H.E.A.T. Live at Islington Assembly – A Fiery Performance to Kick Off the Year
I’ve been eagerly waiting to see H.E.A.T. live for ages, and catching up with them in Islington certainly set the bar high for gigs this year. On record, I’ve always found their sound a bit too heavy on the cheesy synths, which softened their edge. But live? They’re an entirely different beast. The synth was toned down, and the band came out swinging, delivering an explosive performance right from the get-go.
The current lineup includes: Kenny Leckremo on vocals, Don Crash on drums, Jona Tee on keyboards, Dave Dalone on guitar, and Jimmy Jay on bass. Leckremo is the archetypal metal frontman, with hair flying as he hit notes that defy belief. His stage presence was magnetic, commanding the audience’s attention while giving his bandmates plenty of room to showcase their talents.
From the first notes of ‘Disaster,’ the set was on fire. Dave Dalone’s riffs ripped through the air, while Don Crash and Jimmy Jay locked in on rhythm, and Leckremo was a force of nature. The crowd, nearly a sell-out, was fully engaged, singing along with Leckremo on nearly every track. The energy never waned, and by the end of the night, the audience left feeling thoroughly satisfied by a stunning show.
Before H.E.A.T. took the stage, there were sets from Art Nation and the return of Chez Kane. Chez Kane opened the evening with a strong and well-received set, showcasing her powerhouse vocals and excellent stage presence as a classic rock singer. Art Nation’s set was shorter than expected but still packed a punch, displaying impressive fluidity and power in their music.
H.E.A.T. Setlist:
- Disaster
- Emergency
- Dangerous Grounds
- We Rise
- Hollywood
- Harder To Breathe
- In And Out Of Trouble
- Beg For Your Love
- Drum Solo (including Queen’s Slash cover)
- Back To The Rhythm
- Living On The Run
- Straight To Your Heart
- Bad Time For Love
- One By One
- 1000 Miles
- Nationwide
- Tearing Down The Walls
Photo credit: Digital Island
