Eighty Eight Miles – O2 Institute, Birmingham, 14th June 2025
You shouldn’t judge a band like Eighty Eight Miles by the music that is played in the interval because generally they are not responsible for it. But as soon as Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ starts playing and the audience noticeably perk up, I believe this is an intentional choice (as Eighty Eight Miles sometimes cover this song). Then the MOR playlist continues with Islands in the Stream, Don’t Stop Me Now, Like A
Prayer, Don’t You Want Me.. it’s like I’m in the Smooth Radio control room or a 1980’s nightclub. But the crowd love it and they continue to relive their school discos, even down to the young woman at the bar drinking too much and throwing up all over the floor.
The thing is I consider Eighty Eight Miles to be a contemporary indie band, not MOR.. maybe they
have one foot in the past, but essentially they are forward looking. Yet the atmosphere they build
before coming on stage reeks of nostalgia, which is weird because only half of the people in the
room are old enough to have lived through that era (I couldn’t work out whether parents brought
their kids, or the other way around). Thankfully when the band starts playing, with their new single
as the opening track, it is clear that Eighty Eight Miles is all about the now.. and the future, as their
performance is youthful and vibrant. This is lapped up by the sellout crowd who are energised
throughout the one hour set.
The band powers through their short list of single releases and also include a couple of new songs
that show they still have an ear for a great melody. Eighty Eight Miles has been around for a few
years but their actual output is pretty small; they either have a vault of songs ready to release, or
believe in quality over quantity.
It is clear, very quickly, that the overwhelming support from the crowd takes the band by surprise –
there is not a hint of arrogance from the ever humble Eighty Eight Miles. It is a beautiful time for a
band, when they find their people, and finally enjoy a feeling of justification; that the years of hard
times and bad gigs and imposter syndrome has finally paid off… you can just tell by the smiles
both on stage and in the room how much this means to them.
The musicianship and the way the songs are arranged maximise the songwriting skill, allowing for
impressive dynamics and melodies that are instant earworms. They have a knack for creating a
sound that is recognisably retro but never derivative. Part of this magic stems from lead vocalist,
Ellie, who sings like a beautiful mix of Edie Brickell and Suzi Quattro, moving easily from folk to
pop to rock to indie, sometimes within the same song.
Eighty Eight Miles do love throwing in a cheesy cover and tonight is no exemption. As if to convey
their feelings about how important this night is, they blast through “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”
– Ellie even sings the Bill Medley adlib ‘Hey baby!’. It is joyous, even if it starts to feel like I am at a
wedding or on a cruise ship. They make up for the cheese-fest by ending with their own excellent
‘Sexy Song’ which is a master stroke as the hookline is screamed out earnestly: “Tell me where we
go from here?” – the crowd’s answer is clear: “The toppermost of the poppermost!” I do wonder why they include covers in their sets, now they are a truly established band in their own right – it will be interesting to see if that continues as their success increases. The rapturous applause after ‘Sexy Song’ is a sign it isn’t too far away.
Eighty Eight Miles leave the stage to the sound of “God Only Knows” – a heartwarming tribute
(along with Ellie’s ‘Brian Wilson is a genius’ T-shirt) to the late, great Beach Boy who died this
week.
I first saw Eighty Eight Miles earlier this year supporting The Lottery Winners and they won over
many new fans during that set, including me. Every time they play they pick up more support and
it can’t be long before they break away from their indie roots to play to a larger audience. The band
are clearly touched by the support from the packed room tonight, as if they are finally beginning to
believe themselves that they are good enough to be hugely successful… as a fan, this is bleedin’
obvious already.
Eighty Eight Miles Setlist:
Always On the Run
Sophie
The Thought of Losing You
Cardigan
You Just Never…
Nothing (Live debut)
Fighter Not a Lover
Hi
Favourite Season
Diana
(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life (cover)
Encore:
Sexy Song
God Only Knows (The Beach Boys on PA as tribute to the late Brian Wilson)
Review – Alan Neilson
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