Live Review: Vukovi - Boston Music Rooms, London 16/03/2017

All the way from Troon in Scotland, headliners Vukovi grace the staged at Boston Music Rooms this month.



First on are Brighton act Orchards. Glitter and glasto’ vibes meet the alt/math-rock scene in the melting pot and the result is Orchards – fun, bouncy and interesting. They’re super original, which is really, really refreshing for me – their single “Peggy” really epitomises the band’s sound. Complex clean guitar licks and awkward, extended chords plus the underpinning bass contrast well with singer Lucy’s voice. Imagine the band CHON, then add vocals. Yep.



Critics are a change in scene. The four piece are more alternative and indie pop than their co-supports and ooze swagger – well founded or otherwise. With Jamie on keys taking on bass and harmony duties along with guitarist Jack, the band plow through an electric set that elicits at least a small response from the building crowd. Vocalist Lynn has a charisma that takes over the stage – he’s loud, laddish and full of cheek, something that seems to down well with the audience.



With Vukovi having only released their debut album only on March 10th, the crowd seem to know most, if not all of the words to every song. Dominating the stage with her blue dreadlocks is frontwoman Janine, who dances for the photographers, steals phones from the crowd and interacts with the entire room. They open as the eponymous album does with track “La Di Da” – though the main moment of note goes out to their track “Colour Me In” which sees Janine calling for people to take out their phones and use the flashlights to turn the audience into a sea of glimmering dots – it’s truly magical to behold. Other prominent singles “Animal” and “Weirdo” are received incredibly well, ending with an encore of “Boy George”. This band are only getting started – I eagerly anticipate their next release.



Words and Photography by Rhys Haberfield