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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Jan 19

John Mayer @ Wolverhampton Civic Hall - 19th January 2010

John Mayer Being a big John Mayer fan for a long time it was a great pleasure to be able to finally get to one of his gigs. The anticipation had set in earlier in the day and I was "up for it". Awesome seats, 3rd row middle balcony gave a great view of the stage. I've never sat down at a gig but I was liking the feeling of a Roman Emperor at the Colosseum (in my strange fantasy world). A great night was to be had.


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Nov 19

Kasabian @ The NIA, Birmingham - 19th November 2009

Kasabian There aren’t many superlatives that haven’t been used to describe Kasabian over the past year, especially when it comes to their live performance. In our last review of them at their De Montfort Hall gig we described them as “an enormous sound and euphoric uplifting performances combining the pomp of the Stone Roses and Primal Scream and the showmanship of Faithless” We were in for a treat.


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Aug 23

V Festival @ Weston Park Stafford - Sunday 23rd August 2009

V Festival 09 Leaning on the barrier at the front row of a Mcfly concert is not somewhere I ever pictured I would be, but there I was and as the trio ventured out to the tones of YMCA it was clear that I was going to enjoy it. For me Mcfly epitomise everything great about festivals. They are there to enjoy it and more to the point you’re gonna enjoy it. “Who got laid last night?” asked their bass player…


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Aug 22

V Festival @ Weston Park Stafford - Saturday 22nd August 2009

V Festival For me festivals fit into a number of brackets. You’ve got the raucous end of the spectrum with T in the Park – full of inebriated Scots having a ball and puking everywhere, through to the mystical Glastonbury – Hippies, circus acts and all that jazz. Weston Park's V, sits somewhere in the middle. If you had to pick one word to describe V it would be ‘nice’. The situ is great – smack bang in the middle of country, there’s a balanced mix of ‘beered-up’ revellers and families which makes for a great vibe and if the weathers good – as it was this weekend, and there’s a decent line-up (hey – it’s organised by Mr Branson – it’s gonna be a good line up!!) then you really are geared up for a ‘bostin’ weekend.


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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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May 11

Jersey Budd, Wonderlands Album Launch @ Leicester University UK - 11th May 2009

Jersey Budd Jersey Budd is fast becoming one of the favourite sons of all at Birmingham Live. Relatively unknown at the moment, it's only a matter of time before the musical World is like us rejoicing in the sound of Leicesters new found talent. Monday marked the day in which he released his debut album 'Wonderlands' and after a signing session at his local music store he rounded the day off nicely with a packed out gig at his local University in Leicester.


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Apr 28

A Camp + Leona Naess + Kristopher Astrom @ Birmingham Glee club - 28th April 2009

A Camp I like gigs at the Glee Club. It always seems to be an eclectic crowd in there, all of whom are particularly cordial, I’m sure radio 2 would be the preferred stereophonic station if polled and words like ‘twee’ and ‘quaint’ slip seamlessly into conversation. You get the picture. Delightful. And thus it was – amongst a lampshade festooned stage – net curtains and all – that the theatrical A Camp took to the stage.


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Apr 04

James Morrison + Vagabond + Karima Francis @ Birmingham Academy UK - 4th April 2009

James Morrison James’ opening gambit was ‘The Only Night’ the opening track of James’ 2nd album ‘Songs for You, Truths for Me’, a lively track which announced Morrison’s intent to the greatly receptive packed house. It was going to be a lively night. He then sauntered through his back catalogue of modern day classics such as ‘You Give Me Something’ and soon to be hits like ‘Nothing Ever Hurt Like You’. Halfway through the set he was joined on stage by local girl Deborah Brown for a rendition of ‘Broken Strings’, much to the delight of the Birmingham contingent. The Brummy lass did a more than adequate job of emulating Miss Furtado as the other part of the duet.


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Mar 14

John Legend + Laura Izibor @ Birmingham Academy - 14th March 2009

John Legend I can’t help but wonder what it’s like to go from playing to the Hollywood elite at the Oscars to a bunch of rowdy Brummies at the 02 Academy in Birmingham? My guess is that the latter is more enjoyable. There’s no question that John Legend is a music heavy-weight. He’s a platinum selling artist, weighed down with celebrity friends and a six time Grammy award winner. It’s no wonder the gig was a sell out, he could probably have packed out the NEC, but the choice of venue was a definite bonus for his fans who got to see the soul star in a more intimate location.


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Jan 29

Seasick Steve + Joe Gideon and the Shark @ Wolverhampton Civic Hall - 29th January 2009

Seasick Steve "I started out with nothing and I still got most of it left" is the self proclamation which has become Seasick Steve's catch phrase. It pretty much sums up everything about the bearded musical 'hobo'. What the man can do with a cardboard box guitar (the Diddly Bo) and a tin box drum simulator that he stamps on repeatedly (the Mississippi Drum Machine) borders on genius and the fact that he does it dressed in dungarees and a checked shirt makes him all the more endearing.


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Dec 17

The Bootleg Beatles @ Birmingham NIA - 17th December 2008

The Bootleg Beatles Back up in the 'cheap seats (as John would say)' with a drink or two inside you is the best place to be when The Bootleg Beatles take you on their magical journey through The Beatles' greatest hits. The illusion is so good... from the costumes, back drops, wigs, head bobs and bows the spectacle is quite something, these guys actually do resemble the fab four.


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