LIVE: VANT

A friendly atmosphere of anticipation welcomed the prodigal son home for the first time in two years. Mattie Vant, now sporting pink hair, has claimed VANT as his own following their hiatus, a decision that has paid off. Newer numbers see hip-hop and pop tropes compliment his traditional punk influences and grow stronger and more anthemic in a live setting, the reverbing basslines sending vibrations across the Think Tank floor. But it’s the older punk numbers that get the crowd going. Alternate versions of several songs on the acoustic and piano demonstrate his artistry, but when the tempo was upped, the crowd were sent into a frenzy, and we were reminded how bloody good this lad is. Welcome back Mattie Vant.