Support from
ARXX & PHOEBE GREEN
Review and Photographs by Joanne Marsland.
ARXX were first up tonight in Manchester. They are a Brighton based female rock duo with a kooky sense of humour, Clara certainly hammers those drums hardcore but when the song is over she then chats modestly and well spoken to the crowd. Hanni on vocals and guitar had a stellar performance tonight too, great band to kick off with.
Next up was local girl PHOEBE GREEN, originally from Lytham but now Manchester based. She sounded fantastic as did the band, rock music with dreamy electro pop vocals. She has great stage presence for someone in her early 20s and her songs weren’t half bad either.
BLACK HONEY, also from Brighton, began their set with I LIKE THE WAY YOU DIE, which is the song that introduced me to them last year.
With a pulsating drum beat, awesome guitar riffs, and killer vocals it instantly grabs you, perfect song to start what was to be a sensational performance. This edgy rock band are right up my street and I can’t say they’ve ever had a bad song, they’re all bloody brilliant, but all so very different. Singer Izzy is a genuine rock star on the stage, wearing a long red summer dress but contrasting with big black boots and wild bleach blonde hair she captivates the crowd from the start. Two thirds of the way through the night she asks all the gents to step aside and let the women to the front because ‘we’re all gonna be allies tonight’ and sure enough the men obliged for the song FIRE, which is about female empowerment, and the crowd were bouncing for this one, all singing, hands in the air. How do they top that??
Oh my, Izzys vocals on SPINNING WHEEL were off the chart and it’s easily the longest gap in the middle of any song, ever. While the crowd were anticipating, Izzy and the band stood statue still, teasing them, but when that guitar ripped into the silence and she let out that scream the crowd went berserk, absolutely stunning performance of a beautiful song. HELLO TODAY was next and Izzy was mock shooting her guitar at the crowd, such a confident performer, and to wrap the night up she climbed into the crowd and performed the whole of RUN FOR COVER to perfection whilst floating on a sea of exuberant fans. It was an absolute delight to be there, singing to every single song and watching this amazing band, can’t wait to see them again.
SETLIST
1. I LIKE THE WAY YOU DIE
2. ALL MY PRIDE
3. BEACHES
4. CORRINE
5. BACK OF THE BAR
6. I ONLY HURT THE ONES I LOVE
7. MADONNA
8. I DO IT TO MYSELF
9. SOMEBODY BETTER
10. SUMMER ’92
11. DIG
12. BELIEVER
13. FIRE
14. SPINNING WHEEL
15. HELLO TODAY
16. DISINFECT
17. RUN FOR COVER
