LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: BLANK ATLAS AT THE VICTORIA, LONDON 05/11/25 (+ THE LAST VINCI, OUTCRIES)
“This is our first ever headline show in London and there are actually people here!”
After 15 years of making music, Blank Atlas ticked one off the bucket list at The Victoria in Dalston joined by their co-headliner, The Last Vinci.
Outcries provided support with an ethereal, melodic series of songs, brand new and unreleased material front and centre. The trio debuted several tracks due to be included on an upcoming new album.
“We haven't played a gig in about a year and a half.” was the disclaimer, not that anyone would have guessed. ‘Get On With It’ demonstrated the trajectory for the math-rockers while ‘Together’ brought about a shout of ‘Hey!’ In unison from around the room.
Closing with ‘Daydream’, Outcries completed a perfect warm up for the co-headliners.
“You prefer us to Turnstile so that's pretty cool," The Last Vinci teased as they switched up the energy in a whirlwind of frantic, stomping stoner rock. Certainly, the clash of the rock heavyweights, performing at Ally Pally the same night provided stiff competition for punters.
“You plan a tour for months and then you get a cold a day before”. Alex Vinci mused. Sickness aside, The Last Vinci gave their everything, zooming through a competent and confident set.
‘E.C.C’, and ‘The Horror Show’, provided a relentless level for the night, the band's guitarist throwing himself especially violently around the stage.
The Last Vinci seem quite often to be in a world of their own. This sort of disengagement can go two ways, the first creating a barrier between the audience and band. In this case though, it served to bring the whole room into the fold with full focus on the rumbling train of stoner rock.
Among their many musical skills, one Blank Atlas have nailed down is the art of a strong opener. The beautiful ‘Dawn’ from 2023 album ‘Dawn Chorus’ built to a crescendo as the band launched into ‘Flawless’.
The Bristol alt-rockers bring a kind of energetic positivity in their wake. Many of their tracks are themed around love, optimism and hope. The latter, the title of a 2024 single, introduced with the topical context of Zohran Mamdani winning the New York mayoral elections the very same day.
‘Beautiful Morning’ is a set highlight and continues the vibe of an optimistic and impactful genre bending sound. Indeed, Blank Atlas describe their influences as anything from McFly to Meshuggah. This claim may sound unlikely but their sound has to be heard to be believed, there are definite pop influences and genuinely heavy moments, seamlessly tangled together creating a unique and vigorous sound.
‘If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them’, a sub two minute jaunt demonstrated the heavier and slightly punkier side of the band and ‘Better Off Dead’ calls time on the party, a song that starts chuggy and climbs up to a filthy intensity.
A Blank Atlas show is a highlight reel of a carefully curated sound devloped over the years. With new tracks still flowing from the trio, most recently the soaring ‘Leave My Life Behind’, the vibe The Victoria is left with is of an relentlessly energetic and hardworking band with the singular goal of showing anyone who will listen just what they are capable of.
Words and photos by Imogen Bird