What a week it has been in the UK. The sun was out and Nigel Farage gained seats in the local election, threatening to tighten up immigration and the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson retired after 27 years at the top of his game. You may wonder what all this have to do with Femi Kuti performing [...]
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James + Echo & The Bunnymen – Thursday 25th April, 2013
When I first heard of this line-up I thought it was a tad odd. Bands from two different eras and two different generations of fans – the mighty Echo and the Bunnymen – once princes of the indie alternative scene of the early and mid 80s. And then, James, the kings of 90s indie dance [...]
Frank Turner @ O2 Academy, Birmingham – Wednesday 24th April 2013
As I sat down to write this, Frank Turner was playing on BBC6Music. If you haven’t been living in a cave for the past month then you too have probably seen his face on the pages of music magazines, TV interviews with him or heard his new single being played on numerous radio stations. He’s [...]
Fossil Collective + Joe Banfi + Matt Sheehan @ Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath – Monday 22nd April 2013
Sometimes, just sometimes, an evening of live music can surpass whatever expectations you may have held previously. Elevating a listless Monday night from the doldrums of the working week and transforming it into an evening tinged with anticipation and revelation; realms usually only privy to that of the weekend. The superb Matt Sheehan kicks off [...]
Counting Crows @ O2 Academy, Birmingham – Friday 19th April 2013
It is odd that throughout 1993 and ’94 Counting Crows’ debut album was never off my stereo, only for circumstances to intervene, and even hearing Duritz’s voice would bring back painful memories… “3500 miles away and what would you change if you could?” still echoing in my ears. For almost fifteen years I chose not [...]
Interview – Dog Is Dead
The first mention I ever heard of Dog Is Dead, I was inclined to believe that my ubercultured friend was confused about the title of the popular book and theatre play The Curious Incident Of the Dog in the Nighttime. After a little clarification from her and some facepalming from me, I was introduced to [...]
Dog Is Dead – St Martin’s Church Square, Birmingham – Wednesday 17th April 2013
If ever there was an odd beginning to a Dog Is Dead show, it was possibly this (although please read the interview for an even stranger beginning to a gig…). The howling gales battered the mobile Deezer stage which was overshadowed by the gothic spire of the church. It all felt a little Bronte-like: incongruous [...]
Interview – Mallory Knox
Thanks to Sam and Mikey for taking the time out to talk to Birmingham Live. You started out on your tour with Don Broco last night, how did the first night go? M: It was crazy! We’ve played Norwich a few times before and it’s always been okay, but last night was the first time [...]
Interview – Your Demise
Tonight Your Demise are headlining Birmingham Academy 2 but before the inevitable carnage begins I sat down with Oz for a quick chat about the latest album The Golden Age, touring and their new ep Cold Chillin’. You’re a week into your headline tour, how have the shows been going so far? They’ve been going [...]
Ludovico Einaudi @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham – Sunday 14th April 2013
Music is a work of art when properly executed, as displayed tonight by Italian piano extraordinaire Ludovico Einaudi, performing his latest album “In a Time Lapse” in his sell out tour of the UK at Symphony Hall Birmingham. I first came across his work when he was promoting his album on the BBC Breakfast Show, [...]
