alt blk era triumphs on stage at Gröna Lund

There are concerts where the audience lifts the band. And then there are concerts where the band refuses to let a sparse audience stand in the way of a memorable show. For alt blk era, it was the latter.

Despite a regrettably thin turnout at Gröna Lund's Lilla Scen, the British duo delivered a performance filled with energy, attitude, and uncompromising stage presence. It was yet another of this summer's shows where the number of visitors did not at all reflect the quality of what was happening on stage.

alt blk era, consisting of sisters Nyrobi and Chaya Beckett-Messam, have quickly established themselves as one of the UK's most exciting alternative bands. With an explosive mix of alternative rock, nu metal, punk, grime, and electronic influences, they have created a unique sound that feels both modern and fearless. Their reputation as a strong live act was evident right from the first minute.

Already during the opening song Our World it was clear that the size of the crowd would not affect the evening’s effort. On the contrary, the duo threw themselves into the performance with an intensity that would have suited a much larger audience. Nyrobi dominated the stage with her charismatic presence while Chaya drove the songs forward behind the drums with force and precision.

The set offered a well-balanced mix of aggressive bursts and more melodic moments. My Drummer’s GF, Silhouettes in the Mirror, and Come Fight Me For It set the bar early on with their raw energy, while Lost in the Back of My Mind and Straight to Heart showed that the band can also master a more dynamic expression. Rollercoaster and Hunt You Down cranked up the tempo even more and showed why alt blk era has quickly become a band to keep an eye on.

Despite the sparse crowd, alt blk era systematically built up the atmosphere. A handful of fans at the front kept the energy up with recurring headbanging during the heaviest parts, and as the concert progressed, more and more hands rose into the air. At the same time, more visitors slowly but surely gathered in front of the stage.

When it was time for Upstairs Neighbours, it felt like the band had finally gotten the audience just where they wanted. "If you've seen us live before, you know what's going to happen now," said Nyrobi before asking the entire audience to crouch down. Everyone followed the instruction. After a long buildup, the signal came, and the entire audience leapt up in a collective jump. It became the big climax of the evening and a moment that showed exactly why alt blk era is a band to be experienced live. In just a few songs, they transformed a tentative and sparse audience into a crowd that jumped to the music and gave the band the response they deserved.

The energy continued during I’m Normally Like This. Nyrobi stepped to the edge of the stage and led the audience through a classic call-and-response. She sang "I don’t give a damn if you like it!" and the audience replied in unison with "I’m normally like this!". The previously hesitant audience no longer hesitated. Hands were in the air, voices grew ever stronger, and it was yet another sign of how alt blk era, song by song, won over the audience and created the atmosphere they deserved.

A little later during the set, Nyrobi encouraged the audience to come closer to the stage. No long persuasion was needed – those who had previously stood scattered stepped forward and filled the area in front of the stage. The distance between band and audience almost disappeared, and it felt like a natural continuation of the concert's journey from a tentative start to a show where the audience sang, jumped, and immersed themselves in every song.

The soundscape consistently maintained a high standard and allowed the band’s many influences to shine through. The heavy guitars, electronic details, and rap-influenced parts were woven into a sonic landscape that felt both modern and organic. At the same time, there was a rawness in the performance that meant the concert never felt staged.

The only thing truly missing during the evening was more people in front of the stage from the start. At the same time, alt blk era showed that a truly good live band is not affected by the size of the crowd. They played with the same intensity as if the area had been packed, and when the concert was over, it was hard not to feel that they had actually transformed a hesitant audience into an engaged crowd that sang, jumped, and returned the energy the band gave throughout the evening.

This may not have been Gröna Lund’s most well-attended show – but without doubt one of the most energetic.