The lineup for Honey Revenge’s first headline tour this summer, The Loving and Losing Tour, is so stacked that just to call it that feels like an understatement. To borrow a phrase from Dani Nigro of Daisy Grenade, the amount of talent on the bill is insane. Whether you’re familiar with every band on the lineup or not, being lucky enough to attend will give you an experience you’ll never forget.
Nightlife was the first opener to hit the stage. Their unique blend of smooth saxophone, soaring vocals, and metalcore fusion is unlike anything I’ve ever seen live. They got the crowd dancing, then opened up a circle pit, heavy drums pairing perfectly with the wailing of the saxophone. You’d be hard-pressed to imagine a better opener for this tour. Nightlife got the party going, and while a good portion of the audience knew their music already, it was clear that anyone who didn’t became a fan over the course of their set.
Vana was up next. While I wasn’t personally familiar with Vana before seeing her on this tour, the chatter in the crowd made it clear that I was the odd man out. A group of friends beside me had met each other because they were all part of a Vana group chat. On my other side, another fan described her as one of the best performers he’d ever seen. Once she stepped onstage, I understood. With a blend of harsh and melodic vocals, she pranced her way through her set with the audience in the palm of her hand. Everyone around me sang along loudly, and for every call and response she cried out, everyone I could hear screamed back. Her whirlwind backing band paired with her own charisma made for a truly impressive show.
Next to the stage was Daisy Grenade. Admittedly, I’ve been a fan of Daisy Grenade for years, and I was particularly excited to see them take the stage on this tour as direct support. Though Dani and Keat (the band’s duo lead vocalists) were both under the weather at this show, they found ways to protect their voices and keep the crowd engaged. At multiple points throughout the set, Keat hopped down off the stage and offered the mic to an eager fan to let them shout the words in her place. As they are every time I’ve been lucky enough to see them, both vocalists were absolutely locked in with the crowd, interacting with everyone they could see singing along – which in this case was too many people to count. Their new single “Don’t Sweat It,” had dropped officially just a couple of days before, but it was clear most of the fans up front already knew the words. Daisy Grenade’s well-deserved time in the sun is very obviously here, and it was beautiful to have a front row seat for it.
Honey Revenge took the stage at last to wrap up the night. This may be their first headlining tour, but you’d never know it from the enthusiasm in that packed club. All the hard work the band has put in building their audience has clearly paid off, and even with how many shows they’ve sold out on their tour, it’s hard to wonder why they’re not even bigger while you watch them perform. Lead vocalist Devin Papadol is an absolute powerhouse of energy, and I’ve almost never seen anyone smile onstage as often and as broadly as lead guitarist Donny Lloyd. The band was in their element, clearly enjoying their well-deserved spotlight, opening with their new single “Risk,” before launching into a set of early throwback songs, unreleased music, and well-loved hits.
Get connected with Nightlife, Vana, Daisy Grenade, and Honey Revenge if you aren’t already, and if you’re lucky enough to be able to catch one of the last handful of shows on the Loving and Losing Tour, I’d suggest you grab a ticket while you still can.
All photos courtesy of Allison Haley and Fox Nichols for Honorable Mention Magazine. Photos by Allison Haley were taken at the Chicago show.
