Alt rock duo Vukovi headlined Manchester's O2 Ritz for the first time as they toured their latest album, ‘My God Has Got A Gun’. The deeply personal album, released in January, translated to the stage for a knockout sold-out show with support from Artio and Unpeople.
The evening kicked off with queer alt rock band Artio. Don’t let singer Rae Brazill’s short stature fool you - they've got lungs to rival the best of them. Underpinned by the smooth harmonies of Robert Arkle and growl of Jai Akhurst, Artio’s vocals are full and in-your-face. A distinctly Gen-Z band, the Leeds quartet use punky electronics to tackle topics such as mental health and LGBTQ+ rights. Their set included new song Split Soul - heard only on this tour - and viral hit Product of My Own Design.
The next band, Unpeople, share Artio’s discontent with society. Fronted by Jake Crawford and Luke Caley, both recognisable from Press to MECO, and freshly-joined bassist Em Lodge, the four-piece is rounded out by Richard Rayner on drums. Their sound balances chant-like singing with heavy screams and guitar, creating a timeless sound that engaged the crowd ready for the main event.
The opening acts’ instruments were taken off stage to reveal a transparent neon orange drum kit, glowing under the lights. There were motifs of the ‘My God Has Got A Gun’ (MGHGAG) theming dotted around, with branches of cherry blossom on either side of the stage and painted amps, building anticipation for the band's set.
Guitarist Hamish Reilly and touring drummer Martin Sharples-Johnston were the first from Vukovi to appear. Like the MGHGAG album, the show begins with ‘THIS IS MY LIFE AND MY TRAUMA', a short introductory track that builds with a yell of “bang!” and transitions smoothly into the next track. As ‘GUNGHO’ began, vocalist Janine Shilstone burst into view.
Shilstone’s red cape-like catsuit (also worn in the SNO music video) added to the hypnotic grace of her movements. Barefoot and brandishing a bottle of Buckfast, she was a commandingly confident performer.
Shilstone’s sincerity was the most striking thing about the show. Even amongst the flashing lights, synths and guitars, she maintained a raw connection to the audience. When she got down on her knees to beg for forgiveness during the bridge of SNO, she looked like her life depended on it.
Taking a brief break from the fast pace of the rest of the set, ‘Colour Me In’ from their 2017 debut album was a heartfelt interlude that got phone flashlights lit up all around the room. Shilstone perched on the edge of the stage, her legs dangling over the edge as she sang directly to the audience.
Throughout the show, Vukovi brought back singers from the opening acts, with Brazil, Crawford and Lodge all making appearances. This twist allowed fans to hear the songs in new ways, with each vocalist bringing a fresh flavour to the well-loved tracks.
For the final songs, Vukovi promise the best songs they have ever written, and they mean it. Hopeful ‘I EXIST’ is simultaneously a call to keep living and an undeniable banger, followed by the ‘Run/Hide’, one of the band’s most popular tracks about Shilstone's struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Their pièce de résistance of an already stacked set was La Di Da. Em Lodge of Unpeople took on the rage-filled bridge, definitely doing it justice.
A high-energy, high-emotion show, we were lucky to catch them at the penultimate night of the tour - their 9th March Glasgow show is currently in the process of being rescheduled due to a power cut. With the amount of force behind Vukovi, it's easy to believe that an electricity grid would struggle to handle them!
Words: Gabriella Bosticco
Photos: Libby Percival
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