LIVE REVIEW: Whitney K, Hank Bee, Spider Noises @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle (19.09.25)

Image by Damian Robinson

Durham threepiece Spider Noises are on first tonight, their 30-minute set focusing on jazz infused textures and sounds. Led by an arpeggiated Gretsch guitar, the Spiders weave in and out of songs focusing on abstract subjects such as the stairs up to Newcastle’s Bridge Hotel as they blend moments of fine jazz drumming with thunderous bass patterns. Fine musicianship dominates a great set by the trio with Candy standing out as a highlight.

A quick turnaround provides Liverpool four piece Hank Bee the space, and time, to play a full 45-minutes in their role as the second/main support act. Using fuzzy guitars and a combination of lively Americana, the Bee’s land somewhere between the more distant moments of Best Coast and the delicacy of early Whiskeytown. I Don’t Ask For Much, Horner and This Time Around stand out in a set filled with great melodies and even better musical ideas.

Main act Whitney K close a fine night of music, once again, at the Lubber. Drawing heavily from recent album Bubble, Whitney’s (aka Konner Whitney) main strength is his ability to mix Loud Reed style lo-fi sounds with deliberate street slang spoken word. Playing as part of a fourpiece, Whitney’s ideas are pushed high into the mix as the collective fires off aggressive guitar work – a la The Replacements – whilst maintaining enough collective force to ground the live show into the heart of Konner’s work. They both rock and roll. The Ocean and Apocalypse Rock stand out in a show which demonstrates the cool aloof of Whitney K and moves their live experience towards elements of mid 90’s Lemonheads, complete with distant, yet close-by, lead singer/songwriter. Excellent.