Dirty Honey and Baby Said Liven Up London’s The Electric Ballroom [Show Review]

A Monday night in Camden is no different than a Friday or Saturday. This small pocket of London doesn’t know the meaning of sleep, making it the ever-perfect place for a concert. On tonight’s billing, we had the outstanding Dirty Honey returning to the UK for their “Can’t Find the Breaks” tour in support of their latest record of the same name. Supporting them was the pretty much completely unknown Baby Said.

Dirty Honey’s popularity is currently on an upward trajectory, moving at a rate of knots with new fans joining their army almost at an hourly rate, so the chance to see them at a mid-sized venue such as the Electric Ballroom could be considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Tonight had all the makings of a memorable night, especially considering the whispers from Birmingham about the outstanding performance the previous night.

Before Dirty Honey took to the stage, it was up to a band 90% of the crowd had no real knowledge off, Baby Said, an all-female four-piece. Upon entering the stage and even before playing, their nervous were on full display even whilst the lights remained down allowing the currently playing track to finish up It actually looked torturous for the poor ladies. As Baby Said began their moment in the spotlight, it unfortunately must be said, their playing was a little ropy for the first couple of tracks. Despite the slightly questionable start, their funk-orientated style started to draw in the crowd’s attention and as they settled in and allowed themselves to relax more, the talent they clearly had begun to shine through. By the mid-point of their set any nerves they were suffering with had evaporated away and these ladies were harmonising beautifully together, and enjoying every moment they had on this stage.

As their set drew to its conclusion, the now relaxed quartet ceased their chance of having the audience illuminate the venue with their phone cameras, which the crowd gleefully obliged. The best comparison I can give of this experience would be that of watching your mates band whom you firmly believe should have a break, get that opportunity. Out of their 10-song set, there is currently (at the time of writing) just the one song available you can listen to “Fight”, and I will strongly recommend you add this tune to your current playlist and show this fledgling band some love. I promise you will not be disappointed, and these ladies will appreciate your support more than you will know.

For the main event, the darkened stage signified the party was about to get into full swing. As the lights began to illuminate the Can’t Find the Breaks album artwork, AC/DC’s “Rock n’ Roll Damnation” played Dirty Honey onto the stage as the audience gleefully sang along in full knowledge they were about to experience a night of good old, Southern-inspired rock n’ roll. With the intensity of a freight train moving at full speed, Dirty Honey blasted hard into “Can’t Find the Breaks.” After a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it introduction from vocalist Marc Labelle, the group powered forward with “California Dreamin’,” with Labelle enticing the audience to sing along with each note. The slick southern sound was a welcome slice of pure joy for a Monday night in Camden!

Labelle then introduced “Heartbreaker,” dedicating it to all the ladies in the audience. As expected, this simple statement ensured the crowd’s attention didn’t diminish even for a moment, following up with another crowd-pleasing sing-along, “Get a Little Bit High.”

Labelle then took a moment to comment on the energy emanating from the audience, stating, “If this is London on a Monday night, I can’t imagine what a Friday night is like!” before powering through “Scars,” “Dirty Mind” and “Tied Up” with John Notto demonstrating at every available opportunity his superior riffing skills whilst Labelle led the venue in some synchronized clapping and even a brief acapella moment from Labelle during “Tied Up.”

After the barrage of belters, Labelle once again addressed the audience expressing his joy at being back. “London has been good to us” he proudly announced as bassist Justin Smolian set aside his bass in favour of an acoustic guitar enabling the band to slow things down for “Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire)”. As Labelle’s vocals permeated the venue the atmosphere adjusted itself as his words washed over the crowd cleansing away any and all negativity. As the ballad came to its conclusion it earned the biggest cheer of the night, at least so far. The chilled atmosphere was short lived though as Labelle changed gear stating it was time for a little honky tonk as Dirty Honey delivered an outstanding, crowd-pleasing rendition of The Rolling Stones “Honky Tonk Woman”. The audience sang joyfully along to the well-known hit with Notto, once again, on top form oozing coolness from both his guitar and very presence on stage. The quartet were not yet done with the covers though, as the fans were also treated to Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy”.

It was at this point that Dirty Honey graced the crowd with possibly their most requested live song. Slowing things down once again, Labelle focused his vocal range delivering the exceptional “Roam”. Once again Labelle’s soulful voice commanded the entire room to the extent that even fans singing along right next to you was drowned out by what Dirty Honey were delivering in that moment.

Closing out the night with “The Wire”, “Another Last Time”, and When I’m Gone” (as well as a two-song encore) with Labelle even making his way into the crowd getting up close and personal. This was an outstanding performance from a band that still has not garnered the recognition fully owed to them, but this will come with time. It is a juxtaposed feeling of both joy and sorrow seeing Dirty Honey this night. Joy as this was a gig to remember, but sorrow as it is highly unlikely, they will be able to play this size a venue again.

You can read our review on Dirty Honey’s latest record, Can’t Find the Breaks here.

Baby Said Setlist:

Sweet Talk
Mouth Shut
Overload
123
Panic Attack
Mean Girlz
You Killed It
Fight
Burn
Dead to Me

Dirty Honey Setlist:

Can’t Find the Breaks
California Dreamin’
Heartbreaker
Get a Little High
Scars
Dirty Mind
Tied Up
Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire)
Honky Tonk Woman (The Rolling Stones cover)
Don’t Put Out the Fire
Let’s Go Crazy (Prince cover)
Roam
The Wire
Another Last Time
When I’m Gone
Encore:
Won’t Take Me Alive
Rolling 7s