Live Review
Black Honey, Omeara, London
12th June 2018
They’re armed, and they mean business.
The words “Black Honey” light up the back of the stage, but the spotlight is (literally) on front-woman Izzy B Phillips. With a blonde back-combed ‘do reminiscent of a 60’s movie star, she ignites the audience with glowering stares and provocative smirks. By the time the band break into third song ‘Madonna’, with it’s ‘Creep’-style chugs of guitar distortion, people are already clambering on each others’ shoulders reaching towards the singer.
‘Somebody Better’ sparks a mass sing-a-long, as galloping drums shake Omeara’s cavernous walls. Its searing guitar climax then leads into the whirring grunge of ‘Bloodlust’, before the explosive Dick Dale-style surf of ‘Spinning Wheel’ caps off a fiery trio of fan favourites. It’s the new songs performed tonight, though, that create some of the show’s most interesting dynamics. From atmospheric acoustic numbers to synth-inspired pop gems, it seems a number of previously-unseen sides to Black Honey are now ready to flourish. None of these new tracks are better than ‘Midnight’, a bouncing electro-pop piece built on the kind of pulsing synths better associated with bands like Gossip.
As the set draws to a close, rumours fly of a special guest making an appearance - but any such plans are thrown straight out of the window during the cathartic set-closer ‘Corrine’. Inevitably, it seems, the stage is set-upon by an audience that have struggled to restrain themselves throughout the show. Instruments cut out one-by-one and Izzy appears to disappear entirely amidst the chaos - but the band pull back and plug in for an anthemic final chorus. It’s a climax that’s befitting of the band. There can be no doubts about it - Black Honey are armed, and they mean business.
Black Honey play Bestival (2nd - 5th August) and Electric Fields (30th August - 1st September) where DIY is an official media partner. Tickets are on sale now. Visit diymag.com/presents for more information.
Records, etc at
Black Honey - Written and Directed (Cd)
Black Honey - Written and Directed (Vinyl LP - black)
Black Honey - A Fistful of Peaches (Vinyl LP - red)
Black Honey - A Fistful of Peaches (Vinyl LP)
Black Honey - A Fistful of Peaches (Vinyl LP - orange)
Black Honey - Dig (Vinyl 7)
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