LIVE FROM THE PIT: Ho99o9 and N8noface

Having been around for over a decade, HO99O9 have been hailed as one of the best punk rap duos of a generation. Founded in New Jersey by theOGM and Eaddy, they have made waves on the music scene and are a musical force to be reckoned with. After three full length albums and countless EP’s, this now LA based band have certainly made a name for themselves for making more than just a bit of noise. 

Having not stepped on UK shores since 2022, this tour to celebrate their 2025 release Tomorrow We Escape had a sense of anticipation surrounding it, with many fans eager to see them grace a Southampton stage for the first time and unleash their electronic punk riffs on the audience.  

Opening the show first however was N8NOFACE from Arizona. Having created music for as long as he can remember, and creating it as DIY as he possibly can, N8NOFACE is a name you may not initially know, but you certainly would not forget. His music on the surface is synth punk, however it is much more than that. It is chiptune, glitchy, lo-fi ranting whilst moshing onstage, and getting lost in the music. 

After touring with LIMP BIZKIT on their Loserville tour, he has created a frenzy of fans and engaged the audience from the first beat until the last. Drawing inspirations from his life across Tucson and Long Beach, his storytelling through short, repetitive songs touch on themes from romance to substances and everything in between. However unique in performance style N8NOFACE may be, he most certainly had the audience entranced and hooked until the closing note. 

It was not long before the powerhouses that are HO99O9 stormed onto the stage with enough energy to wake the dead. It was not hard to see from their stage presence and performance that inspiration has come from the likes of ROB ZOMBIE and the PRODIGY’s Keith Flint, with masks, stand out clothing, and lighting that flashes and draws you in in an almost theatrical nature. With only drums, pads, and vocals, you would have thought there was a band of ten on the stage with the noise that was being created. 

The songs seem to be made for the stage, with energy and tag team vocals that help make the songs come alive. From loud drums, power vocals and electronic beats, no song is left unsung by the crowd. Highlights throughout the night included The Dope Dealerz, and Sub-zero, whilst it was also brilliant to see nods to their latest release such as Escape and LA Riots alongside older hits to showcase that the talent on stage is only getting better. With nods to other songs such as FRANK SINATRA’s My Way nestled amongst the chaos, it allowed light moments of juxtaposition that allowed both Eaddy and theOMG to dance on stage and show even more of their huge personalities.

From an audience perspective, from the moment the pit opened up, the whole room started moving. Whether you wanted to be involved or not, the movement left you feeling united with everyone else in the room, and towards the end of the show, the band jumped into the audience, closing the gap between performer and fan to create something truly magical and frankly chaotic and slightly dangerous in the best way. 

HO99O9 are a band that has a stage presence like no other. From the opening song to the closing one, this tour not only celebrates their new album, but pays honour to the previous ones too. They are a band that have been ferociously making waves and will continue to do so with their superhuman energy and their music that incites emotions, and excitement. Hectic? Yes. Iconic? Absolutely. 

Words and photos: Laura Davies