The Gallery Archives - Page 9 of 12 -

November 24, 2016

THE GALLERY: Public Image Ltd @ O2 Institute 18.11.16

Ed’s note… On 18^th November, Public Image Limited (PiL) came back to Birmingham – playing to a pretty full Friday house at the O2 Institute. The last time BR covered PiL was at the O2 Academy in Oct 2013 and we were short a photographer. But thanks to some string pulling from the promotional powers that be… another bucket list tick.

Michelle Martin was at the O2 Institute on Fri 18^th November to scoop up some words & pics for THE GALLERY. Viddy below my droog, the bratchny maslo king of punk returns.

Words & pics by Michelle Martin

Cognac, crumpets and a banana. Just your typical Public Image Ltd show.

The occasional sip on his bottle of Cognac, aptly labeled ‘Piss’, kept Public Image Ltd front man John Lydon soldiering through the show.

Public Image Ltd (PiL) are currently on a European tour, 37 years after the release of their album Metal Box – back in Birmingham before they finish off at the Sinner’s Day Festival in Belgium.

PiL have been running since that other band spilt up in 1978, with Lydon enlisting Keith Levine from The Clash, Jah Wobble and Jim Walker to record and release their debut album Public Image: First Issue in the same year.

John Lydon has been the sole constant member of PiL ever since, with Lu Edmonds, Scott Firth and Bruce Smith making up the remainder of the line-up today.

Soon after PiL took to the stage, cups went flying six feet in the air. Even behind the safety of a photo pit barrier I suffered from these throwing sessions, before I had a chance to shoot anything.

One fan in the audience really stood out; I think he’d pulled a Marty McFly. He looked like he stepped right out of the 70’s punk scene, with a classic Sex Pistols tour shirt, an overused battle vest, bright neon rave glasses and a hairstyle that a cockatoo would be jealous of.

But it was a refreshing sight to see no-one with a phone held up wanting to document the show, as usually happens at shows with an audience below the average age of 25.

The gig was nostalgic, in all its punk glory and beyond; John Lydon is an exceptional performer – marching with a ferocious energy throughout the show. I was watching something I’d remember and may not see again. I was also constantly laughing at his facial expressions; contorted and relentless. A separate gallery could be dedicated just to Mr Lydon’s awesome face.

Age clearly hasn’t stopped the man from doing just what he enjoys.

Public Image Limited @ O2 Institute 18.11.16

‘Something Big is Coming’ from PiL on Monday 28^th November, but that’s all we know. For more on Public Image Limited, visit www.pilofficial.com

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

November 11, 2016

THE GALLERY: Submotion Orchestra @ O2 Institute 09.11.16

Words & Pics by Michelle Martin (Visual Voice Media)

The sound system lowers. A man appeared awkwardly centre stage. Speaking ends.

“The show has been cancelled to due a member of the band taken ill backstage”.

You could hear a pin drop.

At other cancelled shows, audience members could boo and jeer at the announcement – but surprisingly the crowd was sympathetic and shouted support for the person now waiting for an ambulance.*

It was a shame to miss The Cinematic Orchestra.

But I shot the supporting act, Submotion Orchestra; I didn’t research anything about the Leeds based ensemble, typically I don’t, but safe to say I was surprised by the music they played.

Ruby Wood’s outstanding vocals shone throughout their set. Bobby Beddoe commanded the stage with his chosen weapons, a microphone and trumpet. The sounds he produced are still stuck in my head, and this is over 24 hours later. Cheesy as it sounds but there is no other way of describing it – tingles all over my body. Simply beautiful. The biggest crowd reactions of the evening were in response to this maestro doing dominating the solos.

The only downside to Submotion Orchestra’s set was the god awful lighting – please get this sorted. And what’s with the consistent use of red lights? I’d best cease the potential rant on light rigs at venues.

Anyway, here is a quick gallery from Submotion Orchestra’s performance.

Here is THE GALLERY from Submotion Orchestra’s performance.

Submotion Orchestra @ O2 Institute 09.11.16

*A message from Leftfoot – promoters

First off a huge thank you to everyone who attended last night’s show and a huge amount of respect for the patience and understanding shown.

Unfortunately moments before the band were due on stage, one of the members became very unwell which resulted in the need for urgent medical attention. Given the gravity of the situation, it was impossible for the show to continue. We’re in the process of discussing a rescheduled date, but have nothing confirmed just yet. All tickets will remain valid for a rescheduled date, however refunds will be available at point of purchase for all those that wish to.

Apologies from us and from The Cinematic Orchestra, everyone was genuinely devastated about this unfortunate turn of events and we wish Dom a speedy recovery.

For any further enquiries, please email tom@leftfootvenues.co.uk

-ENDS-

For more on Submotion Orchestra, visit www.submotion.co.uk

For more on The Cinematic Orchestra, visit www.cinematicorchestra.com

For more from the O2 Institute, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2institutebirmingham

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For more from Leftfoot, visit www.leftfootevents.co.uk

For more form Ninja Tunes, visit www.ninjatune.net

September 12, 2016

THE GALLERY: Moseley Folk Festival @ Moseley Park 02-04.09

Pics by Rob Hadley (Indie Images)

Moseley Folk Festival enjoyed its eleventh time round the sun this year, with another cascade of troubadours ushering in autumn at Moseley Park.

Billy Bragg was welcomed back to the fold, headlining the Friday night stage alongside The Levellers. The Coral and Songhoy Blues took centre stage on Saturday – with The Proclaimers playing their last UK gig of the year to close the show on Sunday. Rumour has it Benjamin Francis Leftwich even spent his birthday in Birmingham, but this could be the cough syrup talking.

Outside the high echelons of festival billing, the first weekend in September saw a range of international and UK based acts coming to Moseley – from local luminaries such as Dan Whitehouse and Chris Cleverley, to pan-Atlantic performances from Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop, Laura Gibson and Mothers.

All in all, a damn fine fettle of folk to round off another festival season. Rob Hadley was on weekend’s the front line for Birmingham Review – happy snapping an extended picture spread to go into THE GALLERY.

Check out some sample shots from each day below. Click here (or on the link above) to see the full flickr of pics.

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Luke Concannon & Jimmy Davis @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 02.09

For more on Luke Concannon, visit www.lukeconcannon.com

For more on Jimmy Davis, visit www.jimmydavisdavis.com

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Sam Lee & Friends @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 02.09

For more on Sam Lee, visit www.samleesong.co.uk

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The Levellers @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 02.09

For more on The Levellers, visit www.levellers.co.uk

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Billy Bragg @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 02.09

For more on Billy Bragg, visit www.shinealight-joehenry.billybragg.co.uk

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Barmer Boys @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 03.09

For more Barmer Boys, visit www.facebook.com/BarmerBoys

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C Duncan @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 03.09

For more C Duncan, visit www.musicglue.com/cduncan

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The Coral @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 03.09

For more on The Coral, visit www.thecoral.co.uk

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Songhoy Blues @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 03.09

For more on Songhoy Blues, visit www.songhoy-blues.com

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Benjamin Francis Leftwich @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 04.09

For more on Benjamin Francis Leftwich, visit www.benjaminfrancisleftwich.com

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Rhino & the Ranters @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 04.09

For more on Rhino & the Ranters, visit www.rhinoandtheranters.com

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Jesca Hoop @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 04.09

For more on Jesca Hoop, visit www.jescahoop.com

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The Proclaimers @ Moseley Folk Festival ’16 / 04.09

For more on The Proclaimers, visit www.proclaimers.co.uk

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Moseley Folk Festival will be back on the city’s suburban event’s calendar, with next year’s festival coming to Moseley Park 1st – 3rd September 2017. For more Moseley Folk Festival, visit www.moseleyfolk.co.uk

September 8, 2016

THE GALLERY: The Garden + The Parrots @ Hare & Hounds 28.08

Pics by Rob Hadley (Indie Images)

On Sunday 28^th August, Killer Wave and This Is Tmrw presented a Bank Holiday bonanza of bands – bringing Orange County’s The Garden and Madrid’s The Parrots to the Hare & Hounds as joint headliners.

Bolstering the 5pm line up were enough local luminaries to make the show twice as worth the cover charge, with The Mothers Earth Experiment, Table Scraps, The Terror Watts & Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam filling the Bank Holiday bill.

Rock, roll, punk and pints of Sunday cider… Birmingham Review’s one-man-photo-machine (or Rob Hadley as he is known to his more human compadres) was there to capture an extensive picture spread to go into THE GALLERY.

Also keep an eye out for our full BREVIEW from Jay Dyer – coming to screen near you soon. So here. And later today.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch… here are a couple of tasty pictorial morsels (if you were too ruined by Sunday to see clearly for yourself). To check out the full Flickr of pics click here or on the link above.

The Garden @ Hare & Hounds 28.08

For more from The Garden, visit www.thegardenvadavada.com

The Parrots @ Hare & Hounds 28.08

For more from The Parrots, visit www.facebook.com/theparrots1

The Mothers Earth Experiment @ Hare & Hounds 28.08

For more from The Mothers Earth Experiment, visit www.facebook.com/themothersearthexperiment

Table Scraps @ Hare & Hounds 28.08

For more on Table Scraps, visit www.facebook.com/tablescrapshq

The Terror Watts @ Hare & Hounds 28.08

For more on The Terror Watts, visit www.facebook.com/terrorwatts

Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam @ Hare & Hounds 28.08

For more on Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam, visit www.facebook.com/sunshinefrisbeelaserbeam

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For more from Killer Wave, visit www.facebook.com/kllrwv

For More from This Is Tmrw, visit www.thisistmrw.co.uk

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For more from the Hare & Hounds (Kings Heath), visit www.hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk

February 16, 2016

THE GALLERY: Gabrielle Aplin @ O2 Institute 14.02.16

Words by Ed King / Pics by Harry Mills

On Sunday 14^th February, Gabrielle Aplin brought her Light Up the Dark UK Tour to the O2 Institute, with support from Hannah Grace + Lewis Watson – as presented by Birmingham Promoters.

Harry Mills was there to shoot a Birmingham Review for THE GALLERY. To check out the Full Flickr of Pics, click here or on the relevant links.

Gabrielle Aplin rose to the surface off the back of her YouTube audience. But having learnt her way around a label whilst studying at Bath College, contributing to their in- house BA1 Records, Aplin swiftly set up her own imprint – Never Fade Records, releasing her five track debut Acoustic EP in 2010.

Since then Gabrielle Aplin has released all her material through Never Fade, alongside a (still current) deal with Parlophone from 2013 onwards. Never Fade now also represents a wider roster of artists, including Bite the Buffalo, Saint Raymond (who further signed to Asylum) and Hannah Grace.

So the girl’s got talent, tenacity and her own label; Gabrielle Aplin is an arguably healthier benchmark for the X Factor generation. She’s also now two albums into her career, having crossed the musical River Styx with Light Up the Dark in September 2015. And her sound seems to be confidently evolving – with the ballad based six string laments of her debut LP, English Rain, being given a comfortable back seat to her sophomore’s punchier, full band approach.

And it is that album/approach which Ms Aplin brought to a Birmingham stage, namely the O2 Institute, on 14^th February. And whilst it was only Ed King, tip toes, warm Red Stripe and a rollerball pen giving Gabrielle Aplin’s last gig in the city a Birmingham Review, this time around we’ve gone all-out-images.

Check out Harry Mill’s Birmingham Review of Gabrielle Aplin @ O2 Institute 14.02.16 – as featured in THE GALLERY. There are some sample shots from the gig below, but for the Full Flickr of Pics click here or on the relevant links.

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Gabrielle Aplin @ O2 Institute 14.02.16 / By Harry Mills – Birmingham Review