Caitlin Gig Reviews, Music News

GIG REVIEW – SPEAK, BROTHER – BIRMINGHAM 15/04/18

Embarking on the final date of their album launch tour, indie folk band Speak, Brother have made the last stop near their local area of Birmingham.

Hunger Moon (6.5) opened the show with intense vocal and atmospheric sound. The thing is about Hunger Moon is that in terms of vocal and musical performance, they are almost there, but for stage presence, more needs to be done. Granted, these isn’t a large range of movement that can be done during a heartfelt slow indie ballad, but perhaps the ‘first support jitters’ caused a sense of nervousness among the duo.

Often shows may have little minor issues such as supports quickly pulling out and being covered for a show, often without an announcement, these are largely unnoticed. Fill-in singer/songwriter Joe Dolman(8) smoothly took this place tonight on short notice, still bringing out a high quality performance despite the lack of preparation. Constructing an entertaining balanced set of quick and slower tracks (with the odd bit of on-stage comedy), his set was honestly quite enjoyable and definitely a good fit for the shows lineup.

Relatively well known around Birmingham, Speak, Brother (9) had a large turnout for their close to home show. Having formerly played the Hare And Hounds In November 2017, this atmosphere is nothing new to the indie-folk quintet. It’s almost magnificent how Speak, Brother can transform a small venue sound into something amplified to a greater extent. Both the bursting, powerful choruses of ‘Magnificent’ to the overall drawn out slower collective feel of ‘Slow To Now’, while only opening the show, saw a lovely start to the set.

Being an album release show, it’s inevitable there will be some newer tracks performed, with impactful tracks such as ‘Empire’ and ‘When We Were Young’ receiving elaborate, detailed backstories behind them. Evolving from last performance, vocalist James Herring has improved between song conversations compared to the slightly awkward tuning waits in the prior tour. While this did perhaps ramble a little through the set, it encapsulates just how personal and intricate each track can be, with ‘Empire’ appearing most personal through each member’s performance as well. Bands that can recreate a distinct, almost intricate sound live is hard to come by. Being joined by guest vocalist Kirstie Smith for ‘Father’, the same vulnerable, atmospheric flow of the original recording created beautifully sincere ballad and making a standout performance mid-way in the set.

Of course, anyone who has seen Speak, Brother will know they enjoy involving their audience, getting them to sing along and dance to varying tracks, even altering the setlist for a request of ‘Lions Roar’. There’s no doubt the band can build up tracks in their recorded music, but the inclusion of willing audience members during ‘He’ll Fight’ creates a more ethereal atmosphere, a quality the group base their music on. Even adding a dance competition to their jokey, fun cover of Rusted Root’s ‘Send Me On My Way’ fought its way through to close the show in a different enjoyable fashion.

Speak, Brother are evolving as a band constantly, a difference clearly noticeable between live shows as well as recorded music. A refreshing change for a Sunday night is what can be said about this show, a very lovely refreshing change.

Caitlin Gig Reviews, Music News

GIG REVIEW – FALL OUT BOY – BIRMINGHAM 27/03/18

Opening night of the UK/EU M A N I A Tour is set to go off with a bang, with an almost sold out arena and excitement building up for days.

Against the Current (7) are frequently placed as supports for larger bands in the UK, touring with the likes of All Time Low and Good Charlotte in the past. Therefore, supporting Fall Out boy in the same arena as they supported All Time Low in two years ago should be no big issue. Yet, it kind of was. No doubt, Against the Current started well. Chrissy Costanza (Vocals) dancing around the stage with the energy a smaller band should have with such a big stage/crowd. Musically, all seemed great, apart from the extremely loud bass which did hinder the ability to hear anything else, probably through no fault of theirs. However, playing two new songs, one of which was a lot slower, the audience didn’t really know how to react. Even more well-known tracks ‘Gravity’ or ‘Running with The Wild Things’ didn’t create any energetic reciprocity from the audience, making the band seem rather small and swallowed by the large front they were tasked with performing to. Maybe it was just first night fears, but overall, they did a good job.

With an almost sold out arena, the first night of Fall Out Boy’s (9) UK ‘M A N I A  Tour’ has officially kicked off at full speed. Opening with the fire packed (literally) track ‘The Phoenix’, the lit-up room was instantaneously brought to life, making full use of the stage with Pete Wentz(Bass/vocals) and Patrick Stump (Vocals/guitar) running down the centre stage isle to really blow out their first track. Being the ‘M A N I A Tour’, there must be some new tracks from their latest album. Seeing ‘Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea’ and ‘Hold Me Tight or Don’t’ was also received well throughout the set. Occasionally, the question of bands being able to affect an entire arena through stripped back tracks is debated, it either works well, or it doesn’t. This was one that went very well. ‘Save Rock and Roll’ saw not only Stump’s piano and vocal skills come into play, but their ability to create such a powerful atmosphere across the arena. Even through the extremely stripped back solo piano version of ‘Young and Menace’, the dramatic singularity sent a real wave across the arena and everyone in it.

It’s no doubt that over the last few years, Fall Out Boy have truly upped their game in terms of stage sets, and with their new layout, they really have risen above all. Of course, as you make your way to the top, you may fall down.About to embark on the biggest stage reveal of the set yet, a rising stage platform, Andy Hurley (Drums) accidentally fell off the stage. Pulling through however, the classic drum solo carried on in a professional way – with the platform eventually working again. Incorporating two rising platforms in the central arena, crowds saw the band being lifted many metres high to play favourites such as ‘Dance, Dance,’ and ‘Wilson (Expensive Mistakes). Even visually, the large screens dominating behind the main stage and around the lifted platforms gave audiences a more visual version of tracks, with ‘I Don’t Care’ hosting hundreds of middle finger emoji’s and gifs, ‘Champion’ bringing a touching Princess Diana tribute and ‘Uma Thurman’, unsurprisingly, showing clips of Uma Thurman in her respective feature film roles.

Fall Out Boy fans came to see a good show, and they got just that if not more. Not only does the bands performance, visuals and reference to llamas stand out, but also the work of dedicated fans along the side. With dedicated fans creating the ‘M A N I A Project’, handing out and holding purple slips to their phone lights during ‘Champion’, the respective community of the fans was truly recognisable. Another stand out show with many more to come through this tour.

Caitlin Gig Reviews, Music News

GIG REVIEW – MILESTONES – BIRMINGHAM 17/03/18

The British pop-rock crossover genre is slowly becoming less known amongst the modern scene. Shows are getting smaller, as are audiences. Yet even the snow and cold can’t keep some fans from rushing to see their favourite bands, such as Milestones playing Birmingham’s The Asylum 2.

Known relatively well in the Birmingham pop-punk scene, local rockers You Know The Drill were billed as the starters for the night. Be it the misery of the weather or the lack of an audience, they started with a slightly lacklustre performance. Yet, from midway of their second track, the true pop-punk energised style of the collective we know was unleashed. Of course, with one EP and another due to come, the performance of unreleased track ‘No Ambition’ held up well both on stage and through those listening. You Know The Drill played a good lengthy support set and even though they did miss out their much loved Taylor Swift cover, still gave a fun and lively performance.

Better Days were up next, bursting through with tracks from their previous release. While it took a while for fans to get into the music, lead vocalist/guitarist Graeme Costello managed to forward a spark to the audience with their plethora of enjoyable tracks. Stage presence also kicked up well, despite a few almost disastrous collisions amongst members! Following a few issues of a lost bass, the band didn’t actually have too many issues performance wise. Filling the accidental tuning issues with improvised stage banter, the set did appear a little unplanned, however, this didn’t set the 4-piece back, if anything, highlighted their ability to add a few lighthearted touches to their set. These days, Pop-punk is often referred to as a ‘dying genre’, but Better Days helped prove there is still a collective presence out there.

Midway through their headliner, Milestones left no room for errors. Yes, they may not be the most well known band in the scene, but with such lively, excellent performances, they’re on the way for certain. Opening with ‘This Is My Life’, the band managed to kick off the show with a slower track, rather unusual but working in their favour. Milestones definitely bring back a reminiscence of the early eras of British rock bands You Me At Six and Mallory Knox. Yet through their early 2006 pop-rock style track ‘Bittersweetheart’, their dedicated ecstatic performance came through strongly. In some respects, it’s understandable that the band had more fire and vibrancy during their newer tracks. Nevertheless, older fan favourites such as ‘Call Me Disaster’ still emerged through the set and weren’t tossed aside, still keeping up a strong energy. Even the slowest of tracks ‘Shot In The Dark’ still has an unmistakable charm about it, being stripped back but still having a slower, well reformed energy.

‘Red Lights’ isn’t just an album of fast paced pop-rock angst, but also features heartfelt ballads that come through just as strongly live as they do on recording. Emotion throughout the setlist was never diminished, not once. Stripped back melodies of ‘Hold On’ sent waves through the room, whereas even the slowed down beginning of single ‘Paranoid’ added a different interpretation to the albums tracks. More importantly, the emotional connection, especially between vocalist Matt Clarke and the audience was recognised. Between songs, there was a slightly awkward atmosphere, but this was quickly made up for between songs with everyone getting deep into the music of each track and the band jumping endlessly around the stage and onto the barriers.

Of course, with any crowd in Birmingham, one ending track is never quite enough. Finishing with their hopeful ballad ‘Against The World’ saw a collection of fans come together in a lovely singalong. Yet, despite ending on a beautiful track, in hindsight, Milestones probably knew a demand for an encore was coming. Unexpected and unplanned, demands from the audience led the band to perform an old rendition of ‘Hindsight’, not quite as polished as the other tracks, but in their defence it wasn’t planned. If anything, it formed quite an entertaining performance that didn’t quite go horribly wrong, but certainly was a fun finale either way.

Milestones know how to perform and connect with their audiences. Between songs, they do lack a little but this is easily made up with their connectivity with the audience throughout their tracks. Definitely go catch Milestones at a show near you, you’ll thank us later.

Gig rating: 4/5

Caitlin Gig Reviews, Music News

GIG REVIEW – DREAM STATE – BIRMINGHAM 11/02/18

Local Birmingham openers Mindstep were first on the bill. Mindstep are your average openers as shown by most of their performance. Yes, their vibrancy was average (excluding their amazing energy filled drummer – shoutout to them for lifting the set) but otherwise it was a lacked any audience-band reciprocity and was overall a little…dull. That’s not to say all of it was. Faster dance style tracks such as Peach lifted the set from time to time, but unfortunately the performance was brought down by a lack of stage presence from their main vocalist. A good voice, no doubt, yet it almost seemed as if they were afraid on that stage, whether it was a bad night or a bout of stage fright, Mindstep had their time and took it to a reasonable extent.

Next on the local support roster was pop-rock band Layover. With a clear definition between their old and upcoming material, it’s a clear factor of which ones the band prefer. While older tracks such as ‘Stage Fright’ had their moment, it was their upcoming unreleased material that truly stole the stage for Layover. A true overflow of emotion brought some of these fluctuating newer songs to life, and it’s something we can hopefully look out for in their upcoming studio recordings too.

Yet, if somehow you didn’t notice the bands before, you certainly did now. As Chapter And Verse flew through their set, with impeccably impressive vocal harmonies, insane stage presence and exuberant tracks to match, it’s clearly portrayed as to why they were chosen to support the full length of the tour. It’s rare to see bands consistently perform with vivacious power while including three part harmonies side by side, but through every track, be it ‘Slaves’ or even newer track ‘Magazines’, Chapter and Verse were there to get your attention, and that they did excellently.

Headliners Dream State are rising through in the world of rock, maybe not enough to sell out massive rooms, but enough to have a great performance and fan base to match. Dream State do not have the largest catalogue of material to hand, with one EP (Consequences) and two singles, meaning their set was a little shorter than one may hope, however, perhaps it was their insane performance from their opener ‘Burden’ to their ending track ‘Rebuild, Recreate’ that made time fly within the venue.

Interestingly though, it wasn’t just an average band, barrier, audience show. In a true Dream State fashion, vocalist CJ took off from the stage to sing fan favourites such as ‘White Lies’ amongst the crowd and in the pit, with some of the other band members joining along from time to time. It’s one thing to perform and sing to a few on the front row, but when you get fully integrated, singing their finale Rebuild, Recreate’ on the shoulders of a friendly mosher, you know you have a band who are there for enjoyment. This radiated throughout their set, and even though the set was a little short, there were more than enough highlights to fulfil the crowd, and either way, this is definitely NOT the last we will be seeing of Dream State.

Gig rating: 4.5/5

Caitlin Gig Reviews

GIG REVIEW – FIRE RED EMPRESS – WOLVERHAMPTON 20/01/18

Severn were first up and while you could tell it was their second ever show, they didn’t do as badly as one would have expected. Giving a few little awkward quirks such as ‘track 6’ and stumbling trying to be a frontman, the band did give it what they had and took advantage of their opportunity.

Scattering Ashes took their stage and held it…to an extent. As for many of the bands on this stage tonight, movement and energy did lack for a large majority of the night. Scattering Ashes were more polished than the band prior to them and helped get the audience a bit more intrigued.

Netherhall, like Fire Red Empress, had the advantage of playing a few weeks prior to this show on the same stage to a similar crowd. However, being a member down meant they had to perform an entirely instrumental set for their slot. The technicality and higher energy of Netherhall helped bring a more interesting side to an instrumental performance, giving it a further push and really making use of the creative technicality all three members use for their individual instruments. Yet, the worry with instrumentals is that sometimes they can drag on which sadly did seem to be the case at times in their set. Having to go completely instrumental which may not be instantly known is hard, so props to Netherhall for executing it well!

On the other hand, headliners Fire Red Empress took the stage with monumental exuberance, playing their full debut ‘Black Morphine’. Taking advantage of their recent set just a few months previous at Midlands Metal Crusade, the band clearly knew the stage and their audience well. While their set was longer than they may be used to, the band didn’t let that stop them as they threw 100% of their energy into killer tracks such as ‘Giants’ and ‘Dead Nature’.

Even on the slower side of things with ‘The Little Death’ there was still a full flow of eccentric energy and talent coming through. However, a lot of the songs sounded similar to their recordings, which isn’t an issue, but perhaps a little twist to some of the tracks could have embraced a more changeable side of the band and open them up to new stage ideas. Fire Red Empress are no strangers to playing Wolverhampton, and this was clear tonight. Make sure to stay tuned for our interview later this week!

Rating: 3/5

Caitlin Gig Reviews

GIG REVIEW – PARAMORE – BIRMINGHAM 14/01/18

Paramore have shown a reinvention of themselves over the last year with the release of their 5th studio album ‘After Laughter’. Coming back to the UK on Tour Three, we went to check out how Paramore are living up to their new style.

For the supports, Mewithoutyou, the lasting impression they should have left sadly lacked. It appeared that for most of the set the drummer had more stage presence than the rest of the band themselves. While lead vocalist Aaron Weiss had some energy during some aspects of their set, the overall lack of energy and stage presence from the majority of the band sadly did bring their set down.

As expected, Paramore shot the start of their show through the roof with their hit single ‘Hard Times’, interestingly creating a crossover of Blondie’s ‘Heart Of Glass’ at the same time showing their impeccable ability to bring something new to their songs at any given time. Even pre-After Laughter tracks were given a little revamp with ‘Ignorance’ being sung partially through a black and white striped megaphone which actually made the song sound more authentic than originally.

Of course, one thing is clear through the newly inspired Paramore, they certainly love ‘After Laughter’ and rightly they should. Even mellower tracks such as ‘Forgivness’ and ‘Fake Happy’ were filled with a sense of ecstatic happiness, a sign they truly enjoyed their performance. Little surprises such as the live debut of ‘Pool’, singing older songs to other band members in ‘Hate To See Your Heart Break’ and a very cute dance from Hayley and drummer Zac Farro to Halfnoise’s (Zac Farro) ‘French Class’.

Another impressive factor of the show wasn’t just the groovy style of older hits such as ‘Ain’t It Fun’ and ‘Grow Up’, but also the stylistic approach to the visual aspects of the show. While some may see the band as having a more basic setup, their colourful lighting rig and big side screens helped amplify the resonating colourful vibe the band brought. Interestingly, through the newer tracks such as ‘Caught In The Middle’, the live filmed screens took an 80’s stylistic twist with colourful effects and filters to add a subtle stylistic choice to their show.

Yet not only have the band grown musically, but mentally over the years. While their new album ‘After Laughter’ shows a musical transformation, before the bands most popular track ‘Misery Business’, front woman Hayley Williams gave an apologetic notion, explaining that they aren’t the same band they were in 2007. Despite their less positive attitude to the track, the band took full advantage of its popularity, picking two fans to join them onstage to help finish the angst filled belter.

Even so, it seems that there are things in Paramore shows that do go unplanned. Be it Mewithoutyou’s vocalist Aaron giving a rather random massage to Taylor York in No Friend to Hayley Falling over Taylor during ‘Misery Business’, leading Taylor to go on an energetic fuelled frenzy around the stage after losing his place in the track.

Paramore may have grown up over the years, but the same energetic stance in their music still shines through, if not even further at this point.

Gig rating: 5/5

©Euphoriaofbreakdown

Caitlin Gig Reviews

GIG REVIEW – YOU KNOW THE DRILL – BIRMINGHAM 31/10/17

 

Playing a special themed set in Birmingham’s The Sunflower Lounge were local pop-punk band You Know The Drill and their friends in Northshore and All The Rest. 

First up performing as ‘naughty noughties’ were pop-rock newcomers Northshore. With half of the band bringing their Halloween spirit coming as Mario and Luigi, they quickly understood the issues of playing in a costume. However, this wasn’t a major issue as Northshore brought their own style to well known hits such as Paramore’s ‘Misery Business’ and My Chemical Romance’s ‘I’m Not Okay’ as well as some of their own. Northshore definitely know how to play a gig, and even with limited stage space, brought the energy further into their playing to make up for their lack of space.


Next up on the Halloween themed show were Coventry rockers All The Rest in the form of pop-punk legends Blink 182. While All The Rest played some well known hits and had a clear audience connection, energy lacked and the performance sadly seemed a little off in terms of playing. The energy of the set sadly didn’t match but they did have their standout set moments such as their version of ‘All The small Things’ which had the highest energy and brought the set up.


‘Pop Divas’ You Know The Drill are the final headliners to the stage, arriving as their terrifying personas Of Santa, Ali G, a lawyer/barman and Andy Murray. It’s safe to say that You Know The Drill brought out their inner divas from the start, bringing a sassy energetic kick to hits such as Avril Lavigne’s ‘Girlfriend’ and Taylor Swifts’ ‘We Are Never Getting Back Together’. Even through their own tracks such as ‘411’ the diva fulled energy never halted.


Even with a smaller stage, You Know The drill used all the space they could get, moving around the space and using it it their advantage. The bands connection and involvement with the audience was clearly present, joking around (with literal jokes) and poking fun at their other friends in Northshore as well as their own band mates. Even with small tech issues such as Luke’s (Guitar) wireless running out of battery leaving the rest to improvise.


For a Halloween cover show, there was certainly a high energy and some pretty serious band covers going on. With costumes, a blow up ghost and some inner divas, this was definitely a good Halloween show.

Rating: 4/5

Caitlin Gig Reviews

GIG REVIEW – HOSTILE – WOLVERHAMPTON 21/10/17


Down at The Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton, we caught Influens, SID, Disarm Goliath, RAM and Hostile at their show on October 21st!

First on the bill for the night were heavy rock band Influens. It often seems that being the first support of the night can hinder a performance and sadly, Influens fell victim to this. While it was clear they were on time and played their tracks well musically, their stage presence lacked. Continue reading “GIG REVIEW – HOSTILE – WOLVERHAMPTON 21/10/17” →