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Over the past decade The Black Keys have been jamming their way through consistently applauded albums and a rigorous touring schedule seemingly ignoring any possibility of mainstream success. With an ever growing underground fanbase and continued critical acclaim, it was 2010's Brothers album which suddenly thrust them into the worldwide spotlight, winning, amongst others, three Grammy Awards. |
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The house lights go down, the very spectacular stage lights go up and the chants and cheers are almost deafening. Out come the pop punk 4 piece and start the set with their current single ‘Timebomb’. |
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Tonight is an early start by most gig standards, the first band, Triggerfinger, take to the stage at 7.10 and having never heard of them before, impress. A three piece who remind me of Screaming Blue Messiahs, they play hard and fast and despite being suited and booted certainly crank out some powerful stuff. |
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Tonight’s show is sold-out, no surprise really when the line-up consists of Four Year Strong, pop-punk heroes A Loss For Words and Don Bronco. On arrival to the venue I have a no crowd surfing flyer unceremoniously shoved into my hand and wondered if anyone would actually take any notice of it. |
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Pinning down the sound of M83 (named after a spiral galaxy, Messier 83) is not an easy task. Mostly electronic, Anthony Gonzalez’ influences range from the epicness of Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine to the soundscapes of Sigur Ros and the Cocteau Twins. And yet, Gonzalez’ first musical hero, Jean Michel Jarre, is still very much apparent. |
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Waiting in the day and recording at night, Christina Perri is the unlikely star to entertain the temple at the HMV institute tonight. The Philadelphian singer-songwriter shot to fame in 2010 with piano ballad “Jar Of Hearts.” Once used on “So You Think You Can Dance” it saw more than 100 000 downloads in just 2 weeks. |
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I never thought my first gig of 2012 would be a death metal show but I’m always open to new music so it was off to the Birmingham Academy to see The Black Dahlia Murder supported by Skeletonwitch and Fleshgod Apocalypse. |
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Blundering yet ever more confused in to the second decade of the third millennium we can, at least, allow ourselves a moment or two of sage reflection. |
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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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Tonight, out in a bitterly cold Birmingham, we should be in for a festive treat. In the lovely HMV Institute with a band who refuses to go away and have created their very own special independent path - Marillion as part of their handful of UK dates for their Christmas Tour 2011. |
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Another full venue marks the popularity of 29 year old Elliot Greaves, the rapper who couldn’t rap from Fulham was back with two sell out national tours and an arena tour next year. |
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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. |
