I am a big Steely Dan fan. I think Fagen and Becker are amongst the greatest songwriters of our generation, who are often overlooked and underrated. Their recorded work of the 1970’s is timeless, edgy, well-crafted and beautifully produced, the albums that followed that along with Fagen’s solo work is clever and polished. I suppose [...]
Tag Archives: Live Music
Anastacia @ Birmingham NIA – 28th June 2009
Entry to tonight’s gig was difficult, due to the box office staff trying to force me to have both a ticket and photo-pass (which I had to sign for). After some considerable explanation the photo-pass was taken back and I made my way to my seat, which was centre-stage and offering a superb view. The [...]
Fleet Foxes + The Clientele @ Wolverhampton Civic Hall – 25th June 09
A warm summer night in Wolverhampton. A sell out gig for one of the most exciting bands in the world at the moment and a night that I will remember for the rest of my days, for more reasons than one. I received the word I’d be reviewing the gig at around 5pm, hopped in [...]
The Saturdays + Jessie Malakouti @ Wolverhampton Civic Hall – 20th June 2009
You may have been mistaken that The Saturdays are just another boring girl pop group, with typical washboard stomachs, perfect hair, fabulous wardrobes and average singing voices. Well you would be wrong. Those girls proved at their performance in Wolverhampton that while they may have many of the qualities – they certainly did not have [...]
The Joy Formidable + The Dukes Jetty @ Birmingham Academy 3 – 7th June 2009
Unfortunately I arrived at the Birmingham’s Bar Academy too late for the full set of tonight’s first act, Sunset Cinema Club. It wouldn’t be fair to give an opinion on one and a half songs so I’d just say check their Myspace if Hardcore / Post Punk / Funk is your thing. A quick change [...]
The Twang @ The Victoria, Birmingham – 29th May 2009
A chance for The Twang to get closer to their hometown audience or a chance for a brand of cider to play marketing catch-up? I’m not much of a fan of the heavily-endorsed ‘secret gigs’ that have sprung up around the country over the past few years – the atmosphere is usually tempered by too [...]
White Rose Movement + Ulterior + Romance @ The Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath – 28th May 2009
White Rose Movement shot to the forefront of indie scene back in 2006 upon the release of their debut album, Kick. Since then, it’s all gone a little bit quiet. That’s not the only thing that’s quiet, only a handful of people arrive to catch the first support and I can’t help but think they [...]
Metronomy + Your Twenties @ Birmingham Academy 2 – 28th May 2009
There is one thing that puzzles about Metronomy, it’s one of those questions that doesn’t necessarily keep me awake at night but I would dearly love to know – Did Pip Payne ever pay back the £5000 to the Totnes car wrecker? The line up of Metronomy had a slight re-shuffle recently, long time friend [...]
Patrick Wolf + YACHT @ Birmingham Academy 2 – 25th May 2009
Touring forthcoming album See Mystery Lights, YACHT are an American performance duo who explain at length where Oregon is (it’s on the left, up a bit form California) and spend their set in full occupation of the stage, backed by an elaborate powerpoint. Tracks like The Afterlife and the increasingly frenetic It’s Coming To Get [...]
Jean Michel Jarre @ Birmingham NIA – 24th May 2009
I am about to write a review about a show where the lighting is as important as the tunes, and where none of the songs have any words. Wish me luck… I’ll happily admit that this isn’t the usual kid of gig that I go to, but as a child I would listen to Jean [...]
