VUKOVI are having quite the whirlwind year. It’s only March, yet they’ve already released their fourth album, ‘My God Has Got a Gun’, and completed a UK and European tour, igniting stages across multiple cities with their electrifying talents and infectious energy. The dynamic duo hailing from Kilwinning, Scotland, comprised of Janine Shilstone and Hamish Reilly alongside touring drummer Martin Sharples-Johnston, provided a powerhouse performance at a packed-out SWX last Thursday night, delivering a show that will no doubt go down as one of The Bristol Gig Guide’s standout events of 2025.
Emerging onto the stage amidst the haunting intensity of ‘THIS IS MY LIFE AND MY TRAUMA’, silhouetted by the lights, they launched straight into the punchy ‘GUNGHO’ and ‘MISTY ECSTASY’. With all of the first tracks being from their recent release, the electrifying opening instantly seized the audience’s attention, proving that the new record had already made its mark despite only being released in January –and that the crowd weren’t just there for the more established fan favourites
As the night progressed, the band delivered a dynamic set spanning their back catalogue, including ‘SLO’ and ‘LASSO’, where they were joined by the vocalist of supporting act Artio. The intensity suddenly surged with ‘C.L.A.U.D.I.A’, as a massive pit erupted in the center of the room, followed by the menacing tones of ‘CREEP HEAT’, and sustaining a charged and unrelenting energy that carried on through to the end of the show.
As a performer, Shilstone fully embodies the rockstar persona in the best way possible, exuding pure confidence in her unshakable stage presence, interacting with the crowd in a way that appeared effortless and entirely natural, at one point requesting that the audience crowd-surf her from the stage to the back of the room without missing a beat of her performance, despite in some moments being caught in laughter from the sheer absurdity of the moment. Meanwhile, Reilly keeps the pace and expresses himself and his energy through his crushing guitar wizardry, working in perfect harmony with the relentless pace of the drums.
Closing with ‘RUN//HIDE’ and ‘LA DI DA’, no encore was given or needed; the band confident that they had delivered a flawless performance that stood on its own without the need for further validation. In doing so, they solidified their status as true entertainers, leaving the audience electrified, inspired, and craving more. While ‘MGHGAG’ may be their fourth album, VUKOVI are just at the start of their reign as frontrunners in the rock scene of the UK and their presence will no doubt continue to expand internationally.
Words: Phoebe Messenger Images: Adie White
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
Role: Reviewer
Outside of my day job, I’m a regular gig-goer and have always enjoyed writing articles to fuel the passion even further, whether that be through reviews for live shows or for full albums.
Available for: Gig reviews, album/single reviews and artist interviews.
First attended gig: The first show I bought a ticket to myself was 30 Seconds To Mars supported by Enter Shikari at the Brighton Centre.
First gig reviewed: The first gig I reviewed was a showcase of underground DIY rock acts dubbed ‘Deprestlemania’ at The Victoria in Dalston.
Dream gig: Alice in Chains (Layne era) or Pearl Jam in the 90s