Live
Bilk
Circolo Magnolia, Milan
16 March 2025 (gig)
19 h
Bilk, the three-piece band from Chelmsford, is on its first European tour, and tonight, they’re playing at Circolo Magnolia in Milan. Formed in 2018, the trio—Sol Abrahams on guitar and vocals, Luke Hare on bass, and Harry Gray on drums—has been steadily gaining momentum. Their early, raw but intriguing singles and EPs ultimately led to the release of their excellent self-titled debut album in 2023, which brought them widespread attention across the UK. Since then, relentless touring has built a loyal fan base, and with the release of this year’s new album, Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, they’ve been filling bigger venues back home, with growing crowds and increasing recognition from both fans and critics.
However, a first European tour means going back to smaller halls and working to win over new audiences. Last night’s show in Munich was sold out, in Milan the crowd is slightly less dense. Italy has always been a little slow to catch onto new waves, especially in the indie scene, and tonight will likely remind the band of their early days. But really, what could be better than playing your own rock and roll songs in the land of great food and wine?
Despite the modest turnout, the crowd is enthusiastic from the moment Bilk takes the stage. It’s clear that both the band and the audience are here to have fun, and Bilk delivers in spades. Even on the final night of their European tour, they show no signs of fatigue—just uninhibited energy and a rock-solid set.
Bilk’s sound is all about back-to-basics rock and roll: tight, punchy three-minute songs with no unnecessary frills. Even for first-time listeners, the hooks are immediate and infectious—it’s easy to jump aboard the Bilk train. Sol Abrahams has that unmistakable presence of a British rock frontman: a sharp, modish look, a quick tongue, and the kind of restless energy that keeps the punters attentive. His Weller-esque jumps and attention to detail drive the show forward, ensuring that the locomotive stays firmly on the rails.
Many of the songs feature extended bass and drum intros or stretched-out guitar outros, adding an extra edge to the live performance that isn’t as apparent on record. The looseness of these moments only strengthens the punchy, tight core of their sound. The crowd is young, and Sol’s lyrics speak directly to them. Some tracks are already becoming anthems: “On It,” “Skidmark,” and “Very Nice Life” from the new album all land perfectly in the live setting. Italians aren’t exactly famous for moshing, but “Band Life Blues” got the party started, and by the time the encores of “CM2” and the magical “Daydreamer” rolled around, sweat was dripping from the walls.
After the show, I caught up with Sol and Harry, who were genuinely pleased with how well the tour had gone. They’ve grown in confidence—not just in their abilities, but in their identity as a band. Plans are already in motion for more European festival dates later this year, as well as another UK tour. Meanwhile, Sol has already begun working on a new album.
Bilk is on the rise, and with this newfound belief and momentum, it won’t be long before they make their mark on a bigger stage. Now’s the time to hop on for the ride.
Check out the videos below and you will be onboard. Excellent!
However, a first European tour means going back to smaller halls and working to win over new audiences. Last night’s show in Munich was sold out, in Milan the crowd is slightly less dense. Italy has always been a little slow to catch onto new waves, especially in the indie scene, and tonight will likely remind the band of their early days. But really, what could be better than playing your own rock and roll songs in the land of great food and wine?
Bilk’s sound is all about back-to-basics rock and roll: tight, punchy three-minute songs with no unnecessary frills. Even for first-time listeners, the hooks are immediate and infectious—it’s easy to jump aboard the Bilk train. Sol Abrahams has that unmistakable presence of a British rock frontman: a sharp, modish look, a quick tongue, and the kind of restless energy that keeps the punters attentive. His Weller-esque jumps and attention to detail drive the show forward, ensuring that the locomotive stays firmly on the rails.
Many of the songs feature extended bass and drum intros or stretched-out guitar outros, adding an extra edge to the live performance that isn’t as apparent on record. The looseness of these moments only strengthens the punchy, tight core of their sound. The crowd is young, and Sol’s lyrics speak directly to them. Some tracks are already becoming anthems: “On It,” “Skidmark,” and “Very Nice Life” from the new album all land perfectly in the live setting. Italians aren’t exactly famous for moshing, but “Band Life Blues” got the party started, and by the time the encores of “CM2” and the magical “Daydreamer” rolled around, sweat was dripping from the walls.
After the show, I caught up with Sol and Harry, who were genuinely pleased with how well the tour had gone. They’ve grown in confidence—not just in their abilities, but in their identity as a band. Plans are already in motion for more European festival dates later this year, as well as another UK tour. Meanwhile, Sol has already begun working on a new album.
Bilk is on the rise, and with this newfound belief and momentum, it won’t be long before they make their mark on a bigger stage. Now’s the time to hop on for the ride.
Check out the videos below and you will be onboard. Excellent!
