It’s amazing that VANT don’t have a bigger following. Although their star has risen considerably over the last year, especially compared to my first experience of a rougher, more raw, less substantial version of their sound back in May 2015, frontman Mattie’s gushing gratitude at being in Tufnell Park to play ‘the biggest headline show [they’ve] ever done’ is bound to have raised some eyebrows given the vigour and, frankly, out-right savagery with which their stadium-filler tunes were received by the 500-or-so strong crowd.
Saying that, however, it is still truly remarkable how far Mattie and co. have come since their formation in late 2014. With their UK tour in full swing, it’s difficult to imagine that they were playing to a handful of friends and fans at Camden’s Stillery just under a year ago given the magnitude of their tracks and presence on stage. It’s hard to envision anywhere in the country being more receptive to the quartet’s politically charged, aggressive message than the capital, as it was on election night last year, and as the crowd demonstrate again tonight. With a truly comprehensive set, the atmosphere is as raucous and wild as the band would have liked from the moment they walk out.
And when they take to the stage, they’re a storm. Mattie, Billy, Henry and Greenie positively tear it up from the moment they walk out. With The Answer first up, they start as they mean to go on, with track after blood pumping, head pounding track eliciting a reaction from the crowd that increases in ferocity all night. With familiar tracks Parasite, Birth Certificate and, inevitably, Do You Know Me? providing the appropriate roars of appreciation, and newer works Parking Lot and Fly-By-Alien also drawing receptions ecstasy, it all culminates when, towards the end of the set, at Mattie’s instruction, everyone is told to ‘lose their minds in any way they want’, and there’s a spontaneous lowering to the floor of the gathered bodies in primal anticipation of the inevitable mosh.
With a surprise cover of Rihanna’s Work completing the encore accompanied by fan favourite Do You Know Me? to round of the night, stage invaders and moshers alike have undeniably been treated. As VANT continue to grow in stature, with inevitably big things to come for the Northern boys, it’s nights like these that will be remembered in years to come. As Mattie thanks the crowd, rather affectingly, for coming out for their biggest headline show to date, it’s clear to see that VANT from Planet Earth are having the time of their lives. And Planet Earth is sure glad to have them around.
