LIVE REVIEW: Bob Vylan @ Academy, Manchester

The punk duo, known by many names “Two Bobs in a pod”, “the cutest band in punk rock”, “the Slam Dunk hooligans”, but mostly known as BOB VYLAN returned to Manchester on Saturday night for the biggest headline show in the city yet. Touring in support of their latest album, Humble As The Sun, released in April this year, the band took over Manchester Academy with full force. Last time they were here, they played the O2 Ritz just down the road – but this time, they’ve levelled up to a larger stage, drawing an even bigger crowd.

Brighton-based trio CLT DRP (pronounced “clit drip”) opened the night with a unique blend of punk, electronica, and heavy pop that hit the crowd like a shot of adrenaline. As the audience filtered in, lead singer Annie Dorrett took command of the stage with fierce, shouty vocals that rippled through the room, setting the perfect tone for the night. Their sound was both raw and refined, filling the big stage effortlessly, and they slotted into this line up perfectly. Having previously toured with bands like WARGASM and HERIOT, CLT DRP are clearly carving their own path—and judging by this set, it’s one you don’t want to miss. The band wrapped up their set with one of my stand out songs of their set, Nothing Clever, Just Feelings, a gritty, electronic tune which features the lyrics, “I’m still trying to win you over.” As the final notes rang out, the singer asked, “What do you say, Manchester? Did we win you over?”, and we can confidently say they did.

Rating: 7/10

If there was any doubt HYPHEN would leave an impression, they shattered it the second they walked on stage to the sounds of the BACKSTREET BOYS, with their singer, Mr Hyphen himself, rocking some gloriously tiny shorts. From the get-go, this band had personality – and they weren’t shy about it. HYPHEN brought a refreshing blend of rap and hip-hop, as well as punk, and indie themes to the stage, delivering a brilliantly passionate set that crackled with energy and authenticity.

Their lyrics took centre stage, fearlessly addressing a range of political and personal issues – from social injustices to economic inequality – with a level of passion that felt both genuine and urgent. Tracks like Hate Thy Neighbour and 3 Pound Pints were laced with sharp wit and biting social commentary, adding humour to their hard-hitting messages. The crowd favourite of the night was undoubtedly Hate Yachts Not Dinghies, where the audience joined in, shouting the title line with such force it felt like a rallying cry. For a support act, HYPHEN brought headliner-level intensity, blending humour with conviction and leaving an indelible mark on the audience. A brilliant set and an absolutely perfect opener for BOB VYLAN.

Rating: 9/10

Finally, the moment everyone’s been waiting for – BOB VYLAN took the stage, and the energy is instant. Entering to THE BEATLES‘ Here Comes The Sun, which perfectly nods to their latest album and reason for this tour, Humble As The Sun, and kicks off the set with a sense of bright anticipation. They open, as all BOB VYLAN shows do, with a unique warm-up: light stretching and a brief guided meditation. It’s a surprising ritual for a punk gig, but the crowd embraces it, swaying, toe-tapping along and gearing up for what’s clearly the calm before the storm.

In the context of the tour, it only made sense for them to kick things off with Reign and GYAG (Get Yourself A Gun) from Humble As The Sun but the setlist was a relentless mix of tracks both old and new, covering favourites such as Northern Line, Wicked & Bad and crowd-selected Bait The Bear. Each track carried the grit and urgency that define BOB VYLAN’s sound, tackling issues like racism, class struggles, and systemic injustices head-on. The energy didn’t dip for a second, and the crowd didn’t either – fans kept moving, moshing, and shouting along with every lyric.

Throughout the night, Bobby plunged into the crowd multiple times, fully immersing himself in the chaotic scenes. Drummer Bobbie took a brief moment to give the crowd a breather with a heartfelt thank you, explaining that, as a fully independent band, they couldn’t have achieved their success without the fans. It’s impressive to see just how far they’ve come – a self-produced, self-released album breaking into the Top 20 entirely on their own label. It’s a testament to their commitment, both to their craft and to staying true to their roots.

Toward the end of the set, BOB VYLAN made a point of letting fans know they’d be hanging out at the merch stand afterward to chat and sign things, but with a few ground rules: no body parts! The crowd playfully booed, to which Bobby responded with a laugh, joking that the men wouldn’t have anything big enough to sign anyway. The duo closed with the powerful one-two punch of We Live Here and The Hunger Games, two tracks that brought the entire room to a fever pitch one last time.

The crowd gave it their all, and it was clear BOB VYLAN had too, sending everyone off with the perfect ending to an unforgettable night. It was a punk show in every sense of the word, and we definitely got our “two Bob’s worth”.

Rating: 10/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Manchester from El Dawson here: 

Like BOB VYLAN on Facebook.