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Hiss Golden Messenger is the moniker for MC Taylor's Americana folk band and he has chosen to embark on this tour as a solo artist, nothing but guitars and humour to entertain. From the outset he lays down his intent with an emotionally wrenching acapella number that encapsulates the audience drawing them forward into his world and it becomes apparent that this will be one helluva set. |
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It's always something special to see your childhood musical icons come across the pond to the UK, even more so when it's your hometown but I think tonight at Birmingham's iconic Institute building had that added magic, whether it be the tightness of the sound or how lead singer MacKenzie has evolved on stage, it's no doubt "Rock ’n’ Roll is alive and lives in Minneapolis" as the legendary New Power Generation wowed the crowds. |
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We are at that time where we are all being encouraged to tick one box or another. Where even if you do you may not get the result you hoped for… some things are not as advertised. Disappointment often follows. For a genuinely good evening out go and see Katherine Priddy play and if it happens to be a lovely intimate, warm, friendly venue like Kitchen Garden in King's Heath Birmingham then lucky you. |
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An evening with Vernor Winfield McBriare Smith IV you say? I’m there! Tonight sees Vernor (the lesser-spotted Mac DeMarco to you guys) sojourn to Birmingham for the 1st time since his Institute gig in 2015 to proffer his jizz-jazz wears to us Midlanders… |
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There is something totally rootsy about Tokio Myers. He’s appeared on large stages full of thousands of people, but you could just as easily imagine him busking alongside many of the talented musicians that line the streets & subways of central London. He’s classical, and yet urban all at once. He is the unexpected winner of 2017’s Britains Got Talent. But how so unexpected? Perhaps in the most part, due to how authentic he is as an artist - a self made musician and composer. Already forged from his own melting pot of rich experience - not that of any generic talent show format. |
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Tonight at the O2 Institute in Birmingham, the venue is hosting three separate events, so making sure you end up in the right room is essential. With six days remaining on their headline tour Brighton rockers YONAKA are set to perform to a sold out crowd here in Birmingham. |
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Whisper it but it's been over ten years since self titled first album of Vampire Weekend was released. An album, which quickly became the soundtrack to the final year of my university life. Much has changed since those heady days. Unaffected by the 2016 departure of Rostam Batmanglij (whose influence is still very much felt on newer tracks), Vampire Weekend have gone from NYC indie newcomers to seasoned mainstream live artists. |
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Becoming a parent seriously affected my ability to discover new music. The days of scouring Last.fm or some such to find “similar” artists to my ongoing predilections, became the nights of little sleep and my rest-addled brain took succour in the familiar, the easy. Them the breaks… plus, our babies were ace. No problem. |
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Australia seems to be putting most countries to shame when it comes to exporting quality bands. One of the many to come from the thriving psych scene is Pond. Tonight they were in Birmingham, a very long way from home. With them they brought the future Aussie stars Jade Imagine, for a night to remember. |
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A lot has changed in the 8 years since Friendly Fires last played Birmingham. When the band announced they were returning with new album 'Inflorescent', they owed the second city a long overdue visit. |
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It was now time for Dream State to take to the stage. CJ appears first from behind the curtain and before I knew it the rest of the band were on stage but I didn’t see them appear due to someone having a rather happy trigger finger on the smoke machine so it was near impossible to see them. |
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Ahead of the very welcome appearance at this impressive venue of one of pop music's biggest names, the main question on my mind - apart from what songs from the past 50-plus years might feature - was how many costume changes there would be. |
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Little Simz is a performer that is at the peak of her powers, her presence, sound and catalogue in British Rap music over the years has solidified her work as truly one of the greats. Mama Roux's is a very intimate venue designed perfectly for shows like what we had the joy of witnessing, pure energy, enthralling storytelling and a connection with the audience that was second to none. The lighting on the night very much complimented the mood. Performing a mixture of her album catalogue to date. |
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Marking his 40th anniversary, Gary Numan shows no sign of slowing down, putting his feet up or anything else you’d expect for someone who’s been in the business for so long. In fact, as he ages, he becomes more prolific, more influential. |
