SHOW REVIEW: Soul Glo and Zulu - The Roxy Theatre

Soul Glo

Black is the new (and old) hardcore. Born from equal parts Bad Brains and Marvin Gaye, Soul Glo and Zulu burst into The Roxy Theatre this past weekend for a destructive and pioneering hardcore show. With critics and audiences putting the band’s latest releases in the top of Album of the Year Lists, expectations were high from punk and music enjoyers alike.

The two bands started a tour together with fellow hardcore band, Playytime, in early September of this year. Playytime offered an eclectic opening that set the tone for the headlining acts, that of chaos and comradery. Soul Glo and Zulu are growing to be huge names in the punk scene, so the show was sold out for a capacity of at least 200, significant numbers for the miniscule seating and standing room at The Roxy Theatre. Across these 200 people were all sorts of genders, races, and subcultures with the same goal: To celebrate in and maintain the pit. They were successful, creating a show with faces mixing blood with the looks of pure adrenaline.

Near the end of the show, performers from Zulu expressed their legitimate griefs about the bastardization of black punk music. “If you want to make punk popular again, just have white musicians steal it from Bad Brains. If you want to make rock popular, have Elvis steal from Little Richard.” These sentiments also take form in the music of both bands, with lyrics criticizing the acceptance and reverence of African-American culture, but the simultaneous refusal to accept African-Americans themselves. Such sentiments are not new to the punk scene, or society, and must be exclaimed by louder voices, whether that be a more popular Zulu in the future, or anyone else willing to take the mantle of truth-teller.

For some recommended listening, check out: "Diaspora Problems" by Soul Glo, "A New Tomorrow" by Zulu, "The Fun Never Ends" by Playytime, and "Bad Brains" by Bad Brains.

- DJ Diablo AKA Landon White