Bilmuri cranked hog all night long at a sold-out Roxian

Bilmuri cranked hog all night long at a sold-out Roxian

Bilmuri isn’t just a band – it’s a full-blown movement of irony-laced sincerity, shreddy riffs, and pure, unfiltered energy. The brainchild of ex-Attack Attack! member Johnny Franck, Bilmuri has carved out a cult-like fanbase with a unique blend of post-hardcore, pop, country, and straight-up ridiculousness. Riding the massive success of the American Motor Tour supporting their 2024 album AMERICAN MOTOR SPORTS, which sold out entirely, the Second Lap is giving fans another shot at the chaos. But even this second round entirety sold out before it even started! Pittsburgh was the first city to sell out, and honestly, that checks out; every Bilmuri show in the Burgh has leveled up, growing bigger, louder, and wilder each time. Hogs were surely going to be cranked on this cold winter night at the absolutely packed Roxian.

Kicking off the night was Ally Nicholas, whose set proved she’s not here to mess around. Armed with a full band and a voice that feels like a warm hug, she wasted no time diving into a dark, moody soundscape filled to the brim with emotion and passion. Tracks ranged from ethereal and brooding to full-throttle alt-rock, keeping the crowd locked in from start to finish. Even in the heavier moments, she commanded the stage with an effortless cool. By the time Ally wrapped up, the energy in the room had already hit another level – exactly the kind of setup needed for the hog cranking that was about to unfold.

When Bilmuri finally took the stage, it was like someone flipped a switch and set the entire venue into overdrive. Kicking off with “EMPTYHANDED,” Johnny Franck wasted no time whipping the crowd into a sweaty, chaotic frenzy, his signature mix of absurdity and absolute musical precision on full display. The room instantly became a chaotic blur of movement, voices screaming along as if Pittsburgh had collectively been waiting for this moment for months.

Riffs: Soaring

Crowd: Unhinged

Vibes: Through the damn roof

Hogs: Cranked

Midway through the set, the energy was still at full throttle, with Johnny occasionally pausing to let the crowd know just how insane Pittsburgh’s love for Bilmuri was. “CORN-FED YETIS” had bodies flying and voices peaking, proving that even the most ridiculous track names could bring out some of the night’s hardest-hitting moments. The cuck chair made its expected appearance, stretching out solos for a few tracks to absurd lengths and giving the spotlight to Reese Maslen on guitar, Xavier Ware on drums, and Gabi Rose on saxophone, much to the delight of fans that knew exactly what they had signed up for.

As the show hit its final stretch, the entire room felt like it was running purely on adrenaline. “STRAIGHT THROUGH YOU” slammed in like a gut punch, the entire venue shaking under the weight of the song’s massive riffs and soaring melodies. Then, as if to leave Pittsburgh with one last sonic uppercut, Bilmuri launched into “BETTER HELL (Thicc boi),” sending the crowd into one final, glorious meltdown. Every last drop of energy was spent, every voice left raw, and every limb sore from one of the most relentless sets the city had seen in a long time.

When the final notes rang out, there was no doubt that Pittsburgh had once again cemented itself as a top-tier Bilmuri city. As fans stumbled out, drenched in sweat and grinning like they’d just witnessed something legendary, it was obvious that this wasn’t just another sold-out show. It was a testament to what happens when music, chaos, and an absurd amount of good vibes collide in the best way possible.