Scouting For Girls + Mike Dignam + Frank Hamilton @ o2 Academy, 5th December 2015
Scouting For Girls returned in 2015 with new album Still Thinking About You. The million-selling trio also announced a headline UK tour throughout November and December, including an appearance at the o2 Academy. Still Thinking About You is the west London band’s first album of new material since 2012 and their first for new label East West. A return to the immaculate indie pop of their triple-platinum début album but with a fresh, more mature sound, for Still Thinking About You Scouting For Girls took a new approach to writing and recording. Brumlive photographer Chris Bowley captured the event for us and commented on the gig:
Scouting for Girls, what a lively bunch, with a multi skilled, talented lead singer and instrumentalist Roy Stride armed with a cracking smile, beaming full of energy and an ability to engage with the crowd at every request.
The support acts Frank Hamilton and Mike Dignam had a fantastic crowd to play for and put on great performances. Mike even commented “Birmingham, You are a rowdy bunch, Best so far, I’m not just saying that either”.Frank started us off with solo acoustic guitar and a clean crisp voice which always ticks my boxes, and as his tracks Flaw and Ceilings and Tiny Chemicals shows, this is definitely an act to watch.
Moving on to the second support act Mike Dignam solo electric guitar, opening up with How can I make you mine, Fight to Forgive and Addict, Mike seems a little nervous on stage with his head tilted to one side almost throughout, though he gave a solid performance. In between songs Mike gives us an insight to a few such as ”This one’s for the ones you love but p*ss you off” (track called Sweetheart). Mike’s Last song “Fight to Forgive” he dedicated to “all this war that’s going on, different reasons, whatever or whoever, Life is important.
Tonight the Scouting for Girls set opened with Bad Superman and an acoustic guitar bursting with energy, bouncing from one instrument to the next, with the vocals strong and clear.
Other than the music the most notable thing of the night was Gary and Lisa, WOW!! What a way to do this – just thank god she said yes. Roy: “Before we start I would like to introduce you to two of my friends Gary and Lisa. Everybody say Hi to Gary and Lisa, Gary wants to say a few words”, Gary starts “I just want to say Me and Lisa fell in love to the band’s first album and now I love Lisa she’s my soul mate and my best friend”, (Gary gets on one knee) “Lisa will you marry me” (Crowd Roars) Lisa responds – “YES!!” Roy hugs them – what a proposal and big congratulations Gary and Lisa. Roy commented “Gary didn’t know he was doing it on stage till 5 minutes before”, the band starts to play I Wish I Was James Bond and he carries on “Take your Time Gary, First album was 8 years ago”!
The last track of the night, really was a cracker and a great choice to finish, Yes, even better than the Home performance which was hard to have topped. She’s So Lovely left the crowd in high spirits.
These guys are a must see for any music fan, engaging from start to finish and they gave us an awesome performance.
Words and photographs: Chris Bowley