Bilmuri Cranks Major Hog at Fillmore Detroit 

Sunday, May 3 was a wild night in Detroit for many reasons, and Bilmuri, The Home Team, and GANG! was one of them (collectively) with their sold-out show at The Fillmore Detroit.

 

GANG! 

Photographed by Ami Nicole ACRONYM on iPhone 16 Pro Max

 

 

Visually reminiscent of ski mask artists Kneecap, GANG! showed up in lime green ski masks, and throughout their set, they had their sights set on chaos. The crowd seemed to try and conserve their energy as the band kicked through their setlist (no joke, a kickflip happened at one point) with live-wire-styled energy. To get the crowd engaged, they even asked everyone to boo them.

 

There was a TV behind them playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater, and they said that Tony Hawk “sent them a cease and desist,” and that they don’t “cease or desist.” This was followed by letting the crowd know that Tony Hawk has a house in Detroit, and after the show on their Instagram, they’d release his address for the after-party. We’re pretty sure they’re kidding… we hope? 

 

 

THE HOME TEAM

Photographed by Ami Nicole ACRONYM on iPhone 16 Pro Max

 

 

The Seattle, Washington band hit the stage with rock energy and soulful delivery. Their set delivered a 12-pack of songs, including “Hell,” “Right Through Me,” and “Turn You Off.”  During the set, I spotted a family with two kids on the barricade, who were jamming out with the other concertgoers around them. 

 

Not having much knowledge of their music prior, I got to experience them live for the first time, and I definitely want to keep track of them moving forward. Their standout track to me was “Worthy.” 

 

 

 

BILMURI

Photographed by Ami Nicole ACRONYM on iPhone 16 Pro Max

 

 

Every time I’ve heard someone talking about Bilmuri, it’s been the most random of the stories or experiences. I had to consult a friend, Chelsea Whittaker (who photographed this show — see the images here once this becomes a link). They showed me a few videos, and I felt like I needed to experience this live. So here I am, and I’m once again asking…. “What in the hell is Bilmuri?” 

 

First of all, energy personified. Johnny Franck, otherwise known as Bilmuri, is a fierce presence on stage. Whether he has a guitar strapped to him or is captivating the audience at every section of the stage, it’s clear why people enjoy the live energy of a Bilmuri show. Then there’s Gabi Rose, throwing down on both vox and sax, a deadly combo that has made her part of the selling point of these performances. 

 

So let’s take inventory here: There’s a saxophone. There’s some pop punk going on. There’s a metal essence in the drums. Some of the delivery feels country. It’s an enigma of genre-blending that works so well and feels unique enough to be an industry-changer. Truly, I don’t apply those words lightly.

 

In the wake of artists on the Super Bowl-level scale, we’re seeing artists hop to different genres on trend: Post Malone, MGK… (I am not meaning Beyoncé, don’t you dare attack me, hive). But we’re seeing it so much more these days, to the point of it feeling like a gimmick. The difference with Bilmuri is that it’s part of the project’s DNA. And that project WORKS. 

 

Blazing through 25 songs, they hit the favorites of the fans. Crowd surfers came from far back in the room all the way to the front, and at certain points, a pit would open up — making great use of the metal-styled drums in specific songs. Highlight tracks included “BETTER HELL,” “More Than Hate,” and their current hit, which Johnny noted to the crowd just got pushed to Rock Radio, “Always Let You Down,” a collaboration with Jeremy McKinnon from A Day To Remember. The duty of Jeremy’s vocals was bestowed to Brian Butcher from The Home Team, who rejoined the stage wearing a tricked-out cowboy hat, and did not disappoint.

 

The night ended with confetti and an invigorated crowd that gave the feeling of swimming upstream as we exited the venue, and a sense that you just witnessed something so special, you won’t ever feel exactly the same again.

 

See Bilmuri on the road by checking out the upcoming tour dates with multiple support bands, or if you’re a Michigan local / nearby, you can see the show yourself at Upheaval Festival in Grand Rapids on Saturday, July 18.