After a highly acclaimed U.K. tour last year supporting Rival sons, Dirty Honey makes their return across the pond with a
headline tour that starts at the
Adrian Flux Waterfront In Norwich. The classic rock revival band has certainly made a
name for themselves in a big way since bursting onto the scene in 2017, supporting some big names along the way such as
Rival sons, Alter Bridge, The Who and Guns N’ Roses! Shortly before the show starts, the band announces via their official
Twitter that the whole of the U.K. segment of the ‘California Dreamin’ tour has officially sold out!
We start the night off with Welsh, Indie rock outfit,
Himalayas. These guys have been 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 wright and have even shared the stage with the Kaiser Chiefs, so we expect the group to be no slouches! Around 7:15 they
take to the stage and dive right into ‘leave this place’.
With an almost hypnotic sound whilst still keeping things heavy when it needs to be, the Himalayas, have a way of keeping you
engrossed in their music. The more I listened, the more I couldn’t help but hear subtle influences from bands such as the
‘Artic Monkeys’ or even fellow Welsh rockers, the ‘Manic Street Preachers’. The line-up consists of Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist,
Joe Williams, lead guitarist Mike Griffiths, bassist Louis Heaps and holding things together on drums is James Goulbourn. One thing to mention
that is admirable is the group has managed to keep with the same members since the beginning, and although their sound may be quite
recognisable regarding their influences, they have certainly mastered what they do! 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
very unique take on ‘gangsters paradise’. Nicely done!
After a brief intermission and a bit of time for the fans to refill their cups, It’s time for Dirty Honey to kick this tour off.
It’s like being back on the sunset strip in the 80s or Woodstock in the 70s! Dressed for the part, and dripping with charisma, the band
hit the stage and start off with ‘Gypsy’. The energy is off the scale and the sold-out crowd are going absolutely nuts. From down in the
photo pit, the band seem to be everywhere at once. One would to describe it would be electric.
After the initial opener, we go full force into ‘break you’ off their 2019 self-titled album. Bassist Justin Smolian is well and truly
locked in with drummer, Corey Coverstone to deliver one hell of a groove that you feel all the way to your bones. Over the top of that
is Marc LaBelle on vocals leaving the crowd in absolute awe of that vocal range! Think Robert Plant with a bit of a modern twist and you’re in
the ball park. Chef’s kiss!
Like a well-oiled machine, Dirty Honkey don’t hit a dud note the whole night as they surge through a best of the best from their repertoire.
Playing such bangers as ‘tied up’, ‘California dreamin’ an ‘ride on’ to name but a few. The band has the crowd at their fingertips and
don’t let them go until they are good and ready. Near the end of the set, guitarist, John Notto, who I must say has been absolutely on point
like everyone else, changes the vibe a little as he begins the intro to the song ‘another last time’. There’s a reason John is regarded so
highly among his peers in the guitarist community and it’s on full display in Norwich tonight! Something else I’d like to touch on at the time is
that John and Justin is playing through real amps on this tour. In a world that’s seems to be going digital, even in the guitar community, it’s nice see
a full backline pops up from time to time and boy does that Marshall scream!
After an incredible evening of raw talent, Dirty Honey play us out with their hit number (well one of their many as they have a few!),
‘rolling 7s’ to close the first date of their first U.K headline tour. There are few bands you’ll see in your lifetime starting out that you’ll leave a show
thinking, wow, these guys are something truly special, but I honestly feel that sentiment can be used tonight!
Review & Photography: Lawrence Potter
DIRTY HONEY
Announce Full European Headline Tour
January to March 2023
New Single Release: Heartbreaker 2.0
2nd January 2023
Double Album “Dirty Honey EP/LP” Out Now
The tour comprises of 30 shows through 13 countries. Full list of dates below
Sat 21st January 2023 Waterfront, Norwich UK upgraded venue
Sun 22nd January 2023 Crauford Arms, Milton Keynes UK
Tues 24th January 2023 Garage, London UK
Wed 25th January 2023 Club Academy, Manchester UK upgraded venue
Thurs 26th January 2023 SWG3 Warehouse, Glasgow UK
Sat 28th January 2023 Bodega, Nottingham UK
Sun 29th January 2023 Corporation, Sheffield UK
Mon 30th January 2023 Globe, Cardiff UK
Tues 31st January 2023 Engine Rooms, Southampton UK
Thurs 2nd February 2023 Trix, Antwerp BELGIUM
Fri 3rd February 2023 Helios 37, Cologne GERMANY
Sat 4th February 2023 Doornroosje, Nijmegen NETHERLANDS
Mon 6th February 2023 Effenaar, Eindhoven NETHERLANDS
Tues 7th February 2023 La Maroquinerie, Paris FRANCE
Thurs 9th February 2023 Upload, Barcelona SPAIN
Fri 10th February 2023 Mon, Madrid SPAIN upgraded venue
Sun 12th February 2023 Dynamo, Zurich SWITZERLAND
Mon 13th February 2023 Mühle Hunziken, Rubigen SWITZERLAND
Tues 14th February 2023 Legend, Milan ITALY
Wed 15th February 2023 Monk Club, Rome ITALY
Fri 17th February 2023 Conrad Sohm, Dombim AUSTRIA
Sat 18th February 2023 Musikkantine, Augsburg GERMANY
Sun 19th February 2023 Szene Wien, Vienna AUSTRIA
Wed 22nd February 2023 Badehaus, Berlin GERMANY
Thurs 23rd February 2023 Headcrash, Hamburg GERMANY
Sat 25th February 2023 Hotel Cecil, Copenhagen DENMARK
Sun 26th February 2023 Pustervik, Gothenburg SWEDEN
Mon 27th February 2023 John Dee, Oslo NORWAY
Tues 28th February 2023 Debaser, Stockholm SWEDEN
Thurs 2nd March 2023 Tavastia, Helsinki FINLAND
For ticket info please go to https://www.dirtyhoney.com/
Dirty Honey is Marc LaBelle/vocals, John Notto/guitars, Justin Smolian/bass, Corey Coverstone/drums.
“Heartbreaker 2.0” is released through Dirt Records on the 2nd January 2022
“Dirty Honey EP / LP” is out now through Dirt Records.
https://www.dirtyhoney.com/
https://www.facebook.com/DirtyHoneyMusic/
https://www.instagram.com/dirtyhoneyband/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/dirtyhoneyband?lang=en
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