BOBI are back for 2026 after our winter hibernation over the festive period came to an end. On the last day of January, we returned to the atmospheric environs of Blackfriars Arts Centre Revue Bar for the first outing of the new year. A slimmed down line up of three bands got underway with ACE OF KINGS who came brandishing big riffs and soaring choruses for the early doors crowd and most appreciative they were ‘n all. Playing a blend of classic rock with something of a groove, Ace of Kings are not averse to a hint of modern Alternative sounds creeping in to their sound. Blackstone Cherry crossed with a bit of Alice in Chains was one such review I was offered. High quality, polished powerhouse Rock on a Saturday night in Boston, like the Axe and Cleaver was still up and running and everything!

Second up saw a welcome return to BOBI for the Blues-y, Proto Punk, Pub Rock of AUSTIN T and his band. Last time out they went down a storm, so a few extra folk were here tonight, intrigued by the rave reviews they’d received after the last Austin appearance at Blackfriars, and oh my, those trusting punters were certainly left with a smile on their face. Austin and the band treated us to a blistering set of hard-edged RnB, compete with savage guitar lines and blistering harmonica. What a show! Total Dr Feelgood feel good, rock n roll, not to mention a big Nine Below Zero influence in there too. Fabulous stuff!

So, to the top of the bill. THE COLLECTIVE BAND that come with the promise of nobody really knowing how to describe them in terms of genre or whatever else. “Cross Genre Hip Hop” was the intriguing line we were sold and yeah, I suppose that’s as good as ‘owt. Keyboards, dual vocals, sometimes more, Country-esque moments, rapping, a bit of Festival friendly Indie, it all reminded me of 90s Alternative Pop bands that had a bit of a Punky attitude, a slice of Indie cool, various Dance and Hip-Hop capers going on, but above all, catchy tunes aplenty in their armoury. A bright ray of sunshine in these dark Winter months! Great fun and a tip top way to crown the first BOBI do of the year. BOBI are on the move again to a new venue next time out so, in February get yourself to Black Sluice Café for BOBI 22!

[Photos by BOBI resident photographer Graham Campling.]

[Review by Marv Gadgie (Gadgie Zine)]