The last night of a tour is sure to bring fatigue to any band or artist, with touring largely consisting of drinking, travelling and performing. For both Younghusband and H. Hawkline, who were playing their final show of their week-long tour, it was made much worse as they’d been on a big night out after their London show the night before they hit The Joker. Of course the results could’ve been disastrous, but it’s testament to both bands that what followed was something endearing, funny and really quite special.

First up were London band Younghusband who declared their delirium before they’d even played a note. Frontman Euan Hinshelwood announced that “it was their last night on tour with H. Hawkline and we’re all in various states of dis-repair, especially me”. Their ramshackle set made this evident, but to their credit it made them all the more appealing. Their enticing dreamy pop juxtaposed their dilapidated performance between songs where they muttered amongst each other as to what they were going to play. It made their performance that much more charming and unique.

Of course, though, it was Heavenly Records signee H. Hawkline that everyone was there to see and, for anyone that has seen him before, he performed what we can now call a vintage display. One thing that is clear straight away is his eccentric nature. Donning what he describes as his “sister’s dressing-gown” and drinking honey straight from the bottle, it’s quite mystifying just how he manages to pull it off. By all means, he certainly does. He looks like a star as much as he sounds like one.

Straight from the off, H. Hawkline showed off his playful nature stating that “I can’t see anyone because of those two spotlights on me, that and this dressing gown make it look like I’ve just escaped a mental asylum”. What is clear from this show is just how funny he is. Whether it’s offering his brother’s psychiatric services to the crowd, talking about how bad his hangover is or reacting to the crowd’s applause (and a one-time gasp), it’s apparent that he belongs on the stage.

Furthermore, his set-list was divine. It’s getting to the point now, with three albums under his belt, that H. Hawkline’s shows feel like greatest hits sets. Opening with latest single ‘Engineers’ and swiftly following into In the Pink of Condition cut ‘Moons In My Mirror’ he has the audience captivated with his first note. The set is dominated by latest album I Romanticize with ‘Means That Much’, ‘Impossible People’ and ‘Love Matters’ all sounding like they’re on their way to becoming fan favourites. A set highlight was without a doubt penultimate song ‘Last Thing on Your Mind’. This turned The Joker into a mini-disco, showcasing H. Hawkline’s adaptability; as for that song, he turned into a disco crooner in the style of Talking Heads frontman, David Byrne. Throughout the show, he exhibited that he is legitimately one of the finest artists Britain has to offer, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s in bigger venues making thousands fall in love with his beautiful lyricism and howling with laughter at his near-perfect dead-pan delivery.

The final song of the night saw members of Younghusband join the band on the tiny Joker stage to cover Welsh artist Meic Stevens. The cover of ‘Cura dy Law’, which included an anecdote into how Stevens claims he killed Jimi Hendrix, was surprisingly uplifting and you could almost see both band’s hangovers lifting. The show ended with H. Hawkline showing his love for both bands and it was clear to see the adoration they all had for each other on this tour. Maybe just take it easier next time though, yeah?

Liam McMillen

Facebook: facebook.com/H-Hawkline-1520401441525531
Twitter: twitter.com/H_HAWKLINE

Read our interview with H. Hawkline from back in 2015: https://brightonsfinest.com/html/index.php/new-music-interviews/888-h-hawkline-interview-2015