Apr 17

Kate Nash + Brigette Aphrodite @ The Hare & Hounds, Birmingham - 17th April 2010

Kate Nash As angry clouds of volcanic ash sweep across the country from our dear friends in Iceland (presumably in part-payment for the £400 gazillion they owe us?), an (at times) equally angry Kate Nash is doing likewise, bringing her all new Riot Grrrrllllllllll act to the Hairy Hounds. I can’t believe it’s been three years since her debut but I guess, looking back, all the signs were there. Beneath the cutesy talky talk vocals there was plenty of bitterness...sorry bittahness (yep, must be all those lemon’s she’s been eating). Now she’s come out in praise of Le Tigre and Bikini Kill and, at times, tonight’s gig reminded me of those far off days when Riot Grrrl’s Voodoo Queens reigned supreme (was anyone else out there at their Edwards Gig in 1993? Oh. Just me then).


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Jul 06

The Ghost of a Thousand + The Computers + Sharks + Sienna @ The Rainbow, Digbeth - 6th July 2009

The Ghost Of A Thousand Perhaps a torrential downpour is not exactly what you would wish for on your way to a gig in a garden! Thankfully the garden in question belongs to The Rainbow pub in Digbeth with its marquee-style courtyard and I am here to see what I would term a line-up of bands with a neo-punk persuasion – not so much emulating the good old punk of yore but certainly a genre of music having its roots firmly planted there.


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Jul 02

Elliot Minor + Mission District @ Birmingham Academy 2 - 2nd July 2009

Elliot Minor Walking into tonight's gig I am certainly amazed by the amount of teenage girls wandering about, the average age of tonight's crowd seems to be around 15 years old and as I look around I see that many of them have parents with them standing around looking out of place...


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Jun 29

Steely Dan @ Birmingham NIA - 29th June 2009

Steely Dan 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 you are waiting for a but… well I guess there is: I am not convinced this genius translates especially well to the stage..


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Jun 28

Anastacia @ Birmingham NIA - 28th June 2009

Anastacia 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 stage had been brought forward making the NIA quite cosy, but even so there were empty seats.


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Jun 27

Lenny Kravitz + Anna F @ Wolverhampton Civic Hall - 27th June 2009

Lenny Kravitz Considering Lenny Kravitz seems to be out of favour with the British music industry at the moment and the price of the tickets seems expensive for the Civic Hall; there is a great turnout for the show. There is nearly an hour’s pause between the support act and the start of Kravitz’s performance, but when the show kicks off, the memory of waiting around is soon wiped. The darkness is lit up with an excessive display of strobes, whilst the audience erupt into cheers and shouts of Lenny. Then, the band launch into Freedom Train, with its pounding introduction, and you can tell, instantly, that Kravitz has collected together a fine ensemble of musicians. The appearance of Lenny Kravitz, sends the crowd into a frenzy, his vocals sounding fantastic and his charismatic presence oozes sexuality and musical prowess.


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Jun 25

Jeff Beck + Imelda May @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham - 25th June 2009

Jeff Beck Jeff Beck seems quite laid back and unassuming for a guitar god, but despite this and against the wealth of talent in his band, he cuts an imposing figure and you know that this is his show. Even the stage lay out seemed to emphasise this with bass drums and keyboards laid out in a rhythm section format very much to the right of the stage leaving a wide open space for the guitarist to exploit.


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Jun 07

The Joy Formidable + The Dukes Jetty @ Birmingham Academy 3 - 7th June 2009

The Joy Formidable 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...


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Jun 04

Blue October + The Parlotones @ Birmingham Academy 2 - 4th June 2009

Blue October Opening tonight's gig is South Africa's finest export, and probably the best dressed band around, The Parlotones. For those of you who have never heard of the them they are one of the biggest selling artists ever in their homeland, but thankfully they spend most of their time in England or on tour. As the band kick into the opening track it becomes evident that something's technically not quite right. 'Only Human' then 'Giant Mistake' are all radio friendly tracks.


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May 29

The Twang @ The Victoria, Birmingham - 29th May 2009

The Twang 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 many adverts and you're more likely to bump into a cameraman than a fellow gig-goer. Both were true here.


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May 28

White Rose Movement + Ulterior + Romance @ The Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath - 28th May 2009

White Rose Movement 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.


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May 23

Cobra Starship + Sing It Loud + Cash Cash + Mimi Saywer @ Birmingham Academy 2 - 23rd May 2009

Cobra Starship Tonight kicks off with Mimi Sawyer, an electro orientated indie pop rock band, girl fronted and pretty tame. These guys weren't so suited to the gig tonight, so although they played a solid set of whatever it is they called their genre it didn't go down so well. Partly the fault of the early start, but mostly due to the young fan base of the headliners.


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