With the release of their newest album KINDA HARD in April, genre-bending rock outfit Bilmuri has been on quite a successful run these past few months, with a nearly sold-out headliner tour in the summer. To continue the celebration of the album’s release, Bilmuri embarked on “The Second Crank” in the first week of September, beginning the second leg of their North American tour. On September 10, Bilmuri stopped at The Fillmore in Philadelphia, the first of two sold-out dates at the venue. With an extensive 25-song setlist and their signature humorous energy, Bilmuri kicked off their two-night stay at The Fillmore with a bang.
Starting off the night was French metalcore band NOVELISTS. As soon as the set began, vocalist Camille Contreras commanded the stage. As she switched from raw screams to harmonious singing with ease, the audience was captivated by her performance. NOVELISTS brings a unique version of metalcore, combining catchy hooks and melodic choruses with headbang-worthy breakdowns. The night turned out to be extra special for the band as well, as it turned out to be drummer Amael Durand’s birthday. Towards the end of the set, a cake was brought out for him as the whole room sang “Happy Birthday”. The band closed with their recent single “Ravage”, an energetic track that can make anyone get up and dance. NOVELISTS successfully ensured that everyone was fully warmed up for the rest of the night.
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The second opener to take the stage was Chicago-based pop-punk band Knuckle Puck. The band is known for their combination of punk rock and emo, as well as their emotional lyrics. Opening with the high-energy “Gone” from their 2017 album Shapeshifter, crowdsurfers already started making their way through the room, and this energy never dwindled for a moment. Throughout the set, fans continued to mosh and crowdsurf, to the point where it seemed nobody in the room was standing still. Towards the end of the set, the band closed with “Untitled” from their breakthrough 2015 album Copacetic, and the voices of the crowd echoed throughout the room as they passionately sang along. By the end of the set, it was clear that the audience had more than enough energy left for the headlining act.
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Soon enough, the lights began to dim for the final time that night as the room brimmed with anticipation. Saxophonist Gabi Rose walked onto the stage and performed a cover of Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori’s “Halo” and bright white and blue lights shined behind her. Towards the end of the song, the rest of the touring band started walking onto the stage as the venue filled with cheers, followed by vocalist and mastermind behind Bilmuri, Johnny Franck. The band transitioned into the metal-inspired “KINDA HARD”, the intro track of the new album, immediately hyping up the crowd. The band then went into the catchy “TWICE”, and crowdsurfers started making their way through the room one after another.
Bilmuri cannot be defined by one genre, mixing several different sounds to create a unique musical soundscape. With pop, post-hardcore, metal, jazz, and even country influences, no two Bilmuri songs sound the same, but they all inspire a crowd to get off their feet and move. The band performed tracks from a wide range of their discography, such as their 2024 album American Motor Sports, their 2020 album Eggy Pocket, their 2022 album Goblin Hours, and more. The energy in the crowd was unwavering, only getting crazier throughout the night. Fans kept crowdsurfing as the pit kept expanding. And despite Bilmuri being a solo project, the touring musicians play a big role in how memorable the shows are, between Gabi Rose and guitarist Reese Maslin taking over on vocals for a few songs and the humorous banter among the group.
Towards the end of the set, the band kept bringing out more surprises, such as inviting NOVELISTS onto the stage for their collaboration “WHERE TO FIND ME”. The fans proved that they still had no shortage of energy as they continued to mosh, crowdsurf, and even form a wall of death. During the last 15 minutes of the show, the band performed the new track “MORE THAN HATE”, and, in true Bilmuri fashion, keyboardist Joe Compton walked up to the front of the stage and chugged a beer. The band then went into the heavy interlude “ST4RF1SH SPR34DR”, and then ended the set with the fan-favorite “BETTER HELL (Thicc boi)”, and the fans kept moving until the very last note. To conclude the set, a burst of red, white, and blue confetti shot into the crowd, ending the show on a high note. Bilmuri’s first night in Philadelphia was a memorable one, and, like any of their shows, was a must-see experience.
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