It’s been two days since I watched The Dirty Nil’s gig at the Exchange – and my ears are still ringing. Self-described as a rock band (NOT punk, according to the lead singer Luke Bentham) the trio certainly lived up to this reputation. Playing a loud, energetic, and passionate set on a Monday night, The Dirty Nil could have (in my biased opinion) rivalled the Metallica gig played the previous evening in Cardiff.
The band is made up of lead singer Luke Bentham, bassist Anthony Vitanza, and drummer Kyle Fisher. Formed in 2006, Bentham and Fisher have remained consistent members of The Dirty Nil throughout the years, with Vitanza being the most recent addition, joining in 2025. The Canadian trio, based in Hamilton Ontario, have released five studio albums since their formation alongside multiple singles and EP’s. Stylistically, The Dirty Nil reflect fellow rock bands such as All-American Rejects, and Dinosaur jr.
The audience, which consisted of a range of ages, were first met with The Dirty Nil’s support acts Bruise Control and Smug LLC. Arriving onto the stage at 9:30pm, The Dirty Nil kicked off their set with song ‘No Weaknesses’, from their debut album Higher Power (2016). This energetic, heavy rock track set the tone of the night for the audience and for the band. Their energy on stage revealed itself through jumps, kicks, and spins, highlighting their enthusiasm and enjoyment for their craft. ‘No Weaknesses’ blended seamlessly into their second song ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Band’, keeping the momentum of their opening song rolling. This was a consistent theme throughout the evening.
Unlike most frontmen that I’ve experienced, Bentham refrained from speaking much. Instead, their set consisted of a continuous stream of songs, one coming after another, almost like a live Spotify playlist. Although this tactic worked well in terms of momentum, I enjoy when frontmen interact slightly more with the audience, creating a more personal connection. This took away slightly from my experience of the gig, although I do acknowledge the positives that the choice had on pacing. The few words that Bentham did speak included a thank you to the support acts, and the phrase ‘rock and roll is a tribal thing of beauty.’
The audience certainly seemed to agree with this statement, a dedicated group of fans towards the front of the stage never ceased their movements and cheers as the evening progressed. The Exchange as a venue seemed to lend itself well to the heavy rock style that The Dirty Nil embodies. The dark and smoky room created a grungy atmosphere that aligned with themes explored in the songs played. Additionally, the speakers were loud. VERY loud. The volume enhanced the set, immersing the audience in the music and increasing the energy felt throughout the room. However, although this volume seemed necessary and enjoyable when watching the band, my ears unfortunately suffered afterwards, and are still feeling the effects as I write this article!
Towards the middle of the gig songs such as ‘Nicer Guy’, ‘Gallop of the Hounds’, and ‘Blunt Force Concussion’ were played. Personally, I thought ‘Gallop of the Hounds’ and ‘Blunt Force Concussion’ were the best tracks of the night. The energy of the crowd increased upon hearing these songs, and it seemed like the band’s did too. ‘Blunt Force Concussion’’s melody lent itself well to the harmonies created between bassist (and back-up singer) Vitanza and Luke Bentham, whilst the heavy beat in ‘Gallop of the Hounds’ allowed drummer Fisher to show-off his skills. Although the gig was advertised as a tour for the group’s newest album The Lash (2025), they played songs from a range of their albums. In fact, most tracks came from their 2021 album F*ck Art. The choice to provide a range of popular songs allowed for a varied performance, which displayed the evolution of their style from hard rock to more mellow, punk style tunes.
The gig finished with a cover of Metallica’s ‘Hit the Lights’, a tribute to a band who also likely consider rock and roll a “tribal thing of beauty.” This heavy song reflected the bands introductory track, reiterating the band’s worship of the rock and roll genre. Overall, The Dirty Nil provided a high energy, immersive, and (very) loud performance. Their dedication to rock seeped through their music and their attitudes and enlivened their fans, adding to the intensity of their set. The range of songs played, the harmonies between Bentham and Vitanza, and the heavy beat of the drums created a show that was perhaps, for some, a tribal thing of beauty.
Freya Grimley
