LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: HONEY REVENGE & RAIN CITY DRIVE AT ELECTRIC BALLROOM, LONDON 31/01/26
The energy at the Electric Ballroom was nothing short of electric as three powerhouses of the modern alternative scene hit Camden Town. From Belmont’s pop-punk chaos to the co-headliners Honey Revenge, with their infectious pop-rock, and Rain City Drive, with their emotional rock anthems, Saturday night was a pure delight for alternative fans.
Chicago pop-punk outfit Belmont opened the show with their perfect blend of clean vocals and guttural screams and one clear goal in mind: getting the crowd absolutely wild from the start, ready for the stacked line-up that was about to follow.
Frontman Taz Johnson was relentless, demanding the crowd’s participation with shouts of, "London, get the fuck off your feet!" and later checking in with, "Are we still awake out there?"
After asking the crowd to hold their fingers up in a moment of solidarity, they closed with ‘Overstepping,’ demanding the audience to "lose their shit" one last time.
If Belmont brought grit to the stage, Honey Revenge came with glitter and a definite sharp, pop punk-rock twist to it. Since forming in 2021, vocalist Devin Papadol and guitarist Donny Lloyd have mastered the art of the "rock-show-meets-dance-party."
The front woman is a whirlwind of charisma, delivering a vocally perfect performance punctuated by high kicks and constant movement, whilst Lloyd brought infectious energy and a never-ending smile to a very excited and engaged audience. Originally a two-piece band, the duo was also accompanied on stage by bassist Sher and drummer Matt, who were a beautiful addition to the outfit, also bringing their colourful flair and electric energy.
The performance felt more like a dance floor than a rock show, which was clearly intended by the band, as per Papadol’s request before introducing a new, unreleased song later halfway through set, “we’re gonna dance like it’s a club London, I want to see you move”.
The show was also a masterclass in crowd control by the band: whether Papadol was asking for "any sensitive bitches in the house" before introducing the track ‘Sensitive’, or inviting the crowd to "shake some ass" during the infectious ‘Favorite Song,’ the engagement never dipped and the energy was always on a constant high.
From a conga line snaking through the Ballroom to a massive wall of death during ‘Poison Apple Baby’, the band had the fans in the palm of their hands throughout the show. Papadol even jumped into the crowd during ‘Worst Apology’, declaring, "looks like you guys are having fun out there, I’m gonna join you."
Before closing the set with the highly popular ‘Airhead’, the band also teased the completion of their next album, leaving the London crowd absolutely buzzing for what’s next.
Closing the night, Rain City Drive faced a little uphill battle. Frontman Matt McAndrew admitted he was battling illness, even confessing later during the night, "I wasn't sure if I was able to sing today." Despite the vocal strain, he delivered a powerhouse performance that definitely suggested otherwise.
The setlist was a mix of new material (‘Frozen’, Cutting It Close’) and throwbacks for the long-time fans alike (‘Prayers’, ‘Talk To A Friend’, ‘Like I Do’ and ‘Heavier’ from their Slaves era, the band renaming to Rain City Drive alongside the release of the album of the same name in 2022), ensuring that every iteration of their journey was represented. ‘Wish You The Best’ also resonated deeply, with the singer asking, "Anyone going through a breakup?" to a roar of empathetic cheers.
‘Eye Opener’ saw the stage swallowed in thick smoke, creating a haunting visual to match the heavy riffs and mosh pits. The highlight of the set was undoubtedly ‘Neverbloom.’ McAndrew asked the crowd to put their torches up as he dedicated the song to his late father, stating, "I wish he could see the man I've become." It was a vulnerable moment that saw the entire Ballroom glowing.
The performance ended on a high when McAndrew also joined the crowd at the end of the last song, moshing with the fans and making his way back to the stage in the best way possible: crowdsurfing.
The vibe throughout the night was truly unmatched. Every act on the bill got a headliner’s welcome, making the whole night feel like one massive, non-stop celebration, with never-ending moshing, crowd interactions and loud cheers. Despite the sickness and the sweat, the three-band bill proved that the scene is more alive than ever.
Words and photos by Florelle Servageon
