After a sudden power cut derailed their original date, anticipation was sky-high for Vukovis rescheduled homecoming show at SWG3 in Glasgow — and the band did not disappoint.
The atmosphere was electric long before doors opened. A massive queue snaked down the road and was filled with fans eager to make up for lost time.
It’s always a party when Vukovi play their hometown, but this time, there was an added buzz in the air — like the crowd knew something special was about to happen.
The evening was kicked off by Fog Bandits who brought high energy and got the crowd moving early. Describing themselves as ‘Alternative noise’ the four piece seemed to be enjoying themselves as their songs drew a great reaction from the crowd in the decently populated venue. There’s definitely a decent band in there and you can catch them at the Stag and Dagger on May 3rd.
They were followed by the incredible Lake Malice… wow, just wow!!
Once described by Kerrang as the ‘the UK’s most exciting new alt. Metal band’ the three piece are most definitely one for the watching. The two fronts of the band didn’t stand still any longer than a second or two as they trashed the stage (metaphorically speaking of course).
Regardless of your preferred musical genre you’d be foolish not to look up ‘Lake Malice’ and give them a damned good listening too!
But the real eruption came when Vukovi took the stage.
The intro music from Hamish comprised of manic and distorted guitar played in almost complete darkness which seemed to harness the energy from the crowd and the fanfare was incredible.
From the opening notes of ‘This is my Life and my Trauma’ it was clear that the delay had only made the band and their fans more determined to let loose.
Janine arrived on stage in a black trench coat, bare legs and shod of shoes… within seconds it seemed, she had lost the coat and was now slinking around the stage in a rhinestone leotard and showing off her trade mark moves.
She really knows how to work a crowd and is good value for photographers in the pit as she teases them with her many crawling trips to the front edge of the stage.
She commanded the stage with her usual fierce charisma (complete with her tonic wine) while guitarist Hamish Reilly shredded his guitars with effortless precision far off stage left.
The setlist spanned their discography, blending fan favourites with tracks from their latest release, each one met with deafening roars from the crowd… there was a live debut for ‘Fallen Beyond’ and outstanding versions of… everything really!
The crowd was treated to some surfing by Alice from Lake Malice during the Vukovi set with Janine asking the crowd to return her to the front… the speed of her return to the front of the stage was impressive; a Glasgow crowd much practised in crowd surfing was much in evidence!
The production was tight, the sound crisp, and the energy… relentless.
By the end of the night, it was clear: the power cut may have paused the party, but it only made the celebration louder when it finally arrived.
Vukovi reminded Glasgow why they’re one of the most exciting live bands in the UK today. They have reached legendary status in their home country and it’s fantastic to see them touching other countries with their craziness and amazing sounds… the down side to that is that the Glasgow fans will need to wait longer for the homecoming gigs as Vukovi storm foreign lands!
A triumphant return and then some…
Review and Photographs by John Brown Photography
