A forceful collison of headliners at the engine rooms

⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)

RAIN CITY DRIVE AT ENGINE ROOMS, SOUTHAMPTON
PHOTOCREDIT: **CHARIS LYDIA BAGIOKI**

The Engine Rooms is always abuzz with a variety of acts, fans, and nights that vary, and tonight was no different. Three bands one night and plenty of noise. Rain City Drive and Honey Revenge set out on their UK co-headline tour this month, joined by Belmont, and while the genres and sound felt like they’d been tossed into a blender, the result worked well. Before the two headliners arrived, we were treated to Belmont. Warming up the room, and it felt like a throwback in the best way. Being from Chicago, it had that feeling of a resurrection of past pop-punk sounds with tracks like “Hollowed Out” and “Overstepping”. One that had you pining for the emotions of your teenage years.

The time came for the first headliner to come out, and that was Rain City Drive. Few bands can become masters of reinvention. Rising from the rocky beginnings of Slaves, the group have shed the grime of the past and started anew with lead singer Matt at the reins. One that is passionate, talented, and has the same vision as the guys. As an original fan of Slaves, one of the most enjoyable moments was watching founding member Colin Vieira onstage. There was something special about him thriving with the stage as his home. Visibly at ease and with people surrounding that same creative headspace. They're not trying to live up to old expectations. Instead, they seem to have taken that pain and transformed it into something that is top-tier food for soul music.

That soul also extended into their visuals. Rainy City Drive brought style; there were no thrown-on outfits or rolled-out-of-bed looks to be seen. Lead singer Matt sporting a cropped band tee, tailored trousers, and a pair of shiny shoes that gave the epitome of fashion. The two went hand in hand with the music, the image matching the sharp sounds onstage. There’s something about a band that respects how they present themselves; it always elevates the set a little more for me. cohesive outfits that just make the set that little more extra for me. Respect for themselves and the image they choose to put out.

Their setlist spanned a well-rounded catalogue from 2019’s “Heavier” to the grief-stricken “Never Bloom”. The golden edge of Rain City Drive is their emotional range. There was a song for any mood tonight. Going through it and needing some venomous lyrics? They’ve got you covered with “Wish You Best”, or if you want a gentle but firm talk with yourself, then “Talk to a Friend” has you covered. It’s cliche to say a singer's vocals are hypnotic, as of course that is subjective to the listeners. But he has such a soul in the way he sings; it’s effortless in delivery. Not to diminish his performance, but just standing there delivering out emotional tracks that are not only relatable but also bring a lump in the throat. The set flew by in less than an hour, and I wanted more; that is the greed talking.

One of the things I love most about shows in smaller venues is the interactions and crowd connections. It feels more real, not distant. Voices coming together to sing songs that mean the most to them. As everyone has that one song, the one that has helped or healed. Seeing many in the crowd passionately involved, firing back the words in unison with passion and freedom. Rain City Drive are without a doubt in their best form, and it’s clear that things are getting bigger and better for them.

HONEY REVENGE AT ENGINE ROOMS, SOUTHAMPTON
PHOTOCREDIT: **CHARIS LYDIA BAGIOKI**

Closing out the night, all the way from LA, California, was Honey Revenge. First of all, applause for the outfits. I love nothing more than seeing fun, cohesive styling, and not to mention an all- purple palette is pleasing to my eyes. Sparkling purple guitars paired with matching dresses and even hair. They demanded your attention from their first steps on to the stage, and as they launched into the first track, “Risk”, with perfectly timed kicks, jumps and nonstop moments, it was more like a high-energy fitness class. It was hard to not smile watching them. They had a natural charm that pulled you in even if you perhaps weren't familiar with the group. By the time, "Are you impressed?" The answer was a big yes. Delivering a 15-track setlist that was nothing but energy and confidence, as if they had a point to prove. It worked wonders.