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Three months, 150 odd miles and around 9950 people separate the last time I saw Doll and the Kicks at the Liverpool Echo Arena from tonight's' outing at the Hare and Hounds It may seem weird but having seen Doll and the Kicks perform probably twenty times as both Morrissey's recent tours descended into farce, illness and well aimed pint glasses, I may have only seen them properly for the first time tonight. |
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Tonight I’m at the Hare & Hounds, in the smaller and rather more intimate Venue 2. I’m here to see the homecoming gig of Birmingham’s electro quartet Deluka. Having spent the last 3 months of the decade living and touring in the U.S., the band has gained a lot of mainstream radio air and also penned tracks for their debut album which will be released later this year. |
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After witnessing my first show at the new Academy 2 on Sunday, it was time to make my visit to the smaller Academy 3 next door to break that particular cherry with a double dose of brutal death metal. First impressions of this venue were favourable with no issues with bar service, and the venue itself was nice and small – sorry – intimate, much reminiscent of the Dale End Academy 2. |
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I’ve seen Doves a handful of times this year already. Always an event, I’ve watched them fight through a bout of flu that would have felled most bands and turn the electric proms into a Mancunian delight by combining with the London Bulgarian choir, and with Magazine as support. I’d still pay to see Jimi Goodwin in one of the choir outfits but tonight it’s the familiar jeans and shirt, not that you see much of him under low level lighting. |
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There's a definite air of expectation in the air throughout the LG Arena tonight as one of the world's most legendary bands returns to Birmingham as part of their Tour Of The Universe. Almost 14,000 people are here to see the mighty Depeche Mode and, if past performances are anything to go by, we're in for a special night. |
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Christmas has come early for those at the Academy 3 tonight as the Big Scary Monsters Christmas Tour stops off in Birmingham bringing with it Shoes and Socks Off and Kevin Devine both signed to the independent record label. Its stripped down, festive affair tonight with all the acts playing acoustically and with crackers being pulled and paper hats being worn with pride! |
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It is an awful night weather-wise, cold, lashing with rain and windy. The motorway is vile with idiots driving too fast and failing to realise they have indicators for a reason. I arrive at the NEC, or as it’s now known LG Arena to find the usual car-park closed. Great! I eventually find my way around to the railway station car-park and head to the venue. |
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The Assembly in Leamington Spa seems like an odd venue to stage a death metal gig, what with its Art Deco ballroom appearance (which the website reliably informs me was designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen during its renovation in 2006!). Having previously flicked through up and coming gigs, I can see no other killer death metal line-up like this evenings on the horizon and observing the security staff they certainly appear to be on edge! |
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I arrived to catch the last couple of tracks from hardcore/death metal/grind outfit Oceano, who hail from the city of Chicago, Illnois, USA. The Academy 2 is already full to the rafters so that I have to shuffle through the crowds to get a good view. It's pretty easy to see these guys though as they are charged full of energy and pogoing around... |
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Achingly cool French label Kitsuné hit the Rainbow with a double header of two of their latest discoveries ably supported by local dubby dance psych legends Old School Tie. What’s not to like eh? I suppose the gig could be on a tropical island populated by nymphomaniac porn stars and an endless supply of Weston’s Old Rosie but we can’t have everything can we? Squint a little and that forlorn looking plant in the corner of the room could almost be a palm tree and I reckon one of the security guards on the door would be up for a quick fumble if you fancied it… |
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The support for tonight's gig is Creature With The Atom Brain, a Belgian alternative rock band who apparently make fuzz inspired music with a “generous helping of weird”. From the last track, this description appears to hit the nail on the head so to speak, and I am disappointed not to have caught their whole set. However, after only minimal exposure to their music I intend to investigate the band further and they seem to be a sensible choice as the support for Dead Weather. |
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Walking through the doors of the Wulfrun I heard Malefice kick off with their opening song a little ahead of the scheduled start time posted on the internet. I was eager to catch the whole set as I had been mightily impressed with them at another gig earlier in the year…..and I am glad to say they did not disappoint this evening. |
