crowd make sure they feel right at home as they bounce and bound around the venue.
Arguably, this is one of the strongest instrumental performances of the night from the boys who look comfortable and in control throughout this track.
Sadly, everything comes to the end and as the boys announce this is their last track I think we’re all feeling slightly disappointed…until they launch into ‘Daydreamer’.
If you’re not jumping like a jack in a box, then you must not be in the venue because the whole crowd is united; a complete sea of bodies rocking out to this perfect punk track.
Great night, great band and if Bilk aren’t on your radar; they should be.
