The Hot One Two – Hitting the road with their Virtues Album and a fire that’s hard to ignore.

Where – Trillians, Newcastle

When – Thursday 13th November 25

Support – Electric Black & To Nowhere

Thursday nights don’t get much better than this. Trillians might not be the biggest venue in Newcastle, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in character. The long bar glows under the low, moody lights, the smell of beer hanging in the air as regulars and newcomers alike settle in for the night. Opposite, the small stage is already lined with gear and expectant faces, that familiar buzz of pre-show excitement running through the room. It’s intimate, and exactly the kind of place where great live music feels right at home.

Tonight’s music comes in the shape of three brilliant bands. Electric Black and To Nowhere are out supporting The Hot One Two, who are currently touring their fantastic Virtues album, released on 10th October to plenty of praise from fans and reviewers alike.

First up are Newcastle’s To Nowhere, whom I only saw a week ago at Hard Rock Hell. The beauty of a great band is that you’re always happy to see them again, no matter how little time has passed. Robbie’s vocals are instantly recognisable; there’s a raw edge to them that works so well with the grit in their songs.

He’s full of energy tonight, darting across the stage as if the floor’s been scattered with hot coals. With their refreshed line-up, the band gel naturally, and their set feels strong from start to finish. If you haven’t checked out their EP Violent Kicks and Dirty Sounds or their run of singles, including the latest release, Persona, then you really should. They’re rough around the edges, but that’s exactly where their charm lies.

To Nowhere

Video

Bloom https://youtu.be/3FdXv0K9ooM?si=6Qb4PEOkOtnIgPNv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonowhereband

A shift in pace comes courtesy of Electric Black, bringing a loud blast of classic heavy rock with a bluesy tinge. They pull from both of their albums and give us a taste of what’s coming on their third. They play Take the Roof Off, which taps into that feeling of watching a hard-working week melt away as you head into a cracking weekend. It has the crowd singing the chorus back to the band.

Put It Down On Me ramps up the drums and gets the headbangers going, and fresh from their tour in Spain, they also treat us to two new songs, Let Loose, making its UK debut, and Growing Pains, which are both high-energy tracks that deserve to be on that third album. Electric Black are polished, confident, and full of high-energy tracks that show exactly why they’re turning heads.

They close with Not Afraid to Die from their debut album, The Calm Before, which lands perfectly. It’s a tight, powerful finish from a band who clearly know exactly what they’re doing. I for one would happily go and see them again on tour.

Electric Black

Video

Hellfire Revival https://youtu.be/Mk2DTsZOOOk?si=9R4HV-7z7boTN3cD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElectricBlack

Between sets the room is buzzing. The crowd are fully invested, the music’s filling every corner of the venue, and even during changeovers there’s that lovely gig-night mix of chatting with strangers purely because you all share the same love for live music.

The Hot One Two take to the stage and waste no time, kicking things off with an assault on the eardrums that’s equal parts punchy and uplifting. They’ve always been a high-energy band, but tonight they feel particularly fired up, feeding off the crowd and pouring it all straight back into the room.

Their set blends the new Virtues material with well-loved tracks from their debut album, Superbia, which works perfectly, keeping long-time fans happy while giving the newer songs plenty of space to shine.

What stands out most is the chemistry between the band. They move around the stage with that easy confidence that only comes from years of playing together, bouncing off each other with grins that show they’re genuinely having a good time. It’s infectious, and you can see the crowd responding to every shift in intensity, every punch of the drums, and every chorus.

They roll out the two lead singles from Virtues, The Reaper and Alive Again, both of which are brilliant live, sounding even bigger and bolder than on the album. Saint Restraint and For You add a mix of grit and melody that showcases how well the band have grown into their sound. Then you’ve got the firm favourites such as Tie Me Down and Is It Hot, which get exactly the reaction you’d expect: full-on singing, hands in the air, and that lovely moment where the band don’t even need to finish the chorus because the crowd gladly takes over.

Midway through the set everything softens as the rest of the band step offstage, leaving Simon alone with his guitar for Distant Love Affair. It’s a gorgeous moment and a real change of pace, giving the night a different texture. He doesn’t rush it, and he doesn’t overdo it; he just stands there and lets the song breathe. His voice is warm, controlled, and clear, and the room goes noticeably quiet as everyone takes it in.

When the full band returns, the energy snaps straight back to where it left off. There’s a real sense of momentum behind The Hot One Two right now; you can feel it in the room, and you can see it in the fans who travel up and down the country for them. They’re tight, confident, and clearly heading for bigger stages. Tonight just proves it all the more.

The night ends far too soon. Three great bands, doing what they love, and a crowd who were all in, singing, cheering, and simply having a great time. What’s not to love about that?

The Hot One Two

The Reaper https://youtu.be/ODCschszF2Q?si=72qayLYVVnwbt3zS

Alive Again https://youtu.be/OhSXTkODbDk?si=C0KCTc4QjjunbYJc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehotonetwo