Daydreamer’s “No Future” as Rock ‘n’ Roll band Bilk recognise the plight of grassroots venues

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Category: news
Updated: 20th October 2025
Written by Bryony Mezzatesta
Daydreamer’s “No Future” as Rock ‘n’ Roll band Bilk recognise the plight of grassroots venues

Deftly placed slap bang in the centre of a 20-date UK tour, our hometown venue in Peterborough opens its doors for one night only to rock n roll’s finest young things. Bilk have long been known as a band who don't take life too seriously, flaunting their no-nonsense attitudes and observational songwriting, capturing nothing more than the essence of wild youth. Despite this approach, their latest endeavour demonstrates an acute awareness of the crisis our community is currently facing in the rapid loss of essential grassroots venues across the board. Working in conjunction with the Music Venue Trust and Save Our Scene, the band embark on a lengthy tour, reaching venues that supported them in the early days of their career and those they would otherwise not visit on a shorter tour run. In return, each ticket is sold with the option for fans to donate to the MVT, allowing crucial support to find those in most need.

“Everyone deserves a chance to grow and get seen by people if the music is good, and the Grassroots Venues are instrumental in that for upcoming bands and artists. When we were coming up as a band, those were the places we’d play week in and week out. With small venues closing, it’s going to be harder for good, organic music made by musicians from normal backgrounds to get out there and leave upcoming artists hopelessly banking on a viral TikTok for exposure or being an industry plant.”

- Sol Abrahams, Bilk speaking to the Music Venue Trust.

Friday night, and we’re stoked to make our return to the crowd for a band we’ve admired for the best part of a year now. Gig Guide X Bilk interview here. Sol Abrahams, Luke Hare & Harry Gray form a trio so garishly cliché, yet refreshingly fun, we now have somewhat of an addiction to following their climb up the ranks of music royalty. Opening support came by way of local four-piece The Portland, offering a contemporary indie sound and a frontman reminiscent of a young Sam Fender. A solid choice.

Then we witnessed something magical. Mick Jaggar-meets-Franz Ferdinand, Brighton’s latest export, and bona fide superstar Ellis D, had that room in the palm of his hand from the get-go, as he opened in Bilk’s main support slot. Never in all my time working as a journalist have I come away from a support act feeling the way I did that night, the intensity of his stage presence, the effortless yet vigorous sway and shake as he commanded the performance space, his oh-so enigmatic keyboard player strutting with equal vim and vigour. Nothing about that performance was forgettable, and we are already taking notes on the future for this band. A true master of his craft. Bravo, Bilk, a worthy addition to the bill.

“We didn’t come here to stand about, we came here to play some rock n roll, yeah.” Not one to mince his words, catalogue poster boy for rock music and frontman for headliners Bilk, Sol Abrahams, storms onto the stage, wingmen in tow to the tune of blues, sunglasses donned, scuzzy vibes established and no shits given attitudes ramped up to 100 (and fifty). There’s occasionally an air of trying too hard with these boys, but ultimately they come across as authentic, especially when we realise the self-fulfilling prophecy of their message. Life is for living, and they want us to do it carefree.

Familiar tracks Brand New Day, RNR and Tommy take the first slots, keeping the atmosphere loaded and with buzz (Ellis D’s successful efforts not binned in the slightest), followed by new track Are You Gonna Be My Lover?, which, I surprise myself greatly in saying, was the moment of the night. Comparisons to Jet and the ol’ Gallagher boys clearly evident, but it’s one hell of a song, it really is. And if, once again, we remind ourselves of Bilk’s sole intention to breathe life back into rock n roll, I think they’ve just done themselves justice. Patiently awaiting single release. We’ll let you know when we know.

“Because for normal people, normal bands, this is how you cut your teeth, the same way that me and the boys here have done it. So give a big cheer to the Music Venue Trust for making this tour happen with us, and a big cheer for yourselves for being here and looking pretty and all that. And a big cheer for us while you’re at it.” Sol leads his army in a chorus of whoops and hollers, his Estuary English accent delighting passionate observers front, centre and the tunes flow. CM2 a firm favourite with the crowd, and an opportunity for the trio to let go for a bit. The ‘no future’ Sol echoes at the close of Daydreamers, one Johnny Rotten would be proud of, bringing punk momentarily back to life in direct comparison to Soft Play’s nod to his disapproval. IYKYK.

Despite the aforementioned sense of cliché Bilk eternally carry in their flight cases, we left feeling elated. They are fun. There’s no denying it. They might not have played Skidmark, an iconic number on their 2025 album Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll, but they sure as hell woke us up on Friday evening. Bilk- you did it again, nice one.

Photo Credit James Kirkland