Not many bands, or line-ups, for that matter, can convince me to leave my Newcastle home base, but Vukovi and Soapbox are the ultimate exception. Joined by a friend with an impeccable music taste, we made the trip to Manchester for our very first visit to the O2 Ritz. From the seamlessly managed queues and rapid entry to the bar service and the overall venue aesthetic, we were set up for a great night right from the start.
Ever since I caught Glasgow-based punk outfit Soapbox opening for Snayx at Newcastle’s Think Tank, I’ve been hooked on their high energy, thumping and hard-hitting live shows. As the Glaswegian four-piece thundered across the stage, utilising every single inch of available floor space, the crowd slowly woke up to the masterclass unfolding in front of them. Shouting along to their poignant lyrics while feeling the venue floor bounce beneath my feet felt utterly cathartic. There really is nothing quite like the high of seeing one of your favourite live bands in their element.
Next up was ALT BLK ERA. Comprising two musicians who clearly revere heavy, Royal Blood-style rock alongside two powerhouse frontwomen delivering sharp rap vocals, the group almost feels like two separate bands. They put on a fiercely impressive show that had the room eating out of the palm of their hand. The only minor bump came when they asked the crowd to put their fingers in the air without any clear direction or context, which momentarily lost the momentum for me, though their raw talent remained undeniable.
Luckily, Vukovi made up for it tenfold. Having seen them before, I knew to expect absolute chaos, but frontwoman Janine Shilstone somehow managed to raise the bar even higher. While it feels bittersweet to watch the band draw the curtain on their ‘MY GOD HAS GOT A GUN’ era, this show was a phenomenal send-off for the chapter. Marching across the stage, throwing punches, striking poses, and singing her heart out alongside a devoted crowd, Janine proved once again that every Vukovi show shares one undeniable trait; unadulterated energy, relentless passion, and pure feminine rage.
One of the standout moments came early in the set when Janine pulled a fan up from the crowd and handed her a microphone. It’s always a risky move, but this time it paid off massively, so much so that when the fan finally left the stage, I think most of us were genuinely disappointed. I would have happily listened to her duet on a few more tracks!
A Vukovi set can never last long enough, but pairing an unforgettable gig with the luxury of exploring a new venue made the whole trip well worth the travel. Onto bigger and better things, and hopefully, it won’t be long before I’m shouting along with Vukovi once again.
