From the perfected set list, to the loving fan interactions, to the VUKOVI’s gritty energy and intense sounds, this show was pure feral chaos in the best way imaginable.
Words by Jackie Mills | 09 Feb, 2026
Forgive me Mother for I have sinned, I have been sleeping on VUKOVI for way too long. Please excuse me as I spend the foreseeable future obsessing over them entirely after being front and centre at the sold out show in Nottingham last night.
With Rescue Rooms filling up with fans ready to support all the bands on the bill, first to the stage was grunge/electronic Flesh Planet. Launching straight into distorted guitars and heavy drums, the band immediately held the audience captivated in a trance. With screaming vocals mixed with electronic synths, they worked their way through their EP releases including Evelyn and Protoblood. The quartet provide high energy performance and hypnotic melodies that has the audience pulsing along with bands industrial waves. We were treated to a sneak preview of their upcoming single “Big Machine” which had all the synthy goodness the band have displayed they have finetuned to industrial perfection. Flesh Planet are a band to keep your eye on and get excited about.
When the lights go back down, the stage is set to build anticipation for our next support act. With a theatrical sound track and flashing lights to support, we await the arrival of Saint Agnes. The band enter one at a time and as the gritty guitars and bass lines start to build, the members silhouetted on stage, front woman Kitty bursts on to stage with her raw guttural screams. With ragdoll-like movements the entire performance sees Kitty’s stage presence taking control as they play through their back catalogue. The combination of dirty guitar magic paired with Kitty’s vocal range and moody stage setting makes for a memorable cinematic set. Saint Agnes’ new album is anticipated for a May release, one to watch in the goth punk genre.
It’s safe to say the crowd is fully geared up for VUKOVI to take the stage. The room is now packed from front to back, the intro begins with This is my life and my trauma and the hyped audience immediately bursts into a circle pit. They throw us straight into Gungho, every single body jumping, dancing, and singing every word. Frontwoman Janine’s impressive versatile vocal range is captivating from the first note as she connects with the fans in every section of the room.
The setlist is a perfect curation of old and new, capturing all of the fan essentials from all four albums. When SLO kicks in, Janine is handed a bottle of fizz, taking the opportunity to champagne pop that fizz over the crowd which only added to the sweaty madness of the entire night. You can feel the love and dedication between fans and band in the room, with Janine frequently interacting with the audience and cracking jokes. At one point she calls for security, as a fan waves a pair of Crocs around. Janine dismisses this as a private joke, one that any of us at 2000 Trees would be in on as she had to borrow a fan’s pair of crocs to do the entire set (but we’re not supposed to acknowledge this happened, there is certainly no proof).
Bursting into C.L.A.U.D.I.A, the band and fans are right there in the moment together. I am having the time of my life, dancing and jumping to every beat. You just can’t compare to that feeling live music brings you, especially from a band like VUKOVI who have perfected the art of creating such an energetic and chaotic performance.
Half way through the set, things are dialled back as Janine manoeuvres her way to sit on the front barricade, bonding directly with the fans for an emotional performance of Colour Me In. If we hadn’t already seen the best of this band, this song shows off the melodic brilliance of Janine’s vocals and Hamish’s guitar riffs beautifully.
After that quick breather, fans and band were straight back into full energy for Lasso with more interactions as Janine takes a fans recording phone to sing directly into and give the stage perspective. A unique interaction and gift that goes to show how much the band cares for their fans.
It was soon time for my personal favourite song My God Has Got A Gun and judging by the reaction from the room, I wasn’t the only one looking forward to experiencing this live. The moment that melody kicks in, everyone releases into circle pits and arms in the air, chanting every word together. VUKOVI are soon joined on stage by Jake from Unpeople, mic in hand screaming MY GOD HAS GOT A GUN AND HE WORKS ME TOOOOO THE BONNEEEE. The crowd goes wild and before we know it, Jake is launched into crowd surfing for the remainder of the song.
The band finished off the set list with, as Janine describes, the bangers. When it comes to the final song, she is back directly with the audience. Gearing up to crowd surf, speaking with the fans and checking everyone is going to catch her, it is equally endearing and humorous seeing these interactions. As the opening line to La Di Da kicks in, we’re singing every word as Janine flies onto the crowd and continues performing whilst crowd surfing. Eventually making her way back to the safety of the stage, the band closed the set with the same energy they kick started with.
From the perfected set list, to the loving fan interactions, to the band’s gritty energy and intense sounds, this show was pure feral chaos in the best way imaginable. If you haven’t yet seen VUKOVI live, you are in for a treat and you will leave in awe and wanting more. If I could have gone to more tour dates, I would have made it happen immediately. They are definitely on my must see list for Slam Dunk Festival once the season kicks off.
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