Review: Honeyblood, The Crescent, York, May 3

HONEYBLOOD’S York show is the fourth of their 28-date No Drama tour in support of forthcoming third album In Plain Sight.

There’s a respectable Friday night crowd at The Crescent enjoying what could be the city centre’s best-value bar. First on are support band Feet, who bring silly hats, daft dancing and a few well-crafted songs that feel like a “drug-free Blur” homage.

The driving force behind Honeyblood is hard-working Scottish songwriter Stina Tweeddale on guitar and vocals. Following a support slot for Garbage on their 2018 UK tour, she set about writing the latest album, recording it in nine days.

First song Sea Hearts starts with words “sipping tequila” which sets the tone for the evening. Tweeddale is clearly a talented songwriter with thoughtful, introspective lyrics and comparisons to Nineties' favourites The Breeders are well deserved.

New material features early in the set, with The Third Degree and its catchy “drama, drama baby” chorus. Despite only three gigs and a live slot on BBC 6Music earlier in the week, the band are polished. The sound is really good, and new songs Gibberish and Glimmer interlock nicely with Babes Never Die, the second album’s title track, and Killer Bangs from the eponymous debut.

An encore-free set means the evening finishes on a high with current single She’s A Nightmare and the powerful Ready For The Magic. Tequila slammers all round.

Honeyblood are on tour across Britain in May and June; In Plain Sight will be released on May 24.

Dave Roberston