In apparent homage to the Hummingbird’s old Saturday night playlist, Birmingham’s gone a bit early Indie this month. The HMV resurrect Jesus Jones (Nov 1st) and Sultans of Ping (Nov 5th), whilst the O2 Academy boast the Smashing Pumpkins on Nov 19th. But the Vision Street Wear crown/cap goes to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, playing two days at the LG Arena (Nov 19th & 20th).
Responsible for Blood Sugar Sex Magic, the Sergeant Pepper’s of the 90’s (a statement which makes me anachronistic across two generations), the Chili’s are on the road promoting their new album and guitarist. Exciting stuff, although seeing them next to The Saturdays on Jonathan Ross was like watching a lion eat ice cream.
Ironically the only big city venue not following suit, or rather Doc Martin army shirt combo, is the Birmingham Ballroom, who have Death Cab For Cutie (Nov 18th) above a roster of uber cool UK wannabes. Sorry, ‘exciting new three piece from Reading’, or whatever university town rock they produce these bands under.
Elsewhere is healthily avant guarde, in the differing shapes and sizes of Kirsty Almeida (Glee Club, Nov 3rd), Scroobius Pip (HMV, Nov 3rd), Misty’s Big Adventure (The End, Nov 4th), Guillemots (HMV Nov 9th), Lupen Crook (Yardbird, 16th Nov) and Dreadzone (H&H, Nov 17th), with some THSH bookings deserving a special gold star mention – Zakir Hussain (Town Hall, Nov 9th), Janis Ian (Town Hall, Nov 13th), Peter Frampton (Symphony Hall, Nov 15th) and The Beat (Town Hall, Nov 18th).
Also worth mentioning are the return of sugar pop mmmbop Nazi poster boy triplet, Hanson (HMV, Nov 27th). Although apart from mediocrity, banality and possibly Satan, I don’t know what they revere.
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