LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: WINONA FIGHTER AT THE BLACK HEART, LONDON 21/05/25
Photo gallery for Winona Fighter here
Winona Fighter have been on the road for a couple of dates in the UK already this week, and there will be no chance for a breather until the bank holiday is done. After the sold-out show at The Black Heart, the Nashville rockers support The Used at The Dome and then join a stonking line up of Alt legends at the weekend for both Slam Dunk dates.
First up, getting the night going and describing themselves as sleepy punk there was very little that was sleepy about Young Fatigue’s set.
“It's our job to warm you up. We've already done a great job for ourselves; I'm spicy” jokes frontman Ash Dixon as they smashed through ‘You Can't Defeat the Power of Two Groovy Feet’. The London Trio was sans their usual drummer Paf who was stuck in Mexico. Luckily his stand in Chris was more than capable, despite only having had a single practice with the band.
‘Am I Pretty Now?’ a standout in the set. A song about body confidence, or lack thereof. Dixon describing picking out a cute outfit for the night, looking in the mirror and saying “okay I guess this is what I'm working with.”
Dedicating one of the angriest and frenetic songs of the set to corrupt politicians, Young Fatigue are indeed punk but with heavy emo threads running through their sound. Many of the basslines are Green Day reminiscent with Taking Back Sunday influence within in the riffs.
“You're all so lovely and kind.” Dixon gushed as he introduced the most recent release ‘Bright Eyes’. This ended up being a unique part of the set, the track is slower but it still hitting hard.
‘Sold out’, the band's most notable track thus far came next, written after they played a show to absolutely no one - a rite of passage in the early days of many band’s careers. The concept of the song is to book a small venue, buy all the tickets and claim it as sold out. Smart? Sure. The makings of a fun song? Absolutely.
It's at this point in the set we were treated to a video call with Paf in Mexico, who stays on the line and bops along to an entire track from the outstretched arm of an audience member. Tackling a broken string just before the last song ‘Love/Them’, Young Fatigue wrapped up what was a solid and engaging opener.
Before getting into the banter portion of the evening, Winona Fighter smashed their way through ‘You Look Like A Drunk Phoebe Bridgers’ and ‘I Think You Should Leave’ before even saying so much as a ‘‘Hi how are you’’.
“This is the craziest show ever.” Singer and guitarist Coco Kinnon declared. “We've never played in London before. This is a great introduction.” She beamed around the room at the enthusiastic throng. Indeed, the upstairs room at The Black Heart in Camden is packed to capacity and high on life, everyone in attendance gave everything they had back to the band through a 16-track set that contained the entirety of the group's new record My Apologies to the Chef.
It was only the third song of the set but during 'R U FAMOUS?' the rhythm section had already gone topless. They really can't be blamed for it, the room was heating up, and heating up fast.
‘ATTENTION’ brings on the mosh pits, led by Jake from Chicago who earned himself a free beer and much admiration for his efforts.
The back and forth between Kinnon and the audience was second to none, between a chant of ‘cunt’ (one of Kinnon's favourite words) and her accidental use of the phrase ‘big soccer game’ (quickly corrected to football). The rapport between band and fans was natural, cheeky and sincere.
After a ruckus rendition of Blur's ‘Song 2’, a perfectly placed cover in the set, we were treated to another run of high energy bangers including ‘Swear to God’, ‘Wlbrn St Tvrn’ and ‘TALK’ before landing on a song Kinnon informed us isn't ever played in the US anymore - ‘Nyc’. “Don't tell 'em we played this for you.” She winked.
“This is your last chance to move!” came the call as Winona Fighter wrapped the night up blasting through ‘HAMMS IN A GLASS’ and The Black Heart heeded with final mosh pits and the last ounces of energy.
First ever show in London, done. And boy, was it one to remember.
Words: Imogen Bird
Photos: Florelle Servageon
Full setlist below:
You Look Like A Drunk Phoebe Bridgers
I Think You Should Leave
R U FAMOUS
Subaru
ATTENTION
JUMPERCABLES
I’M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE
Swimmers Ear
Song 2
Swear To God
Wlbrn St Tvrn
TALK
Nyc
Johnny’s Dead
DON’T WALLOW
HAMMS IN A GLASS