Thank the lawd it’s not snowing. Having had numerous wintertime gigs nobbled by the road-wrecking sky-dandruff several times before, I gladly get work out of the way and finally zip off to see one of rock’s best kept secrets: Clutch. The Maryland no-nonsense outfit are one of the select few bands working tirelessly for the […]
Tag Archives: review
Nile Rodgers and CHIC @ Arena Birmingham, 16 December 2018
Having sold more than 500 million records in his time, there are few musicians on the planet to have achieved quite as much as funk and soul superstar Nile Rodgers. From David Bowie to Madonna and Diana Ross to Lady Gaga, he has worked with some of the greatest artists of all time to churn […]
Madness @ Arena Birmingham, 15 December 2018
Formed in 1976 Madness have survived a break up, a change of direction and a Margaret Thatcher inspired sitcom written by Ben Elton. But the rock steadiest question around was would they be nutty enough to perform at the Birmingham Arena? Judging by the flurry of Fez hats and sea of parkas we must all […]
Mercury Rev @ Glee Club, 10 December 2018
Never has a venue and band been more perfectly suited than the Glee Club and Mercury Rev, particularly for this tour, which celebrates 20 years since the release of their seminal album ‘Deserter’s Songs’, with a stripped down ‘acoustic’ set featuring the album in full. I did wonder before the show, how they were going […]
Nightwish @ Arena Birmingham, 10th December 2018
Nightwish in Birmingham caused a flurry of excitement through the Birmingham Live team when the tour was announced. Could they be as good as promised? Our photographer Chris went to find out. The opening act tonight is Beast In Black. They formed 3 years ago and recently recruited Anton from Battle Beast. They have a […]
Razorlight @ o2 Institute, 10th December 2018
Opening the latest Razorlight tour at the O2 Institute in Birmingham on Monday evening were Fetiche, a French rock band who did a fantastic job warming up the ever-growing crowd in the venue’s main room. Energetic, engaging and over the top, the band were clearly gaining fans and head bobs as the performance continued. Perhaps […]
808 State and Lone @ O2 Institute 8th December, 2018
When I found out that Mancunian acid house pioneers and legends 808 State were touring for their 30th anniversary, I knew that this was one of those must see 2018 gigs and I wasn’t disappointed. Although advertised as an early curfew gig on the Institute website, doors didn’t actually open until the usual 7pm, this […]
Buffalo Tom @ o2 Institute, 6th December 2018
I first came across Buffalo Tom in something like 1991 when a friend with exceptional knowledge of the music scene presented me with a mixtape. Anyone out there remember those? They were the way that non-mainstream music was diseminanted amongst the hive mind of good taste. Those and John Peel. Well, amidst Mercury Rev, Pavement […]
Nathan Ball @ Hare and Hounds, 5th December 2018
Mixing elements of indie, surf rock, electronic and acoustic, singer songwriter Nathan Ball curates rich records for the longing soul. Balancing the mixture of sonic elements Ball pairs an atmospheric ethos with meditative lyrics, combining to yield a dreamscape that you get lost in for hours. On a rainy weekday evening Nathan Ball and band […]
Deacon Blue @ Symphony Hall, 4th December 2018
At the risk of making myself very unpopular, I have to present a review that contains many contradictions and criticisms. The thing is, Deacon Blue have a special place in my heart, but simultaneously irritate the pants off me; they’re like an old school friend or mad old uncle, that you love… but only in […]
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