O2 Forum Kentish Town played host to one of the live show highlights of 2025 so far. Vukovi, supported by Unpeople and Artio, dominated the vast venue on a Friday night in the capital. It would be their largest headline show to date as they catapulted their own brilliance further into the industry’s prized eyes as their audience moshed and raged. Vukovi’s rise up through the Metal ranks has been evident, and tonight was a further example of how far the band will undoubtedly take themselves.
Vukovi – Unpeople – Artio
O2 Kentish Town Forum – 7 March 2025
Words: Monty Sewell
Photography: Manuela Langotsch
Vukovi
The excitement was palpable beyond anticipation as Vukovi entered the stage of the Forum to a monumental cheer. Core members Janine Shilstone (vocals) and Hamish Reilley (guitar) launched an attack on mediocracy as their first number, This Is My Life And My Trauma, blasted out over the venue in all its Metal glory.
Their latest album, My God Has Got A Gun, spun its way over a colossal backdrop that set the stage as a black-and-red statement to be reckoned with. The band matched the aesthetic, donning dystopian glamour with an edge.
Having released My God Has Got A Gun a mere month and a half ago, the packed-out punters were already hot on the record’s lyrics, screaming in soul along to the set. Bladed, Gungho, Misty Ecstasy and more, their already proven track record of writing great music continued to showcase itself onstage.
Shilstone swept her way across the stage, barefoot and unending in energy. Despite the three-piece set-up, Vukovi claimed every inch of their wide-set podium with the grandeur of an eleven-man band. The proof of their insatiable exuberance was in the mosh-heavan pudding which began to form right from the first beat played.
Tracks from albums Nula, Fall Better, and Vukovi, the debut self-titled release, were rife, each perfectly woven into a set that saw no drop in fan enthusiasm throughout. Shilstone’s vocals were both haunting and redoubtable in their force. Her ability to command the thousands and rain nothing but Metal-laced restoration upon them is a joy to watch.
Reilly’s riff-ready roars upon his plethora of six-string accompaniment’s guide each song with an added live kick. The sheer velocity of fire and fury pouring out of each moment is a true testament to Vukovi’s longstanding collaboration and dexterous graft within their craft.
Supporting band Unpeople’s frontman Jack Crawford joins the band onstage for My God Has Got A Gun. Raising the song from a great recorded track to an impounding live performance, these surprise moments keep the live scene alight with constant compelling collaboration.
Artio’s Rae Brazill also joins them onstage for Lasso. After Artio’s brilliant opening set, the crowd continues to move and scream for Brazill as they add their powerful vocals to the song. Having a band invite support acts into their headline sets is always an exciting addition, and tonight, it hits the spot only too well.
A heartfelt moment comes when Shilstone kneels at the front of the stage and emotionally thanks the audience for their support. Met with an appreciative cheer in return, there is nothing but an abundance of love for Vukovi and what they bring to their fans.
Tonight, Vukovi smashed it and gave us their absolute all. Watching them climb the ladder from smaller venues to thousands-capacity Forums is not only a delight but a true pleasure. They continue to break through the moulds of the Metal scene, and we look forward to catching them again.
Arena’s beckon.
Unpeople
If you haven’t heard of Unpeople yet, prepare to. This band has been coined as the next huge thing, and tonight, they did nothing to squander that statement. With released music already creating waves of Metal mania intrigue, the four-piece threw down one of the most deliciously heavy live shows seen in a long time.
Frontman Jake Crawford is one heck of a powerhouse screech-boat tour de force as he belts each song with enough energy to take down a twenty-foot mammoth. Each element of Unpeople screams raw longevity for the band.
Their six-song discography is played to the full, as their killer EP, released last year, was followed by a single, The Garden, which spawned equal measures of engorged hefty composition. The beats are enormous, each riff-melody is memorable and an infusion of Rock that entwines itself within the music, creating a big anthemic chorus.
The entire set has its audience gasping for more. Unpeople are here to stay and, even more so, about to make a heavy music household name for themselves.
Artio
Opening the night was the astutely brilliant Artio. These Alt-rockers brought a thunderous performance to the Forum, paving the path for their success. Having released their debut album, Babyface, last year, their set consisted of the record’s highlights as well as further releases from the past five years.
Heading the band is enigmatic Rae Brazill. With both sweet-toned and soul-hitting vocals, Brazill guides the audience through Artio’s set, which has the audience in the grips of greatness from the get-go. Each song spawns a feeling of power within the words, with the band leaning into each graft-ridden riff with meaning.
We cannot wait to see more of Artio. If you haven’t already, get your hands on that album.
