The Gallery Archives - Page 8 of 12 -

March 12, 2017

THE GALLERY: Harmless Untruths of… Hoopla Blue, Mutes, Grain Death, Matters @ Blotto Studio 04.03.17

Ed’s note… On Saturday 4^th March, local label FOMA threw a party – a showcase of the Harmless Untruths… from some of their roster and beyond.

Headlining were Hoopla Blue, the ‘ridiculously gifted’ Birmingham band who will be opening for The Flaming Lips in August alongside Amber Run. Hoopla Blue have been on the tip of Rob Hadley’s tongue for many months now (Birmingham Review’s Head of Photography) and this was a good opportunity to see them in a label setting.

Plus we got to revisit Mutes, who we haven’t seen with a professional focus since the All Years Leaving Festival in 2015. Grain Death (…i’m thinking Witness?) and Matters (part Them Wolves, part Mayors of Toronto) were relatively new to us, although the latter had popped on our radar after seeing them at the third YR Welcome festival.

So off we went, on the rum hunt for hidden delights and Harmless Untruths… from FOMA. Aatish Ramchurn was the lone scout we sent on reconnaissance to the back streets of Digbeth, tracking down for Blotto Studio and some people making noise. His brief: ‘Write it from a photographer’s point of view’. Luckily he made it in, out and even through such an oxymoron instruction.

Check out his words and pics for THE GALLERY below, or click on the relevant links for the Full Flick of Pics.

Words & pics by Aatish Ramchurn

Sometimes the best experiences can come from venturing into the unknown, and this gig was definitely one of those times. Taking place at Blotto Studio in Digbeth, FOMA held a showcase for the bands on their label, with Hoopla Blue and Mutes.

Until this day I had no idea that a rehearsal space like Blotto Studio even existed. Trying to find it on Google street view was initially a bit confusing, as it appeared to point at what looked like a shed or a garage with no signage. I figured, whatever. Turn up, park outside, go to the ‘shed’ and see what happens.

I ring the doorbell. A guy opens the door and for some reason I’m thinking, ‘do I need a password to come in?’. I say “I’m from Birmingham Review… as a photographer”. A woman’s voice from round the corner says, “…Birmingham Review? Yeah, let him in. He’s on the list”

The guy advises me that I should still keep my coat when I go into the main room, and he was so right about that. It was just as cold as it was outside and I doubt many in there had taken their jacket off.

The venue itself was a warehouse type of place with a small raised stage at front – nicely lit up with warm tone of red, taking away the cold sensation. The crowd themselves were mainly young, hip and liberal, bar the odd older person. A nice and welcoming bunch.

First band on were Matters. An instrumental trio of guitar, synth, drums, and programming, with each track lasting about six minutes or so. Their sound did seem to set an overall tone that matched the atmosphere of Blotto – dark, underground, and yet pleasing at the same time. I was having some difficulty getting a good photo of one the band members due to her face being largely obscured by her Moog set up and having the main speaker stood next to her. Probably a rare instance where it was just easier getting a shot of the drummer, as I was able to get shots from the side of the stage.

Not knowing much about the bands that were playing that night, I thought Matters were setting the tone for what was about to come. Then Grain Death come on with the standard four guys, guitars, bass, and drums set up. Now I’m realising this is going to be a night of very different acts. Grain Death brought their indie noise pop sound to the stage with a lot of confidence, even after an awkward soundcheck.

Mutes, the first of FOMA’s acts, played with a lot energy – their fast paced, punk infused electric sound with the antics of their frontman providing some great images to capture. At this point, I realised I’ve taken way too many images – a freedom and problem with having too much free reign when shooting at small venues. So with Hoopla Blue, I decide to impose the three song rule on myself.

Overall, FOMA’s Harmless Untruths of… showcase was a lot of fun – reminiscent of hanging out at a squat party where everyone is chilled. And whilst the night did go on until late (as a squat party can do) after Hoopla Blue played I called it a night.

Harmless Untruths of… Hoopla Blue @ Blotto Studio 04.03.17 / Aatish Ramchurn

For more on Hoopla Blue, visit www.soundcloud.com/hooplablue

Harmless Untruths of… Mutes @ Blotto Studio 04.03.17 / Aatish Ramchurn

For more on Mutes, visit www.mutesuk.bandcamp.com

Harmless Untruths of… Grain Death @ Blotto Studio 04.03.17 / Aatish Ramchurn

For more on Grain Death, visit www.facebook.com/GrainDeath

Harmless Untruths of… Matters @ Blotto Studio 04.03.17 / Aatish Ramchurn

For more on Matters, visit www.soundcloud.com/mattersband

__________

For more from FOMA, visit www.wearefoma.bigcartel.com

For more from Blotto Studios, visit www.facebook.com/BlottoStudios

February 25, 2017

THE GALLERY: Rews @ The Flapper 15.02.17

Words by Ed King / Pics by Paul Reynolds

There’s an element of luck attached to most things in life: the lottery, love, moving next door to a Chihuahua stud farm (not always good luck). Then there’s endevour and hard graft.

Tonight has all three, as my somewhat petulant approach to language drags me halfway across Birmingham to argue adjectives… only to find Rews at the end of it. Theirs is the hard graft, which rains dividends on The Flapper crowd lucky enough to be here. To read Damien Russell’s BREVIEW, click here.

About a week after this gig Rews had a special announcement to make. We’d been tipped off about this during our interview (out later) and been given the clue ‘branding on stage’ before the show. Being a two piece there wasn’t much clutter – with a lone Marshall amp standing testament to a thinly veiled secret. By the end of the gig I’d smugly worked it out. Or at least I thought I had.

Turns out it’s not just free kit. Rews have been signed by Marshall Records – the legendary (not often you get to use that word and mean it) amp manufacturer who have been synonymous with interstellar rock acts since the 60’s.

“The deal with Marshall is focusing on releasing our debut album,” tells Collette Williams – the Animal/Ash Soan that makes up 50% of Rews, “which we are recording with producer Rob Cass between Abbey Road and Tileyard studios. We haven’t got a release date confirmed but it’s looking hopeful for autumn. Thank you to everyone for all of their support and to anyone who is just as excited as us.”

Marshall announced their new label in summer 2016, making Rews one of their first signings; the best metaphor I can land on is ‘crest of a wave’. Rews have the mustard to make it work too, and the thought of them releasing an album is… exciting times. But in the interim (or summer) my spidey sense says you’ll probably run into Rews somewhere surrounded by sheep.

Until then here’s some pics from Rews at The Flapper, with support from MUTT and Ember Weir – shot by Paul Reynolds for Birmingham Review.

Rews @ The Flapper 15.02.17 / Paul Reynolds

For more on Rews, visit www.rewsmusic1.wordpress.com

____________

MUTT – supporting Rews @ The Flapper 15.02.17 / Paul Reynolds

For more on MUTT, visit www.facebook.com/mutttheband

____________

Ember Weir – supporting Rews @ The Flapper 15.02.17 / Paul Reynolds

For more on Ember Weir, visit www.emberweir.bigcartel.com

____________

For more on Marshal Records, visit www.facebook.com/MarshallRecordLabel

For more from The Flapper, including full event listing and online ticket sales, visit www.theflapper.co.uk

For more from Birmingham promoters, visit www.birminghampromoters.com

January 23, 2017

THE GALLERY: The Pretty Reckless @ O2 Institute 20.01.17

Pics by Rob Hadley

On Friday 20^th January, The Pretty Reckless performed at the O2 Institute – as presented by SJM Concerts/Gig & Tours.

On a global tour promoting their third studio album, Who You Selling For – out through Razor & Tie Recordings from October last year, The Pretty Reckless were in Birmingham for one of a handful (one for each finger & thumb) of UK dates. Next stops: mainland Europe, Russia, South, Central and North America. We did say global.

Fronted by Taylor Momsen, with Jamie Perkins, Ben Phillips and Mark Damon having been ‘the band’ since their debut LP, The Pretty Reckless are vocally strong and obviously Rock. But with Kato Khandwala (Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Papa Roach, Blondie) as producer for their three studio albums, this is what you’d want and expect. Something the gig ticket buying public seems pretty (no pun) happy with too, as The Pretty Reckless sold out their entire UK tour with reassuringly green tinged ease. I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller…

Rob Haldey was at the O2 Institute for Birmingham Review – shooting an extended photo feature to go into THE GALLERY. See a selection of Rob’s shots below or click here for the full Flickr of Pics (or on the link above). There’s some on the Birmingham Review Instagram page too.

The Pretty Reckless @ O2 Institute 20.01.17 / Rob Hadley

Who You Selling For – the third studio album from The Pretty Reckless, is out now on Razor & Tie Recordings. For more on The Pretty Reckless, including full tour dates and online sales, visit www.theprettyreckless.com

For more from the O2 Institute, including full event listing and online ticket sales, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2institutebirmingham

______________

For more from Razor & Tie Recordings, visit www.razorandtie.com

For more from SJM Concerts / Gigs & Tours, visit www.gigsandtours.com

November 28, 2016

THE GALLERY: MCM Comic Con @ NEC 19-20.11.16

Words & pics by Michelle Martin

A favourite pastime to end an eventful year. It’s been a peculiar one.

I’ve once again donned a new cosplay for the weekend’s MCM Comic Con Birmingham – held at the NEC on 19^th and 20^th November. This time it’s a Vulcan Commander in Starfleet (AU), or as a friend mentioned, Spock’s wife.

For the first time (instead of hiding behind by my camera) I was approached by fans of my chosen cosplay asking for photos with me. A new territory that was nerve racking, but one I grew to quite enjoy.

Although I did get more questionable looks from some middle aged, old school bikers – puzzled by hundreds of people dressed as a Twisty the Clown inspired Predator, Rick and Morty and a seven foot Totoro. The hall next door was hosting Motorcycle Live.

But thousands turned up for the MCM Comic Con at the NEC; the convention sold out weeks before, with both general and priority tickets snapped up by eager fans.

For me though, highlights of this year’s event were spotting Mythbuster Adam Savage and his NYCC incognito Totoro, a very accurate Negan cosplay, and the Marvel vs DC photoshoot at the giant NEC sign at the entrance.

All in all the photoshoots were far more organised this year, following the bad organisation last March for the DC Comics shoot. The lead photo (above) is by far one of my favourite shots in almost four years of attending conventions, even if it was from an unusual angle. Another photographer commented that if your knees aren’t dirty, you’re not working hard enough.

(I’ve also realised this year why cosplayers assemble in groups; travelling to the NEC on your own is very awkward in a military uniform with half shaved eyebrows and abnormally large Vulcan ears)

See everyone in March 2017 for the next MCM Comic Con at the NEC. But in the meantime, here are some pics for THE GALLERY from the November con.

MCM Comic Con @ NEC 19-20.11.16 / Michelle Martin

MCM Comic Con Birmingham returns to the NEC on 18-19^th March. For direct event info, including programme updates and online ticket sales, visit www.mcmcomiccon.com/birmingham

For more on further MCM Comic Con events across the UK, visit www.mcmcomiccon.com

For more from the NEC, including full event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.thenec.co.uk

November 25, 2016

THE GALLERY: Laura Mvula @ O2 Institute 19.11.16

Words by Ed King / Pics by Paul Reynolds

On Saturday 19^th November, Laura Mvula came to the O2 Institute – with support from Oliver St Louis.

Laura Mvula was back in Birmingham at the midway point of her UK Autumn tour, a couple of months (and a Christmas) before she sets off for North America and Australia, with one Cape Town gig in between. For Laura Mvula’s full tour schedule, click here.

But we get the homecoming and that’s what it’s all about. One of the finer artists to come from Birmingham in recent years, Laura Mvula is an intelligent tapestry of homegrown success – with traditional roots in a gospel chorus and burgeoning branches that cover jazz, funk, soul and all things angelic; what, a, vocalist. Plus she’s written songs about Kings Heath, and I can only think of one other human on this blue ball that’s found a muse in B14.

Laura Mvula shot to fame after her debut album, Sing to the Moon, came out in March 2013. But her follow up album of original tracks, The Dreaming Room, came out in January this year and is gaining ground on the hyperbole surrounding its predecessor.

With a set list marrying old and new, Birmingham’s O2 Institute crowd got to bear witness to the cherry pickings from Laura Mvula’s portfolio – including seminal tracks from both LPs, such as ‘Green Garden’, ‘She’, ‘Overcome’, ‘People’ and ‘Phenomenal Woman’.

Paul Reynolds was at the O2 Institute for Birmingham Review, shooting an extended photo feature to go into THE GALLERY. See a selection of Paul’s shots below, or click here for the full Flickr of pics (or on the link above). There’s some on our Instagram page too.

Laura Mvula @ O2 Institute 19.11.16 / Paul Reynolds