Binky Headlines at The Washington, Sheffield 22/08/2024

September 11 | Written By Phoebe Needham Chandler

 Headlining on August 22nd at The Washington, Sheffield, Doncaster-based alternative rock band Binky gave another unforgettable performance. Supported by Asboface and Numbered Days, whose fast-paced, hard-hitting songs got the crowd eager for more, Binky’s enigmatic stage presence beckoned an exhilarating audience response.

 Describing their pre-recorded music as a ‘systemwide shutdown and reboot’, Binky’s frontman Dan Guest makes sure to encompass this notion during live performances. Before opening with their energetic 2023 single ‘Happy Hour’, Guest announced ‘We’re Binky and we’re sh*t, it just gets worse from here’, followed by ‘it’s f*cking happy hour, init’. Instantly sparking the enthusiasm of dedicated fans and garnering the fascination of new listeners, Guest’s theatrical persona tantalises concertgoers with comical stage patter.

 The band experienced minor technical difficulties at the beginning of their set which were quickly resolved. As Guest’s microphone didn’t work for a brief amount of time, he seized the opportunity to shout ‘Happy Hour’s catchy lyrics whilst encouraging the audience’s involvement. The comedic, unserious themes in Binky’s music thrive alongside their impressive stage etiquette and professionalism.

 With a 45-minute setlist featuring tracks such as ‘Monkey-Shaped Boy’ and ‘Bring on the Wall’, Binky’s conversational lyrics combined with Guest’s clever stagecraft commands audience engagement. After discussing the weather in ‘Monkey-Shaped Boy’, ‘Bring on the Wall’s forceful deliverance involves Guest pointing at different audience members in a display of paranoia. At a small venue like The Washington, the limited amount of stage space often requires Guest to migrate into the audience; this never fails to make fans laugh as Guest dramatically gestures towards them.

 Binky’s songs are incredibly varied, as reflected in their setlist on the 22nd. ‘Hairy Humphrey’s light-hearted humour and ‘Brain Freeze’s slower pace fit nicely in between heavier, rebellious tracks like ‘Gas Yourself’ and ‘Happy Hour’. With music influenced by a broad number of genres such as reggae and metal, Binky’s lyrics maintain thematic consistency, always aiming to make crowds giggle. When performing ‘Gas Yourself’, Guest instructs the audience to ‘put your middle fingers in the air, I want you to flip me off’, hilariously urging listeners to join in. Binky’s genius, as demonstrated at The Washington, lies within the band’s ability to not take itself too seriously.

 After performing as a 4-piece for a while, guitarist Mitch Sylvester recently rejoined, with previous guitarist Tom Constantine switching to bass. Being their first concert as a 5-piece again, the excellent sound quality and smooth transitions were impressive to hear. The band performed ‘I Peer Pressured a Policeman into Smoking W*ed’ towards the end of the set, one of Binky’s most popular songs from their 2023 album ‘The Dog in Three’. Featuring a complex guitar solo and fast-paced drums, lead guitarist Joe Lee and drummer Josh Nice excelled in their ability to produce a crisp, invigorating sound.

 To finish off a spectacular set, Binky performed ‘I Never Did Anything Special’ which enjoyably flowed into their sing-along hit ‘Granddad’s Birthday Party’. Guest asked the audience ‘Has anyone got a granddad here?’ just before the whole room started boogying and belting out the lyrics. After bidding the audience goodnight with a ‘we’ve been Binky and you’ve been great’, woos echoed throughout the venue, and fans were left itching for more (and with a glimpse of hope that Binky will return to The Washington again someday).

 With Binky’s headlining performance at The Washington going down a treat, fans and new listeners can start looking forward to the band’s next Sheffield-based gig. Located at Hallamshire Hotel on November 2nd, Binky will be playing alongside local bands River Drive and Cherry Stone. As a band that truly emphasises the ‘alternative’ in alternative rock, Binky guarantees a unique, hilarious, unforgettable experience. 

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