'The greatest live band in the UK right now' is not a term that's thrown around carelessly. Yet, with Glasgow's VLURE, it's a term I've seen all too often in social media circles, at an increasing frequency. And after finally seeing them on Tuesday night, I can confirm that the rumours are indeed true.
Scotland is on a thunderous streak with new rock music - Spyres, Dead Pony and swim school to name a few. Yet, Vlure take traditional guitars and transport them to the epicentre of the rave, with some of the most addictive synth hooks since The Chemical Brothers' early days.
Laced with a glitchy intro that hangs about throughout the track, 'Show Me How To Live Again' stole the set, launching into it after opening with 'Heartbeat.' The tense bassline transfixed the room through the verse as vocalist Hamish Hutcheson channelled his inner Joe Talbot with his relentless, masterful vocal style.
Hit single 'Shattered Faith', to my pleasant surprise, had most of the room singing along to the melody. Ten years ago, that riff would have 100% been written on a guitar. Vlure are pushing the concept of a riff, and British rock music, even further forward - intentionally or otherwise. While plenty of bands have failed to emulate the success that Bring Me The Horizon spearheaded with bringing heavy electronic sounds into in metal, Vlure are crafting out their own path that cuts through the mediocrity in the more unequivocal post-punk revival we've seen over the past few years.
Considering they haven't released a track in a year, the recent hype train that Vlure are on has more or less been built entirely on a live reputation. For such a cramped stage in The Old Blue Last, the five-piece exceeded all expectations with a complete sonical and physical takeover that was lapped up by the sold out crowd. Finishing with a cover of Faithless' 'God is a DJ' in tribute to the late Maxi Jazz was a fitting way to honour one of their heroes - an instrumental figure in electronic music, whose influence is evident in the very fabric of Vlure's identity.
It's intense, it's fresh and there's plenty of fireworks still to come. Vlure will tour the UK supporting Lynks as part of DIY's Now and Next series, and tickets are on sale here.
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