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The O2 is sold out for local boys, The Wonder Stuff tonight, here to perform their album “Never Loved Elvis” on the 20th Anniversary of its release (well June 2011 would be..) on the Polydor label. But first up are The Levellers in support mode. The show is almost a re-run of the March 26th gig, except the bands swap the headline. In truth, the show is practically a double headline… the term “support” is meaningless for this gig. |
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Take yourselves back to '92, when life, just maybe, was a little more carefree. We have all grown up since then, as part of life's journey - as have these guys - tonight in a rather chilly Christmassy Birmingham, we're here to tune into Evan Dando and The Lemonheads, playing 'It's A Shame About Ray' in its entirety. Plus lots more. |
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“Read all about it” Stephen Manderson is back like he never left. Promoting his highly successful album “At Your Inconvenience” after massive chart filler “Alive Til Im Dead” the professor was back and in his prime. Chart topping English rappers are no longer the rarity they once were. But Professor Green has got the talent and the commercial success to contend in the grime scene. |
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UK tour support band Straight Line Stitch announced that they were from America and were, ‘Gonna make some Fuckin’ Noyz!’ And, true to their word in a sort of, anesthetic-free hemorrhoid by-pass done by a mate’s mate he knows down the pub, that’s what they did. |
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Winter has truly got underway in Birmingham and promoters Moseley Folk present their monthly night The Lunar Society that brings singer songwriters to the cosy candlelit second room of the Hare and Hounds. |
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Is post hardcore (for the tidy purposes of this review let’s make the sweeping generalisation that all of tonight’s band were/are post hardcore) the new jazz? I only ask ‘cos there was plenty of head nodding and beard stroking going on this evening and, like jazz, the music itself has a similar level of complexity that you either get or...well...don’t. |
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It’s been a while since Enter Shikari were last in Birmingham and tonight’s sold out gig at the academy promises to be one hell of night. |
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Rainy Boy Sleep from Northern Ireland opens tonight’s proceedings to a more than half empty Symphony Hall, as the majority of the crowd prefer the piped music in the bar to the raw, soul-baring angst of the support act. However, despite the lack of numbers in the theatre, Stevie Martin (the boy behind the name) manages to captivate and recruit a whole new band of followers… and judging by the scrum for his handmade CD’s in the foyer afterwards, may follow in the successful footsteps of one of Cyndi’s previous support acts, Jessie J. |
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When most people think of Gomez they think bluesy mid-90s indie pop, a Mercury Prize, and a rapid decent into relative obscurity. But Gomez have been leading a secret life for the past decade or so, touring relentlessly in the States and building a sizeable and loyal following on the US gig circuit. So it must be a little strange for them to return having to play to a relatively cold crowd in the Library at HMV Institute. |
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A wet and rainy evening in Birmingham, dodging the showers to get to the Academy, as it’s time to be cheered up and blast the rain away, with a bit of rowdy back-to-basics rock n roll meets punk attitude with up and coming garage band The Jim Jones Revue. |
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Last time I saw Loudon Wainwright at Warwick Arts Centre some years ago, he was supported by daughter Martha Wainwright. She was very much learning her craft back then, but has since gone on to achieve fame and has really developed as an artist, recording some excellent material, particularly her album “I Know You’re Married, but I’ve Got Feelings Too”. Loudon is head of a great musical family, that includes son Rufus, of course, but tonight he is supported by another daughter – Lucy. |
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The early arrivals at a four band gig at the Asylum were treated to the latest instalment of Andrew Moscardo-Parker’s (Einstellung/Sally) sound art project Lash Frenzy. |
