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Salutations such as, ‘John Betjeman with a guitar...intense virtuosity,’ are not to be dismissed lightly and so first things first I put it to the sound engineer that a set list would come in handy. ‘Too right!’ He replies, sanguinely, ‘Have you got one?’ So, songs referenced are sometimes by context more than title. Welcome to a Nick Harper gig. |
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There is nothing better than good old knees up and a boogie-woogie on the piano to celebrate Christmas, 2009. Jools Holland recently brought his Rhythm and Blues orchestra to the Birmingham NIA and they didn't fail to disappoint. The show is well known to be an annual event amongst fans. Jools is renowned for his New Orleans bopping elegancy and I was excited to witness how the orchestra would collaborate along side him. |
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Let me just start by saying that if you ever get the chance to see Counting Crows live, no matter what the cost, do it. Anybody reading this hoping to see me write that it was ‘more like counting sheep’ will be disappointed. |
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Hype has been mounting for months around La Roux; the London duo whose infectious 80’s inspired synth-pop is hotly tipped to be the sound of 2009. With uber-catchy single ‘In for the Kill’ at an impressive number 2 in the singles chart and their highly anticipated debut album due for release at the end of the month, La Roux seem set to be bigger than lead singer Elly Jackson’s gravity defying quiff, so it was with a high level of anticipation that I made my way to see their headline slot on tonight’s NME tour. |
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Calvin Harris isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's fair to say he's a bit Marmite. There are those of us who think his style of electro funk with amp busting bass lines is as refreshing as a good glass of appeltiser. Whilst others have long since written him off as a naff prince of euro pop. I myself fall into the first category and defy anyone who cusses the man from Dumfries. |
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PJ Harvey and John Parish enter the stage right on time, accompanied by three further musicians, and launch into Black Hearted Love. This is the first track from their recent collaboration, A Woman A Man Walked By, and is probably the most commercially accessible song on the album. The live performance does it more than justice, with Harvey's unique vocal ability cutting through the Town Hall with such strength for one so delicate... |
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On arrival at the Glee Club to celebrate the launch of Jo Hamilton’s long-awaited album, ‘Gown’, I was presented with a glass of champagne set with a Hibiscus flower – a gorgeous touch that added to the fairytale ambience. This attention to detail was present in all aspects of the show; the stage had been taken over by long trails of ivy like an ancient overgrown courtyard, set against a backdrop of twinkling stars... |
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Hundred Reasons at The Academy? It’s 2003 all over again! Up first for me tonight was Birmingham’s very own Johnny Foreigner, and there was a fair amount of local support in the crowd for them, including a few mums and dads... |
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Love him or loathe him Justin Hawkins can’t be dismissed, and appearing at Birmingham's Academy 2 with a “Hello Wembley” was not entirely unexpected... |
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It is Sunday night and we are in the Barfly, officially Birmingham's coldest venue. No no, I kid you not. Following on from Friday night's shivery start to the weekend at the 444 Club up the road, Sunday night is positively arctic. Surely this means the only solution is dancing? En masse dancing? Possibly with synchronised arm-waving? No? I live in hope... |
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The Robin 2 has to be one of the hidden gems for live music in the Midlands. It’s easy to get to, nearby bus and metro station, and if you drive the car park is next door and free. For those who travel there is even a hotel within the venue and a room with breakfast starts at £35. Can it get any better? Well yes it can, you can add some cracking music, and the list of future gigs offers more than the usual tribute bands you’d expect from a venue like this... |
