Archive | November, 2011

Words by Ceri Black 1997 has a lot to answer for; the death of Princess Diana, Tony Blair becoming Prime minister, and Hanson releasing ‘Mmmbop’. Now, after 5 years and three marriages, the Oklahoma trio are back touring the UK. Birmingham Review went to the HMV Institute to see how they’ve grown. I’ll admit, I […]

Words by Robert Kornreich Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. The dance. The digital music. The lighting, video, graphics, all just… I’m sorry to sound gushy but while I watched ACE’s new production I thought: this is not happening; bodies can’t do this. But they did. OK, so what’s it all about? I’ve seen Gail Parmel’s amalgamation of […]

There are some words you dread to write; ‘apocalypse’, ‘famine’, ‘spending the day with Keith Allen’, and some you never thought you’d have to again. So here goes, deep breath. Hanson are back. Playing in Birmingham, on Nov 27th, at the HMV Institute. Step aside Aide you might get hurt. To be fair, the Oklahoma […]

Words by Ceri Black Washington’s Death Cab for Cutie are veterans of the indie-pop scene, having released their first album – ‘Something About Airplanes’ in 1998 and reaching the US number one spot with ‘Narrow Stairs’ in 2008. Tonight the Birmingham Ballroom was their host. After being rebranded and unveiled earlier this year, the BBallroom […]

‘Ice looks at spirit, animism and the spark from within, exploring the moment when we cross over and become something else. Do we lose ourselves? Or do we still believe we’re alive?’ And if you’ll all join me for the chorus… ‘WHAT????’ The above confused purple is how the MAC website sells ICE, the latest […]