LIVE REVIEW & GALLERY: Hell Hotel @ The Underworld, Camden
21st August 2024
Last week I travelled to iconic London venue The Underworld in Camden to check out new band Hell Hotel, from Brighton. This band are an alt rock / emo duo that are fresh on the scene, having released just 2 singles ‘Smile.’ and ‘Jennifer’s body.’ The band were here to support up and coming alt rocker Kid Brunswick, along with UK band TOVA.
The Underworld has been a venue I have attended throughout my teen years and into my adulthood. As an intimate venue with a capacity of 500, this Camden gem has supported both local and international upcoming bands, as well as hosting some more established groups doing smaller scale shows. For their first ever tour, Hell Hotel are kicking off strong by playing this renown London venue.
As soon as the band graced the humble stage, the crowd’s energy was already there from the start. Beginning with one of their recent releases, the audience sang along to the lyrics. I felt that many people here had come to see this band, and even though they are early on in their musical journey, they already have an established fan base. Vocalist Demi’s stage presence kept the crowd engaged, whether they knew the band or were hearing them for the first time. Vocalist and guitarist Tom added another layer of vocals and screams to the melodies, which I feel brings something really special to this band and expands their fanbase. I really enjoyed watching these two on stage as well as listening.
Looking at this band, the last thing you would expect from them would be a Sugababes cover, but that’s exactly what we got mid-way through the groups set. Their cover of ‘About You Now’ was an amazing alternative spin on the 2007 pop hit, and a great way to engage with audience members that weren’t familiar with their songs. As well as writing their own songs, taking a pop song and completely making it their own, to me, shows real talent and range.
Hell Hotel’s set came to an end with their single ‘Smile.’ The audience, which had grown since the beginning of the show, waved their hands in the air in unison to the band's last song. I always have a soft spot for bands that are humble and appreciative of getting to do what they do. I could tell by their energetic performance that this group are really passionate about what they do and loved every minute of it. That kind of energy rubs off onto the crowd who give that love back twice as hard.
For fans of alt rock, pop punk and emo, I implore you to go and check out this band's amazing releases, and keep your eye out for what they have in store for us next. Although they are in their early days as a group, I know that their passion and talent will take them far. I’m excited to see where Hell Hotel will be performing next, and whether we will see them at some of the iconic alternative music festivals next summer.
You can listen to ‘Smile.’ And ‘Jennifer’s Body.’ On Spotify, and find them on Youtube to see their new music videos.
