THE HUNNA - BIRMINGHAM O2 INSTITUTE, 08 APRIL 2019

BY SHARI BLACK VELVET

Originally scheduled for Autumn 2018, The Hunna postponed their tour following a split with their record label. The wait was most definitely worth it though, as they show now more than ever that they are serious about their craft, and nothing and no one will stop them.

Support comes in the form of Retro Video Club from Edinburgh and Barns Courtney. Barns Courtney in particular makes a great impression with outstanding songs and stage presence. He has almost an old-worldly vocal style, with vibes of western tales of yonder. ‘Golden Dandelions’ has a monstrously catchy beat that gets almost the whole room bouncing up and down. ‘Kicks’ and ‘Fire’ stomp and strut, showing a folkish flamboyance to the frontman. He’ll be headlining these rooms soon, mark our words.

When The Hunna enter onto the stage, they don’t kick into the opening number like most bands do, but instead vocalist/guitarist Ryan Potter explains how they’ve had to take some time out due to some ‘bad people who were trying to fuck us over, and you guys’. Because of that, ‘We Could Be’ makes the perfect opening number – the song includes the lyrics ‘God knows we’re survivors’ – and that The Hunna most definitely are.

Tonight, they don’t just survive, they thrive – and so does the crowd through them. With a setlist full of hypnotizing tunes, you won’t fail to be in awe of the four-piece. Their songs are not just solid indie/alternative rock tunes, but they have emotion sweeping through, honesty and passion. Plus, their impressive musical talent and song structures magnify it all. You can feel a mixture of angst and pain in the acoustic ‘Brother’, there’s a big cheer for the sumptuous ‘Babe, Can I Call?’ while ‘Rock My Way’ even brings about a random swinging umbrella in the mosh pit. Ryan comments that it’s the first time he’s ever seen an umbrella in the pit. ‘Dare’ is an in-yer-face gem, while ‘Flickin’ Your Hair’ is a gorgeous song that really sparkles, especially with Daniel Dorney’s atmospheric guitar work. “I love that song, but every time I feel like I’m going to pass out after it,” comments Ryan at the end of the song, taking a drink to get his breath back. It’s not long after when the show is stopped due to an incident in the crowd with an audience member requiring medical attention. Ryan and the band stop and make sure the audience member is taken care of and everyone is ok before continuing – which shows what a caring group of guys they are.

They play a couple of new songs – ‘I Get High To Forget’, which lights up the room before ‘She’s Casual’ and ‘Bonfire’, and ‘DGAF’, which shows the more raucous side of the band. Ryan heads into the crowd not once, not twice, but three times, for a small bit of crowd surfing. A mass sing-along ends the show with ‘Never Enough’, and ‘Never Enough’ is exactly how we feel after the show, wanting to see the band again and again and again.

An interview with The Hunna is in issue 101 of Black Velvet.