The Hunna - Live Review

There’s a certain electricity when The Hunna hit the stage at O2 Academy Oxford. Maybe it’s the way the band throws themselves into every chorus, or maybe it’s the crowd: half nostalgia, half anticipation, all packed into one humid, echoing room. It had been almost two years since The Hunna had been to Oxford, but I was glad they were back. We caught they're last show here in Oxford back in 2023 and couldn't wait to see them again.

Touring the 'blue transitions' EP that was released in November 2025, the boys were back and ready to rock. The energy’s still raw, the snare drums are apparently still at risk (more on that in a second), and the band’s affection for the venue is as loud as their amps.

Right from the start, the setlist felt like a carefully shuffled playlist. Old favorites rubbing shoulders with the new, each track carrying its own weather system. “The Storm” opened the night, and it wasn’t just a title; the room felt charged, like everyone was waiting for the first flash of lightning. By the second song, the snare drum gave out, and you could almost hear the collective grin. Because, let’s be real, a broken snare is a badge of honor at a Hunna show. It’s a sign things are getting loud, sweaty, and a little bit unpredictable.

“Babe, Can I Call?” still rings out as one of those tracks that manages to sound both massive and intimate, like a late-night phone call you never want to end. The band’s newer material, songs they admitted were only on their sixth or seventh live outing, already felt lived-in, the crowd singing along as if these tunes had been on repeat for years. There’s a certain texture to The Hunna’s sound these days: the guitars shimmer and snarl, the bass lines pulse with a kind of nervous energy, and the vocals ride the line between confessional and anthemic. It’s indie rock, sure, but with a pop sensibility that never feels forced.

“100” turned ten this year, and when they closed with one of their earliest tracks, it was like the years folded in on themselves. The crowd, some faces older, some brand new, moved as one, caught up in the kind of communal catharsis that only happens when a song hits the right chords with people.

There’s a warmth to The Hunna’s stage banter, too. “We love Oxford. Love the venue. Crazy venue,” they said, and it didn’t sound like empty flattery. Maybe it’s the acoustics, or maybe it’s just the way the band and the crowd seem to feed off each other, trading energy until the walls sweat.

I was glad they were back in town, and look forward to catching them again soon.

Before The Hunna took the stage, local favorites Kanadia set the tone with a set that was all muscle and melody. Their new album dropped in September, and you could tell they were glad to be back on home turf. Classic four-piece setup: guitar, bass, keys, drums, and a sound that leaned heavy and upbeat. “If you like us and you’re local, come back soon,” they said, and it felt less like a pitch and more like an invitation to join the family. The setlist was tight, the hooks sharp, and the crowd receptive.

Gumble Bee rounded out the night, adding a different flavor. Think of it as the palate cleanser before the main course. Sometimes, the best gigs are the ones where the support acts feel like old friends you just haven’t met yet. Jack Bennett of Lonely The Brave fame had the early punters feeling glad they'd got there early