DIRTY HONEY AMERICANA ROCK AT CLUB ACADEMY MANCHESTER UK 25TH JANUARY 2023

January 28, 2023
International Concert Reviews, UK Concert Reviews
by Billy Seagrave Photographer/Writer

REVIEW AND IMAGES BY BILLY SEAGRAVE

Billy Seagrave headed down to Club Academy Manchester for All Music Magazine UK, to witness Dirty Honey with their sultry Rock, of reincarnated Rock spirits, that are heading for big things in 2023.

Every so often the stars align, we are given glimpses of greatness and offered so much promise and anticipation,. So it was with great anticipation I wandered into the basement of Manchester Academy, to witness the next stage of a band who have carved a pathway onto the rock and roll stage. Dirty Honey are our hosts on a whirlwind UK tour, that has completely sold out everywhere

It seems fitting that we are in such an intimate place, close up and personal, to not only see but feel a band who are going to be major performers in the coming years. That I don’t say with any fear or in trepidation. Believe me they are that good.

As the support band take to the stage the venue is already at capacity.

We Kick off with Welsh, Indie rock outfit, Himalayas. These guys have been playing on the circuit since 2015 and have accumulated a reasonable following in that time. Playing at several mainstream festivals such as Reading and Leeds and Isle of Wight and have even shared the stage with the Kaiser Chiefs, so we expect some good things from their set.

With an almost hypnotic sound whilst keeping things heavy when it needs to be, the Himalayas, have a way of keeping you engaged in their music. Seeing them for the first time, you can hear the subtle influences from the Like of ‘Artic Monkeys’, and dare I say, ‘Manic Street Preachers’. The band deliver an eight-song set that doesn’t falter for a moment and ends with ‘Thank God I’m Not You’ and finishes on ‘From Hell To Here’ which surprisingly mashes into a unique take on ‘Gangsters Paradise’. A job well done!

SET LIST

1/ Leave this place.

2/ Alone

3/ Out of the dark into the night

4/ Into the trap

5/ Somebody else

6/ Darkest before dawn

7/ Thank God I am not you.

8/ From Hell to here.

Entering the stage 30 minutes after original set time, there are no egos emerging on stage, just a band that effortlessly has a real swagger, and a dead sure confidence. As the crowd welcomed them on stage, the atmosphere was electric to say the least.

Opening with “Gypsy”, immediately sets the tone and delivers the right pace, then straight into “Break you”, and then a song dedicated to all the ladies who are with us tonight, “Heartbreaker”. Marc LaBelle on vocals leaving the crowd in absolute awe of that vocal range! A cross between Steven Tyler and Robert Plant, the delivery is flawless.

Although they are their own identity, we did have a couple of covers, firstly we had, “Last child”, from Aerosmith and Prince’s, “Lets go crazy”, that had the hairs on the back of my neck standing, if you are going to do covers, this is how it’s done.” ‘California Dreaming” which you must have heard by now it’s clear that we’re in that type of territory that is very much anointed by the great Led Zeppelin, but rather than become tangled up in Zeppelin’s Folkiness, Progressiveness or other meanderings that great band had, Dirty Honey is very much looking at that West Coast Zeppelin vibe – but it’s only one of many ingredients in the mix. Of course, you also get hints of Black Crowes, Cry of Love and a thousand other bands who have been here before. The thing with Dirty Honey though is that they make it their own and backed up with some stunning musicianship and once again was delivered impeccably.

Finishing the set with “When I am gone”, a dirty filthy amalgamation of rock and blues, that has you stepping back in time, but we are here and now, this is one of my guilty secrets one I hope blossoms to the masses.

“Rolling 7’s “brings it all to a close as the encore, note a note has been missed my voice has been shattered, my night is complete. Over the last few years, we have seen artists such as the Struts, the wonderful Gretta Van Fleet, and now I believe Dirt Honey, we all deserve a little sweetness.