Review By Darren McIntyre Photos by Scott Anderson
Swedish hard rockers Bonafide rolled into Glasgow’s Audio venue on a mission to celebrate twenty years of sweat-soaked riffs, whiskey-fuelled grooves and pure rock ‘n’ roll attitude, and from the opening note it was clear that this was going to be one of those nights where the crowd leave grinning from ear to ear with ringing ears and sore necks.
Hailing from Malmö, the four-piece have steadily carved out a reputation as one of Europe’s finest hard/classic rock acts since forming back in 2006. With appearances at major festivals like Sweden Rock Festival and HRH, alongside a back catalogue packed full of gritty rock anthems, Bonafide have built a loyal following the old-school way — relentless touring and killer live performances.
Tonight, Audio is filling up nicely as the lights dim and the band storm the stage like four men possessed. Opening with the explosive “Rebel Machine,” the venue instantly erupts into a frenzy of raised fists, beer cups and roaring approval. The groove is thick, the riffs hit like a sledgehammer and frontman Pontus Snibb commands the room effortlessly with that gritty rock vocal that suits the band’s sound perfectly.
Without giving the crowd a second to breathe, they launch into “Too Fired Up,” and honestly, the title says it all. The energy inside Audio is already through the roof as Bonafide hammer through their trademark blend of classic rock swagger and hard-driving blues-infused riffs.
New track “Payday” is next up and immediately catches attention. Released as part of a new double A-sided 7-inch single currently on sale during the tour, the song slides effortlessly into the set alongside the older material. In a genuinely classy gesture, the band gifted me a copy before the show, something that perfectly sums up how grounded and appreciative these guys are despite their growing reputation across the rock scene.
“Peg Leg Pete” cranks the temperature even higher as Anders Rosell tears through razor-sharp guitar work while bassist Martin Ekelund and drummer Niklas Matsson lock into a pounding rhythm section that rattles the venue walls. “Hero To Zero” follows and turns Audio into one giant singalong as the crowd lap up every second.
One of the standout moments of the night comes with “Snacket,” the only song Bonafide perform in Swedish. Pontus introduces it with a grin and the crowd respond with a huge roar before the band dive headfirst into the swaggering rocker. It is a brilliant moment that highlights the band’s connection with the audience and their willingness to stay true to their roots.
Another new cut, “Rumble,” hints that fresh material may be quietly brewing behind the scenes, but tonight is ultimately about celebrating two decades of Bonafide doing what they do best — delivering no-nonsense hard rock with passion and conviction.
The middle section of the set is an absolute masterclass in high-energy rock ‘n’ roll. “Bottle Of Jack,” “Time To Rock,” “Night Time” and “No Doubt About It” hit one after another with relentless force, each tune sounding tighter and heavier than the last. The crowd are fully invested now, singing loudly, fist-pumping and feeding off the electric atmosphere pouring from the stage.
Pontus takes a moment to thank everyone for their continued support over the years, jokingly referring to the band as “Swedish Rock Gods,” which draws a thunderous reaction from the Glasgow faithful. What really stands out tonight is how effortlessly Bonafide work a crowd. They know exactly when to push harder, when to let the groove breathe and how to keep the audience hanging onto every riff.
“Hard Living Man” is a late-set highlight packed with dirty grooves and bluesy swagger before the band tear into “Are You Listening,” the title track from their latest album, which closes the main set in emphatic style.
After a brief disappearance into what Pontus jokingly described as “the smallest dressing room in the world,” Bonafide return for a blistering encore of “Dirt Bound” and the undeniable anthem “Fill Your Head With Rock.” By this point the entire venue is bouncing, singing and throwing horns skyward as the band deliver the perfect ending to a phenomenal night of live music.
This was exactly what a Friday night rock show should be — loud, sweaty, energetic and packed full of killer musicianship. Bonafide proved once again why they have earned such a respected reputation across the European rock scene. Good company, good musicians and a head filled with rock — honestly, what more could you ask for?
Bonafide
- Pontus Snibb – Vocals/Guitar
- Anders Rosell – Guitar
- Martin Ekelund – Bass
- Niklas Matsson – Drums
Setlist
- Rebel Machine
- Too Fired Up
- Payday
- Peg Leg Pete
- Hero To Zero
- Snacket
- Rumble
- Bottle Of Jack
- Time To Rock
- Night Time
- No Doubt About It
- Hard Living Man
- Are You Listening
- Dirt Bound
- Fill Your Head With Rock
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