Live: The Hunna @ O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

by | Jan 29, 2017

Shepherds Bush Empire awaits The Hunna: 26th January 2017 (Simon Reed | Musical Pictures)

Shepherds Bush Empire awaits The Hunna: 26th January 2017 (Simon Reed)

Last time I photographed The Hunna was in front of a couple of hundred people at a sold-out Boston Music Room in London’s Tufnell Park. Nine months later, they’re back promoting their debut album 100 at a sold-out Shepherds Bush Empire. This time around, the venue capacity has multiplied ten-fold, ticket resale sites are asking stupid money, and touts are out in force patrolling Shepherds Bush Green. It was obvious from the outset that this band were going places and the evidence displayed in and around this splendid West London venue seems to speak for itself.

The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed | Musical Pictures)

The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed)

The Hertfordshire four-piece took to the Empire stage at nine-thirty; by which time the front row had been squashed against the barrier for hours and a few unfortunate members of the audience had already been plucked by security from the melee. The Hunna are fronted by the charismatic Ryan Potter, whose blonde mane flowed and whose black leather trousers probably helped contribute to his falsetto vocal stylings. He also goes by the pseudonym of ‘Valentino’ (a nod to the fact that his due birth date was 14th February, though he in fact arrived one day later). Had he actually become ‘Valentino Potter’ he’d probably have had a hard time at school. Stood in front of several hundred doting teenage girls it now seemed entirely appropriate.

Ryan Potter and Jack Metcalfe of The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed | Musical Pictures)

Ryan Potter and Jack Metcalfe of The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed)

The Hunna, with their Catfish/Kings Of Leon inspired anthemic pop-rock sound, are extremely populist if a little derivative. Save for the occasional ballad such as Sycamore Tree, which saw guitarist Dan Dorney and bassist Jermaine Angin sitting atop the drum riser surveying a sea of mobile phone torches waving in the air (well, everybody vapes these days), there wasn’t a lot of light and shade on offer tonight.

Jermaine Angin of The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed | Musical Pictures)

Jermaine Angin of The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed)

The majority of the set blended into one wall of noise with the three out front thrashing guitars and Jack Metcalfe behind the kit battering skins. Metcalfe’s kick drum bore the same ‘100’ emoji that adorns the album cover – perhaps the cleverest piece of omnipresent image marketing since Hard Fi appropriated the surveillance camera logo on Stars Of CCTV.

Ryan Potter of The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed | Musical Pictures)

Ryan Potter of The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed)

After three songs in front of the crush taking pictures, I retired to the relative calm of the level one balcony and surveyed the scene. The crowd on the floor was on the rabid side of over-exited and contained more moving parts than a Swiss wrist watch. It took a while for the balconies (and there are so many of them at the Empire) to warm up to the same degree, but by the time crowd pleasers such as We Could Be and Bonfire came along everyone in the place was jumping. The balcony briefly adopted the dynamics of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, though fortunately without the fateful final outcome. Any misgivings I held were clearly not being shared by anybody else.

Expectant audience awaits The Hunna, Shepherds Bush Empire London (Simon Reed | Musical Pictures)

Expectant audience awaits The Hunna, Shepherds Bush Empire London (Simon Reed)

There were three encores: World Is Ours, Brother and Bad For You. The audience expressed disappointment when Potter announced the final song. He pointed out that they had just played the entire album and announced that as soon as the tour was done they were set to record the sophomore. Everyone was happy again. It will be interesting to see just how far The Hunna go from here. For me, they’re a little one-dimensional but the fan base is deep and undeniably fervent. If the band retain the current trajectory, they’re surely set for a very bright future indeed.

Review & Photography by Simon Reed. The Hunna at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire 26th January 2017.

Ryan Potter and Jermaine Angin of The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed | Musical Pictures)

Ryan Potter and Jermaine Angin of The Hunna performing at Shepherds Bush Empire London on 26 January 2017 (Simon Reed)

Simon has his own music photography site here: http://www.musicalpictures.co.uk

 

Liang Lawrence (Ana Chen)

Liang Lawrence Unveils Reflective New Single ‘A Day Off In Margaritaville’ Ahead Of Autumn UK Tour

Rising alt-pop storyteller Liang Lawrence has shared her shimmering new single A Day Off In Margaritaville, a vibrant, emotionally layered track that marks the first offering from her upcoming EP It’s A Funny Thing, due later this year via The Other Songs.

Mae Stephens (Hannah Burton)

Mae Stephens Returns With Infectious New Single ‘Tiny Voice’

Breakout pop star Mae Stephens is back with a bang as she drops her irresistibly offbeat new single, Tiny Voice — a track as addictive as it is relatable. Following the runaway global success of her hit If We Ever Broke Up, which racked up over 500 million streams, landed her a Top 15 UK single, and earned Gold certifications in both the UK and US, Stephens continues to show why she’s one of the most exciting new voices in pop.

Maya Lane (Press)

Maya Lane Announces New Single ‘I Don’t Know You Yet’ And Debut London Headline Show Ahead Of New EP

Rising UK pop-country star Maya Lane continues her impressive 2025 trajectory with the release of a stunning new single, I Don’t Know You Yet, out now. The introspective, stripped-back track offers a poignant taste of her forthcoming EP, The Hurt And The Healing, due out on 4th September, and precedes her debut headline show at London’s The Grace on 3rd September.

Perera Elsewhere (Hugo Holger Schneider x Gene Glover)

Perera Elsewhere Returns With Electrifying Double Single Ft. Andy S & Announces New Album

Berlin-based, UK-raised experimental artist Perera Elsewhere (aka Sasha Perera) is back with a high-voltage double single, F*ck Le System / Time Will Tell, out now on Friends Of Friends – both featuring viral Ivorian rapper Andy S. The release serves as a bold statement on feminine strength, social rebellion, and sonic experimentation.

Don McLean @ The Long Road Festival (Press)

The Long Road Festival 2025 Assembles Its Biggest Line-Up Yet For August Bank Holiday Weekend

Now entering its sixth and most ambitious year to date, The Long Road Festival 2025 is set to deliver its boldest celebration of country, Americana, and roots music yet, taking over the scenic Stanford Hall in Leicestershire from 22nd–24th August. With more than 80 artists across six stages, the weekend promises an immersive blend of genre-spanning music, authentic Americana culture, and inclusive community spirit — and has already become the festival’s fastest-selling edition to date.

Stevie Wonder @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Bethan Miller-Carey)

A Night In Wonderland: Stevie Wonder And Guests Delight At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Awwwwight!” drawls Stevie Wonder, arms flung wide, grinning like a teenager trying on cockney charm for the first...
Neil Young @ BST Hyde Park (Trudi Knight)

Dance, Shadow And Harvest Under The Full Moon: Van Morrison, Yusuf Islam And Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts At BST Hyde Park 2025

Gone are the sparkled cowgirls and pop princesses of previous BST gigs. It’s the turn of the Baby Boomer generation to make up the core crowd of Hyde Park – a sea of grey hair, straw hats, and sensible shoes. They reapply sun cream religiously, have brought picnic blankets, and can be forgiven for taking their time getting up and down from the ground between acts. This is the generation that invented outdoor rock and folk festivals – and they’re here to show the rest of us how it’s done.

Poptones (Rune Gro-Nielsen)

Poptones Play Their Wild Card With New Single ‘Say Something Now’ Ahead of Forthcoming Album ‘Pure’

Danish experimental rock trio Poptones have unveiled their new single Say Something Now, offering a taste of the unpredictability and emotional depth that defines their upcoming sophomore album Pure, out 26th September via Happy Metal Records. Where lead single Skin Of Sea teased a shift toward expansive and instinctive composition, Say Something Now dives headlong into that experimental impulse—guided, intriguingly, by the rules of UNO. Yes, the beloved card game.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing