bby’s Album Release Party At State51

Date: 18th July 2024

Location: State51, London

Celebrating the release of their debut album 1, bby invited fans to a very limited capacity venue in East London. The band’s HQ, State51, hosted a bring-your-own-drinks party, creating an intimate atmosphere where fans could meet new people and enjoy great music. Early arrivals were even treated to a free barbecue! The BYOB policy, paired with a live DJ, encouraged guests to enjoy the summer heat in the venue's outdoor space. For a Thursday night, the turnout was incredible!

State51, being a small venue, allowed the musicians to perform on the same floor as the audience, creating a Boiler Room-style gig. This setup fostered an incredibly personal performance, enabling direct interaction between the musicians and the audience. Small platforms were available for attendees to ensure everyone had a clear view of the performers.

Marti Perramon and his band members opened for bby, bringing high energy as guests gathered near the makeshift stage. Despite rising temperatures, Marti remained unfazed, performing with vigour and charisma, making him the perfect opening act for bby.

Mid-set, Marti encountered technical issues due to a power outage. He humorously remarked, “We had a power cut on the bass, sorry guys, I was moving too sexy.” Marti managed the situation well, keeping the audience engaged with witty comments while his drummer showcased impressive skills. The power issue was quickly resolved, and the musicians continued, maintaining high energy and delivering outstanding music.

After Marti's set, the live DJ resumed, allowing guests to catch some fresh air before bby took the stage. The venue was packed, with the audience almost spilling onto the musicians. The band entered through the crowd and started playing immediately.

bby performed songs from their debut album 1 including “We'll Neva Die”, “Breathe” and “Fucked Up”. Whilst the gig was mostly high-energy, there were moments to catch a breath with songs like “Leftside”. The band mentioned that this was their first gig with a setlist, but they preferred to jam freely.

The band members, comprised of vocalist Benjy Gibson, drummer Tom Parkin, bassist Deon Graham, and guitarists Jessy Jacquet-Cretides and Tomasso Medica, all respectively showcased their immense talent. Towards the end of the set, Jessy and Tomasso swapped guitars, adding to the dynamic performance. Tom Parkin's drumming was particularly impressive, as he played intensely despite the heat, with the audience even fanning him to keep him cool. The crowd enthusiastically chanted riffs, danced, and jumped to bby's unreleased tracks, demonstrating their love for the music.

The band played “Kinky”, released as a single just two days before the event. Despite it only being out for a short time, their devoted fans knew all the lyrics, marking it the audience favourite and a perfect finale to the set. For the encore, they performed an unreleased track, leaving fans (myself included) wanting more.

Despite the scorching heat and sweaty atmosphere, the gig was a hit. In commemoration of the concert, the beloved band will be releasing a limited edition 7" vinyl single featuring two tracks recorded at the gig.

You can buy and stream bby's debut album 1 on all music platforms now!

Marti Perramon