Photo + Words: Lauren Meaney
Guildford’s Boileroom was alive on Sunday night as Essex trio, Bilk, returned to the venue for a raucous, sweaty evening of punk-rock’n’roll anthems and unfiltered energy. The night built steadily through two support acts before Bilk’s chaotic headline set.
Opening the night was Cruz, alongside his band. Those who arrived at the venue early enough to catch their set were treated to an energetic burst of gritty indie rock that built the perfect foundation for the chaos to come, getting the crowd moving early.
Hailing from Wales, Chroma were playing in Guildford for the first time – though you wouldn’t have known it from the confidence they brought. Vocalist Katie Hall commanded the stage with a fierce presence, taking a moment mid-set to dedicate a song to trans folk and urge the audience to “protect them,” before punctuating the sentiment with an unapologetic “Fuck JK Rowling!… Bitch!” The crowd roared in approval. It was a standout moment of raw honesty and community that perfectly fit the Boileroom’s inclusive spirit.
By the time Bilk took to the stage – guitarist/vocalist Solomon Abrahams and bassist Luke Hare clad in leather jackets, drummer Harry Gray in a black tank top – the room was more than ready. They entered the stage to T. Rex’s “Get It On”, then launched into “Brand New Day,” immediately sending the crowd into a frenzy. The set moved through fan favourites like “Tommy,” “Lover,” and “Spiked,” the latter sparking a particularly wild reaction. At one point, Solomon had to pause mid-set to ask, “Are yous done yet?” as a few overexcited fans started play-fighting near the front, but even that couldn’t break the momentum.
The band’s chemistry and humour kept the night grounded. Between songs, Solomon took time to thank the support acts and hype them up, a touch of genuine camaraderie that went down well. After teasing the audience with “this is our last song,” Bilk doubled back with an encore, returning to cheers a couple of minutes later. “Seeing as we’ve come back for another song, yous lot have gotta go fucking mad,” Solomon demanded – and the crowd delivered. The closing track, “I Got Knocked Out the Same Night England Did,” saw the guitarist climb onto the barricade, playing into the audience as the venue erupted.
The grassroots venue tour would not have been possible without the Music Venue Trust, a UK charity dedicated to protect and support grassroots venues. Solomon shared how important it is to keep grassroots venues alive, before thanking Boileroom for having the band.
As the amps crackled and the band slipped offstage, the echoes of chaos and community lingered. Bilk left the Boileroom buzzing – a reminder of why small venues matter, and why this band’s rise feels unstoppable. With a new tour kicking off early next year, it’s clear this band is only just getting started.
Taped Magazine 