Indie-rock band, Black Honey, returned to Leeds once again as part of their album release tour and it genuinely felt like a Paramore gig circa 2005.
On 21 August, Brudenell Social Club, one of Leeds’ favourite small music venues, filled with rockers coming to see British four-piece band, Black Honey, debut their newly released album ‘Soak’. Brudenell is an intimate, cosy venue, known for hosting upcoming artists and on the night, it was buzzing with excited fans ready to mosh, and mosh they did.
As the stage lights turned red and a grainy vocal was heard, a blue suit and a blonde, shaggy mullet appeared on stage, also known as the band’s lead singer and guitarist, Izzy Bee Phillips. From the first song, it was apparent the crowd were massive fans… the band played their hit song ‘I Like the Way You Die’ and it was screamed right back at them by their doting audience, who were loving every second.
Phillips and the band, made up of guitarist Chris Ostler, bassist Tommy Taylor and drummer Alex Woodward, performed songs from ‘Soak’, which was released just a week earlier. Despite this, the crowd seemed to know every word to songs such as ‘Shallow’, ‘Vampire In The Kitchen’, ‘Carroll Avenue’ and ‘Slow Dance’, a mixture of upbeat, anthems and slower, sultry rock ballads.
The energy in the room was high… the crowed moshed, clapped, jumped and head banged throughout the night as the band serenaded them with their electric guitars and undeniably catchy drum beats. Phillips’ remarkable voice was very Hayley Williams-esque and a clear 2000s indie-rock influence could be heard in Black Honey’s sound.
Mid-way through the gig, an old fashioned telephone was brought onstage, Phillips’ picked the phone up from the receiver and as she sang into it, her voice turned static, a fun, retro addition to the performance. The white, fluffy strap attached to her electric guitar was the perfect accessory to the blue ensemble she sported and the band absolutely looked the part.
Although there was little engagement with the crowd, no one seemed to mind as they were just enjoying the music, dancing and singing with no care in the world. As the night came to a close, Phillips’ announced a tour in February and thanked the audience for the energy they brought to the show before performing their final two upbeat songs, ending the night on a high.
Black Honey’s performance was electric. They have a perfectly established sound accompanied by their lead singer’s stellar vocals.
Frontwoman Izzy B. Phillips said of their fourth album “Soak explores messy, romantic, confusing, woozy, beautiful and f***ed up things. It’s about the brain rot, being a hypocrite and still participating in a social discourse despite feeling shy and uncomfortable.“
Black Honey’s past two records hit the UK Top 10. They’re building a loyal fanbase with theatrical shows and an unflinching creative vision. Soak seems like their most ambitious release yet.
The band headlined DORK’s 100 Festival in July, and Leeds was a date on their UK tour in support of the album.
Photography by Jazz Jennings.
