Flat Iron, located in Greensboro, North Carolina, was truly fortunate to host H.R. (originally of legendary Bad Brains) on Saturday night, as he led The Human Rights Movement, with local support from Spirit of Hamlet.
Writing about a show like this, from my perspective, can be difficult because the point isn’t necessarily a surprise song or dramatic moment, it’s the context. H.R. isn’t just some artist that’s been around forever in a polished anniversary-tour sense. His name is steeped in decades of debate, influence, and stories.
Fans have their own version of what Bad Brains and H.R.’s music means to them, or to the bands they grew up on, as that influence continues to this day. In an intimate space like Flat Iron, that history doesn’t seem far away, it feels right there next to you.
What sets The Human Rights Movement apart is how it changes expectations. If you’re only looking for a hardcore revival, you may be missing the point. This project leans into groove and rhythm, delivering messages with a positivity that carves out its own unique space.
The evening’s setlist showcased a mix of songs like “Fool’s Gold,” “Attitude,” “Give Thanks,” “Leaving Babylon,” “Rasta,” and “I and I Survive,” to name a few. There was a collective catharsis created from their performance that made the music feel alive rather than simply being performed.
If modern journalism is obsessed with “authenticity,” this is the real version of it, H.R. is not flawless. He’s not perfectly rehearsed into safety but remains both sincere, unpredictable and authentic in the best of ways.
Flat Iron is the type of venue that turns that into a practical experience with these intimate shows. You show up, get up close, listen intently, and leave with a deeper understanding of why the music holds such significance. Experiencing H.R. in 2025 is like a reminder of the blueprint many bands have followed thanks to Bad Brains.
Few artists manage to blend something that feels like both confrontation and catharsis, violence and healing, fury and faith. H.R.’s spiritual side has always been a core part of his art and it continues to shine through beautifully.
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