Thekla, 29th March
Black Honey are future @glastofest headliners… there, we said it. You can hold us to it.
Unfashionably, fashionable. Retro yet edgy. Sassy yet vulnerable. Black Honey are a band of contrasts. Sickeningly cool without even trying.
The sold out Thekla (picked to ease the cost of tickets for fans desperate to see them, but who’d have struggled with larger venue ticket prices, tells you so much about the bands ethos) bristled with excitement in anticipation of the foursomes arrival.
When they do arrive it’s in explosive fashion. A wall of distorted, fuzzy guitars blows the front rows backwards as Izzy Bee Phillips swaggers into action. Melting faces with “Charlie Fxjcking Bronson” the razor-sharp opener from new album “A Fistful Of Peaches”. The crowd scramble to show their appreciation, throwing arms toward Izzy. As band mates Chris Ostler – vocals, guitar, Tommy Taylor – vocals, bass guitar & Alex Woodward – drums hit their stride.
One of the best, most unique vocalists the UK has produced in the last 10 years. Izzy’s breathless, almost nonchalant vocal, compounded by an often dead pan expression & eyes that would burn through your soul if you crossed her gives absolute rockstar quality.
The 20 song set drawn from all 3 studio albums is a goldmine for fans of the band. Ridiculously on point performances of the new with the likes of “Tombstone” combined with the old in the form of mosh pit inducing “Spinning Wheel”
The band have always had a innate ability to seamlessly integrate indie rock bangers with strong social messaging. Tracks on the new album such as “Up Against It” & “I’m A Man” giving a voice to both fans and band alike.
The common thread through all 3 albums. The unmistakably BH sound of warm, retro, fuzzy distortion & driving drums that give a hard rock edge to Izzy’s indie pop vocal evidenced again through both “Rock Bottom” & “Disinfect”
The end of the set is the perfect Black Honey party. As we get discoed with “Midnight”, crowd surfed with “Run For Cover” & carried on shoulders with “Corrine”
A privilege to see a stadium level band in such humble surroundings.
@bristolnomad_gigphotography
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
