There is a real buzz in the air tonight at the Stylus Venue at Leeds University for Dirty Honey. The doors may have been an early (6.30pm with curfew of 10.00pm) but the Stylus is rammed tonight and it’s really good to see a real cross-section of ages. Dirty Honey really do seem to be attracting a following of all ages, which is great. I first saw Dirty Honey supporting the Rival Sons in June 2022 and was blown away by their stage presence, energy and catchy rock songs. I caught them again in January 2023 when they played their first UK headline show, with those shows quickly selling out. Now playing larger venues Dirty Honey are on the up.
The intro music of AC/DC’s Rock and Roll Damnation seems a fitting way for the old guard to introduce these new young upstarts, who are taking over the rock ‘n’ roll world by storm – Yes, there are hints of the Classic Rock bands of old and their formula isn’t new, but boy do these guys know how to put on a show. From start to finish the crowd are held in their grip. Marc Labelle is a front man to behold, he has everything. A voice that is up there with the very best Rock vocalists there have ever been, with the looks and moves to die for.
Their latest album ‘Can’t Find the Brakes’ which is also the name of the tour, is the basis for the set tonight, with six songs from it getting the live treatment. It is a storming album and these songs are becoming fan favourites already, but it’s the older tunes that really get the audience going nuts and when John Notto let’s rip on his Gibson Les Paul with the intro of ‘Another Time’ you better believe that this is a guitar hero in the making. The swagger and playing is a pleasure to behold, I could listen all night to these new classic licks.
This is what Rock is all about and Dirty Honey are the next generation. Forgot the fading Arena Bands of the past, these are the new kids on the block and they have taken over. Catch them while you can at these intimate venues. I may not have seen The Who play Leeds Uni in 1970 but I was there when Dirty Honey played there in 2024, fifty-four years later.
Photos by David Pickles
