It’s almost 8 p.m. on a rainy Thursday evening. Winter is already setting in and all the concertgoers are here with their coats around their waists. Originating from Watsford, we welcome The Hunna. The band are here in Huddersfield headlining with a new EP to promote.
Formed in 2015 and upon debuting their first album in 2016, the band had already entered the UK charts to form a strong legacy behind them. In their bio, the band acknowledge they have a strong fanbase- which is clear to see from the vast amount of people already wearing this tour’s merch.
On this date, the band are joined by one support in the form of Sick Joy. Sick Joy is a band that blends heavy with an “acidic melody”. They are compared to bands like Nirvana for their raw vocals and melodic rhythms. I was interested to see that the band were originally formed in Newcastle, but then they betrayed the North and moved to Brighton.
The two members of the band did great creating a stage presence. Added to by the atmospheric melody they have in each song. It doesn’t make the audience want to mosh, but instead makes them want to sway to the beat. It definitely had an energy that I wasn’t used to but enjoyed. Though the songs were more alternative than heavy, there were moments when the vocalist would rip some gruesome harsh vocals, which surprised and impressed me.
The stable vocals of the vocalist are praiseworthy, as is the energy the drummer brings to the stage – having him right by the front also adds to that stage presence they both have. The vocalist/guitarist would move around in his half of the stage when he wasn’t at the mic, absolutely thrashing on the guitar which made the crowd bob their heads and feel as enthusiastic.
Without exchanging many words with the audience, the attention was all on the band. This is a hallmark to a great live band that can keep the audience’s eyes on them, even though this is probably the first time 90% of the crowd have heard of them. The band are still up and coming, though with an impressive 40k listeners already, and it’s clear they gained more fans tonight.
After what felt like 2 hours, the headliner finally made their way onto the stage to the roar of the audience. With no photo pit, it was hard to even move around from the sheer amount of people in the pit. People finding any place where they could slot to get closer to the stage, and then becoming packed like sardines in a can.
The Hunna came on with such a strong confidence, it was palpable. Having been doing this for years and being thrown into the spotlight so young in the band’s formation, it’s clear they aren’t shy around the topic of live performance and giving a show. Each member had a great vibe around them, moving around within their spaces and getting close to the edge of the stage.
Every song was met with the cheers from below, the vocalist mentioned how the band hadn’t played Huddersfield before – which then began the iconic “YORKSHIRE” chant, that the band proudly joined in on. I could hear the chatter of two audience members as one explained to the other that people weren’t saying “your shit” and proceeding to spell the word ‘Yorkshire’.
Side note; Has anyone seen that clip of Fred Durst looking absolutely perplexed at the chant until someone wrote it out for him? I need to find that. It honestly bemuses me that bands aren’t informed of the chant beforehand and think the crowd are trying to start a fight. At least The Hunna are well aware of the chant at this point.
The Hunna played a range of tracks ranging from old to new. They played the popular “She’s Casual” which I could hardly hear the band performing over the crowd (the crowd clearly having waited too long for the band to come grace the town). People were jumping and singing with their friends and just feeling the music and the lyrics within their own little bubbles.
The crowd interaction was mostly between the songs, encouraging the crowd to “shake [their] sexy asses”, (it would’ve been so funny to me if the vocalist shouted “LET’S OPEN THIS PIT UP” and watched the confused look of the crowd below…but I digress) the girls, guys and any in between more than ready to follow the command. Hearing the type of music that The Hunna play and the spirit that the band bring to the stage, I’m not surprised it makes people want to move and sway.
It’s great being surrounded by people just loving the atmosphere and filled with so much enjoyment to see a long awaited band. It takes me back to being a teen and seeing bands in small venues with my mates before the bands inevitably, and deservingly, blew up (or broke up which is just a side effect of getting older).
The Hunna have many dates coming up in various towns and venues. To see a band with 600k listeners on Spotify whilst they’re playing these smaller venues is something I wouldn’t want to miss. It’d definitely be worth your while if you’re into their kind of music to experience this band on those more intimate stages and shake those asses at the command of the vocalist.
Review & Photography: Jayne Slater