Pop Break Live: Bilk “Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll Tour 2025” with The Pill at Electric Ballroom in London, England on February 7, 2025.
Written by: Yassmin Elmouzaieg
The Electric Ballroom has a history of hosting rising stars, and on this particular night, it was set ablaze by the Essex punk trio Bilk. The venue — where Billie Eilish performed a one-night-only show in London on August 29 — transformed into an electrified pit of energy as fans packed in for an unforgettable night. With openers The Parallels and The Pill setting the stage, the crowd was primed for chaos, and chaos was exactly what they got.
The moment Bilk took the stage, the atmosphere shifted. It wasn’t just excitement but it was a palpable, almost combustible energy. As soon as the first chords rang out, the crowd erupted, bodies colliding as the entire floor turned into a pulsating sea of movement. People surged forward, jumping in sync with the pounding drums, creating an unstoppable wave of sweat-drenched enthusiasm.
Then came the crowd surfers. One moment, you’re locked in a sweaty push-pull of bodies, the next, a man in a bright yellow suit is floating above you, riding the tide of raised hands. Not long after, a figure in a wolf mask followed, adding a surreal, almost absurd visual to the already chaotic scene. The moshing was relentless, the kind of frenetic, all-consuming energy that leaves you bruised but exhilarated.
Halfway through their set, Bilk threw in a surprise. “Since we’re near Essex,” lead singer Sol Abrahams announced, “we had to add this one.”
The opening chords of “CM2″ rang out, a song that wasn’t originally on the setlist but felt like the perfect addition for the night. The crowd roared in approval, chanting every lyric back as if it were an anthem custom-made for this very moment.
The setlist primarily pulled from their latest album, Essex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll, a project that perfectly encapsulates their raw, unapologetic approach to music. Tracks like “Daydreamer” and “Hummus and Pitta” sent the crowd into a frenzy, while “Be Someone” gave just enough breathing room before the chaos resumed.
As the night wound down, Bilk proved that their connection to fans extends beyond the stage. The band stuck around after their set, chatting with attendees, signing posters, and proving that, beyond the raucous energy, they genuinely value the people who come out to see them. It’s the kind of personal touch that cements a band as not just performers, but a vital part of their community.
Leaving the venue, you could still hear echoes of the night with excited chatter, voices hoarse from screaming, and the occasional hum of a Bilk chorus. For those who were there, it wasn’t just another gig. It was a reminder of why live music matters which includes the sweat, the spontaneity, and the shared, unfiltered joy of it all.
