Raw, unapologetic, and fiercely real—Bilk is a band that doesn’t hold back. Their music is a punch to the gut, their lyrics anthems for the disillusioned. At Stereo, Glasgow, they delivered a riotous, unforgettable performance.
Real. Authentic. Raw. Like, very raw.
Essex-native indie band Bilk doesn’t mess around when it comes to their brutally honest lyrics and smack-you-in-the-face instrumentation.
Performing in the heart of Glasgow at the gritty depths of Stereo—a venue that’s a perfect fit for this attitude-filled trio—Bilk, consisting of Sol Abrahams (vocals & guitar), Luke Hare (bass), and Harry Gray (drums), brought an “I don’t give a f*ck” energy that’s hard to come by these days.
They didn’t shy away from topics many choose to ignore, confronting reality with blunt-force honesty. Their latest album, Essex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll, is a testament to this, featuring tracks like F Up, which paints a vivid picture of a midweek degenerate’s life—unapologetic, reckless, and self-aware. Perhaps the chorus resonated most, celebrating toast as peak cuisine while fully embracing life as an F Up. “Why would I want to get a job when everyone moans about theirs?”—the sweet words of a true artist. It’s the ultimate middle finger to the mundane, grey world, choosing instead to live vibrantly.
Taking a breather from the relentless, heavy-hitting bangers, one song stood out—when Abrahams reached for the acoustic and masterfully misdirected the unsuspecting audience: “This next song is about someone you really love and care about.” Enter Skidmark. The title says it all. The audience, myself included, was in hysterics. A lovely, stripped-back song indeed… about someone you most definitely don’t love or care about.
A well-rounded, electric performance: Abrahams’ dead-cool stare as he delivered scathing lyrics, Hare’s relentless punk-infused movements as he flipped and turned his bass effortlessly, and Gray’s controlled chaos behind the kit. Just another day in the office for these cool-as-hell rockstars. The album has been on repeat since the gig, and like their trajectory, it won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
A great performance, a great band—catch them if you can, if your city isn’t already sold out.
Words & pictures: Josue Rodriguez @byjrod__