101 WRIF hosted Dirty Honey for an electrifying night of rock on their Can’t Find The Brakes Tour, alongside Austin Meade at Saint Andrew’s Hall.
Setting the rock tone of the night was Austin Meade. The Texan singer-songwriter, armed with his guitar and magnetic stage presence, greeted the cheering crowd with “Violation Delight,” a favorite track off his latest album Abstract Art of an Unstable Mind.
The set crackled with Meade’s distinctive fusion of heavy modern rock and psychedelic California grooves, all tied in with an Americana flair. His guitar skills were nothing short of spectacular, effortlessly shifting from one genre to another all while dancing across the stage, pulling the crowd with him.
Alongside Meade was a gang of talented musicians; guitarist David Willie, drummer Aaron Hernandez, and bassist Brad Black. Booming grooves, tight rhythms, and blistering solos added layers to the already dynamic sound. The crowd was treated to a variety of Meade’s discography, including “Darker Shade of Blue,” “Sinner of the City,” an unreleased track “Face of the Freakshow,” as well as fan favorites “Happier Alone” and “Cave In.”
Closing the set with his new single “Blackout,” Austin Meade left a permanent mark on the audience, solidifying old fans and gaining many new ones.
After a killer introduction from 101 WRIF’s Jade Springart, the venue was buzzing with excitement. Amidst a haze of smoke and anticipation, Dirty Honey strode on stage full of energy, wasting no time in launching into “Can’t Find the Brakes,” the title track of their newest album and tour. This band is already a staple in the rock n’ roll community, and tonight was a perfect example of why. Frontman Marc Labelle’s gritty, soulful vocals cut through the air with an unmistakable fervor, commanding the audience’s attention from the get-go. His ability to effortlessly switch between fiery intensity and emotive crooning was nothing short of mesmerizing. Guitarist John Notto’s fretwork was a sight to behold, his fingers dancing across the strings, producing searing solos that sent shivers down the spine. The rhythm section, anchored by bassist Justin Smolian and drummer Jaydon Bean, weaved together bluesy grooves and rock-solid beats, driving each song forward with infectious groove and precision. Their chemistry was on full display, creating a tight-knit musical backbone that allowed the entire performance to soar.The start of their set was a perfect introduction to their one-of-a-kind sound, which included “California Dreamin’,” “Heartbreaker,” “Scars,” “Dirty Mind,” and “Tied Up.” They then brought things down to a more serene beat with “Coming Home (Ballad of the Shire)” before ramping right back up with a cover of The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women” and Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.”
The band’s raw, unfiltered sound transported the audience back to the heyday of classic rock while infusing a modern edge that felt both nostalgic and fresh. The energy exchange between the band and fans was electric, each feeding off the other’s enthusiasm, with Labelle thrusting his microphone out to the crowd, urging them to sing along. At one point during “Another Last Time,” Labelle worked his way through the crowd and climbed onto the bar, all while continuing to sing his heart out into the ‘finale’ of the night “When I’m Gone.” But, as any concert-goer knows, the finale is never the end. True to form, Dirty Honey quickly returned the the stage for four encore songs, “Won’t Take Me Alive” threw everyone into a frenzy before a surprise performance of “Roam.” Each member of the band had a moment to shine in an impromptu jam session before “Rolling 7’s” and the true finale of “Satisfied.”
As the final chords reverberated through the venue, it was evident that Dirty Honey’s passionate performance, unwavering talent, and genuine love for music had ignited a fire in the hearts of everyone present, leaving them craving for more.
DIRTY HONEY
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