THE GALLERY: Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18

Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe

 

 

 

Words & pics by Eleanor Sutcliffe

You can tell a lot about a show by the queue outside the venue.

Tonight, it is an endless horde of teenage girls and their parents. Not my usual rock show, granted. However, I was their age when Rita Ora dropped her single ‘RIP’ back in 2012, so I can understand their excitement. And it’s rare for a pop star of Ora’s size to play such a small venue (if, of course, you can count the 3000 capacity O2 Academy main room as ‘small’).

Kara Marni – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor SutcliffeFirst on stage is Kara Marni, who delivers a no-frills five track performance including a mashup of ‘Wild Thoughts’ by Rihanna and ‘Shape of You’ by Ed Sheeran.

Marni’s standout song tonight, however, is ‘Love Just Ain’t Enough’ taken from her debut EP of the same name; her vocals dance effortlessly over subtle R & B beats, amalgamating into a set that is short but nevertheless incredibly impressive.

Next up we have Raye, who bounds onto the stage clad in a black hoodie and shorts. Her energy is seemingly endless as she bounces back and forth to tracks such as ‘Cigarette’ and ‘Decline’, which both send the crowd into what can only be described as group ecstasy.Raye – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe

Personally, even whilst watching most of it through a camera lens, I enjoy Raye‘s set much more than I anticipated – and even find myself dancing along to her track, ‘Confidence’. Once my professional duties are done, of course. But a great performer and one to watch/watch out for if you get the chance.

But now it’s the main event, the artist this sold out O2 Academy crowd have all come out to see. Admittedly, I am slightly dubious about the show that Rita Ora will deliver tonight – her absence from the UK touring circuit for several years, plus the ‘smaller’ venue choice, were all seemingly red flags to me. However, as the set kicks off with a flourish I couldn’t have been more mistaken.

Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor SutcliffeOpening to one of her latest tracks, ‘Your Song’, Rita Ora weaves her way across the stage along with four backing dancers – all in front of an LED screen showing lyrics to the crowd. Production wise, Ora spares nothing for her fans tonight, from a dancer being constrained in a Perspex box during ‘For You’ to a slightly amusing routine involving numerous industrial fans and chiffon scarves for ‘Body On Me’. The show pushes exactly what is possible for a performer (and production team) to achieve on the O2 Academy’s main stage.Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe

It isn’t all theatrics, however; from dedicating her track ‘Lonely Together’ to the late Avicii, to debuting a new slower number titled ‘Soul Survivor’, Ora’s high octane performance is interspersed with slower material including a more laid back, heavier version of her hit single ‘RIP’. But the highlight of the night is when she pulls a group from the audience up on stage to celebrate one of their birthdays. Seeing a star being this genuine and dedicated to their fans is a breath of fresh air.

Finishing her set with ‘Anywhere’, another track from her eagerly awaited sophomore album, it’s clear that Rita Ora’s time out of the spotlight has been well spent. And with a whole host of new material ready for her fans to hear, I’ll be surprised if she graces the stage of a venue this ‘small’ again. Next stop, surely an arena tour.

 

 

 

Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe

Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor SutcliffeRita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor SutcliffeRita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor SutcliffeRita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor SutcliffeRita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe

For more on Rita Ora, visit www.ritaora.com

___________

Raye – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe

Raye – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe Raye – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe Raye – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe

For more on Raye, visit www.raye-music.com

___________

Kara Marni – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe

Kara Marni – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe Kara Marni – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe Kara Marni – supporting Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18 / Eleanor Sutcliffe

For more on Kara Marni, visit www.karamarni.com

For from the O2 Academy Birmingham, including all further event listings, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham

BPREVIEW: Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18

BPREVIEW: Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18

Words by Eleanor Sutcliffe

On the 16th of May, Rita Ora will be performing at O2 Academy Birmingham as part of The Girls Tour coming to venues across the UK.

Doors open at the O2 Academy Birmingham from 7pm, with tickets priced at £33.70 (plus delivery fees) – as presented by SJM Concerts, Live Nation and AEG. For direct gig information, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

**At the time of writing this gig was close to selling out, with only a few tickets left via Ticketmaster and other outlets. Please ensure you buy from a reputable agent**

Rita Ora rose to mainstream music fame back in 2012, after appearing as the guest vocalist on DJ Fresh’s No1 single ‘Hot Right Now’. In May that year, Ora – who had been working on material for her debut album – released her debut single, ‘RIP’, which also entered the charts at the top spot. Then in August, Ora completed the hat trick with ‘How Do We (Party)’ which again debuted at No1 – making her the only artist of the year to have three consecutive releases at the top of the UK Singles Charts. Rita Ora’s self titled debut album, Ora, came out in August 2012 again reaching the No1 spot on release.

Winning huge industry attention, Rita Ora, who signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label in December 2008, attracted support slots from many major artists such as Coldplay and Drake. Clear that Ora was a pop force to be reckoned with, since those somewhat meteoric beginnings she has toured from England to Australia, recorded with artists from Tinie Tempah to Iggy Azalea, and won pretty much every award you could think of including Best British Breakthrough Act at the 2013 BRIT awards.

Rita Ora has further enjoyed a solid career on screen, appearing as a judge on several high profile TV talent shows and staring as Mia Grey in the Fifty Shades… film trilogy

However, every silver lining has it’s cloud and Rita Ora’s music career took a hit in 2015 after she filed a lawsuit against Roc Nation seeking release from her contract. Settling this in early 2016, Ora signed to Atlantic Records in 2016 – releasing her first single on the imprint, ‘Your Song’, in May 2017.

Rita Ora’s latest solo single, ‘Anywhere’, was released in October 2017, following with a track with Liam Payne from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, ‘For You’, in January 2018 ‘For You’. A further collaboration with Cardi B, Bebe Rexha, and Charli XCX, ‘Girls’, is set for release on 11th May – paving the way for Ora‘s long awaited sophomore studio album, which fans can hope to see released in autumn 2018.

‘Anywhere’ – Rita Ora

On the 16th of May, Rita Ora will be performing at O2 Academy – as presented by SJM Concerts, Live Nation and AEG. For direct gig information, including venue details and online tickets sales, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham/rita-ora-tickets 

For more on Rita Ora, visit www.ritaora.com

For from the O2 Academy Birmingham, including all further event listings, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham

BPREVIEW: Imagine Dragons @ Genting Arena 24.02.18

Imagine Dragons @ Genting Arena 24.02.18

Words by Eleanor Sutcliffe

Imagine Dragons will be performing at the Genting Arena in Birmingham on Saturday the 24th February, with support from Grouplove and K. Flay.

Set times are yet to be confirmed, with tickets currently priced from £41.58 (plus booking fee) – as presented by Live Nation UK. For direct gig details, including venue information and online ticket sales, click here.

It’s a busy time for Imagine Dragons. Following the release of their third studio album, Evolve, they announced a world tour in support – so a full diary for the Las Vegas alt/pop rockers, but sweet relief for their fans who had been waiting patiently for new material after the band announced a self-imposed hiatus for 2016.

Imagine Dragons @ Genting Arena 24.02.18Was it worth the wait? Despite going platinum in America, peaking at No2 on the Billboard 200 and No1 on the Top Rock charts, and hitting Top 10s across Europe – including No3 on the Official UK Charts, Evolve has received mixed reviews from critics on both sides of the pond.

But their new album title is rather fitting for the alternative rock band who first stormed to international success back in 2012. Their debut album Night Visions, was released and took over the rock charts across the world, sneaking it way into the Top 10s in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada to name a few.

Birthed from this album was the track ‘Radioactive’, which became the genre’s best selling track of 2013 and was coined by Rolling Stones magazine as ‘The biggest rock hit of the year’. After scooping the award for Billboard’s Best Breakout Band of 2013, it soon became clear that the only way was up for the dynamic Las Vegas quartet.

Evolve, whatever publication you’re reading, is the band’s third top five album stateside, and it’s not hard to see why Imagine Dragons have enjoyed such continued success. Their music is a tactical mix or rock and electronic production, wrapped up and presented with astounding live performances – grabbing and building an audience from a cross section of genres.

It’s heavy enough to please even the most hardcore of alternative rock fans, but can still be found playing in many more bars and clubs with a pop tinge that takes it comfortably into the mainstream. Drawing influences from bands such as Nirvana, Arcade Fire and Muse, Imagine Dragons are always a breath of fresh air.

‘Whatever It Takes’ – Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons come to the Genting Arena on Saturday 24th February, with support from Grouplove and K Flay – as presented by Live Nation UK. For direct gig info, including venue details and online ticket sales, visit www.gentingarena.co.uk/whats-on/imagine-dragons

For more on Imagine Dragons, visit www.imaginedragonsmusic.com

For more on Grouplove, visit www.grouplovemusic.com

For more on K. Flay, visit www.kflay.com

For more from Live Nation, visit www.livenation.co.uk

For more from the Genting Arena, including full event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.gentingarena.co.uk

BREVIEW: The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18

 

 

 

Words by Molly Forsyth  / Pics by Phil Drury

I step into the O2 Academy in Birmingham, a venue that has been a staple in my perusal of live music for over a decade, and feel apprehension for the first time.

I am still accustomed to being below the average age of attendees at gigs. Tonight, it is clear I am not. The hum of teenage excitement is all too familiar to me, except this time I am not part of it. College kids glug double pints of Somersby’s. Hives of young girls are buzzing around the venue, a swarm of double dyed-denim, glitter eyes, high-waisted jeans, vintage windbreakers and bleached buzzcuts. They look fantastic, and I have no doubt they are about to have the time of their lives tonight watching one of the fastest rising bands in the UK, The Hunna.

Night Riots – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham ReviewOpening this evening are Night Riots, who feed off the energy radiating around the hall to put in a blistering performance, complete with a mini LED display at the start of the set.

They are so good it is hard to believe they are supporting a gig of this size rather than filling the venue themselves. Night Riots effectively combine chugging riffs reminiscent of early emo bands such as Jimmy Eat World with the flamboyant sensibilities of new wave, and it’s a concoction fit for tonight’s crowd.

Frontman, Travis Hawley, strolls whimsically across the speakers throughout, shirt buttoned down past Simon Cowell-level, but not quite Morrissey-level.Coasts – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Their standout track is ‘Spiders’ – one of the strongest songs I hear all evening – which serves to show the band’s identity beyond their influences. The lo-fi drums, building anthemic verses and a smooth slide into delicate synth work, demonstrate the finesse that Night Riots possess. They return to UK shores from their native California in just a few short months and I will certainly be in attendance.

Next are Coasts, providing a tighter, crisper sound than their fellow support act, if perhaps lacking in originality. Compared to the more grandiose Night Riots, Coasts feel minimal in the space they occupy, their strength lying in the clarity of their layered tracks. At no point in their set does any instrument bleed into the other. The slightest pluck of the guitar can be heard against the gentlest beat, which is testament to their skill as musicians.

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham ReviewAfter ploughing through a set consisting of pleasant, albeit forgettable dream pop, they end with ‘Oceans’ to a big cheer. Undeniably their most immediate and memorable moment of the night, it feels unfortunate that diversity is lacking in the rest of their catalogue. If they are capable of writing songs as impactful as ‘Oceans’ however, I remain hopeful that Coasts can expand on their sound with new and more unique ideas in the future.

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham ReviewIn contrast, it seems that The Hunna have made a breakthrough in establishing their identity. Shrouded by dim strobes of magenta and indigo, they turn up with every intention of causing a frenzy. What follows is a 45 minute onslaught of menacing indie rock aimed squarely at your adrenaline reserves, complete with choruses containing clear ambition for chart success.

Highlights include early favourite ‘She’s Casual’, sung mainly by the crowd, current Radio 1 favourite ‘Flickin’ Your Hair’, and new song ‘Dare’, which perfectly demonstrates the band’s development in their songwriting. While the songs from their debut album, 100, are solid stabs at straight-up garage rock made popular in the Noughties, ‘Dare’ indicates that The Hunna are ready for bigger things.

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham ReviewMaking their way back on the stage in coordinated jackets to spell out the song title, The Hunna launch into a dirty, distorted riff. The direct lyrics assert their authority to a lover, rather than wondering out loud if she cares about their existence (see ‘Still Got Blood’, ‘You Don’t Want It With Me’) and are imbued with a certain confidence that matches the growth the band have experienced in just two years. As they play the last notes of fan favourite ‘Bonfire’ the last remnants of cerise confetti float over a crowd still hungry for more, and I make my exit with every faith that 2018 belongs to The Hunna.

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham ReviewAs impressed as I am with the three bands, the hero of the night is the crowd. I love young crowds, not for their ‘energy’ (being 24, I can’t claim I’m exactly tired yet) but for their commitment to having a good time. They aren’t jaded or overly educated in what makes good music to stop them from enjoying themselves to the fullest. They are a generation raised on a diet of too-cool-for-school trap beats and icy pop – Drake, Post Malone and Taylor Swift are played during intervals – but their appetite for indie coexists.

While applause and tacit appreciation is something I come to expect from crowds these days, tonight is all about festival-level screaming, stomping until your Vans are worn down from the sole, and climbing atop the shoulders of the first strapping young man you can find. And I can’t ask for anything better.

 

 

 

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

For more on The Hunna visit www.thehunna.com

__________

Coasts – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Coasts – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Coasts – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Coasts – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Coasts – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Coasts – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

For more on Coasts, visit www.coastscoastscoasts.tumblr.com

__________

Night Riots – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Night Riots – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Night Riots – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Night Riots – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Night Riots – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

Night Riots – supporting The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

For more on Night Riots, visit www.nightriots.com

For more from High Tide Records, visit www.hightiderecordings.com

For more from O2 Academy, including full event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham

 

BPREVIEW: The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18

Words by Molly Forsyth

The Hunna will be stopping in Birmingham as part of their second major UK tour on Thursday 11th January, performing at the O2 Academy. Support comes from Coasts and Night Riots.

Doors open at 7pm and the tickets are priced at £24.15 excluding booking fees – as presented by High Tide Recordings and Academy Music Group. For direct gig info, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

**There are limited tickets remaining for The Hunna’s O2 Academy Birmingham show at time of writing, so fans should act quickly to enjoy the band before bigger venues beckon.**

The Hertfordshire four-piece will be gracing the O2 Academy stage in support of their upcoming sophomore album, Dare, set for release in May 2018. Boasting a potent blend of Instagram-friendly swagger, hometown pride, and riffs with the lick and spit of ‘noughties’ indie spirit that many considered long gone, The Hunna look set to take 2018 by storm and build on their current success.

The Hunna @ O2 Academy 11.01.18Upon the release of their debut single, ‘Bonfire’, in 2015, the band have enjoyed a rapid rise to popularity within the UK indie scene, charting in the UK Top 20 with their 2016 debut album, 100. They have become firm festival favourites along their journey – opened shirts, scuffed Dr Martens and bed-headed charm standing out against the preened, Athleisure look of their contemporary male acts. With their live show integral to their growth thus far, The Hunna could be further set to trouble international waters with their second release.

Joining The Hunna will be their High Tide label-mates Coasts. The Bristol based alternative outfit err on the cooler, minimalist side of indie rock, with comparisons to established acts such as Foals and Two Door Cinema Club. Earning major exposure thanks to BBC Radio 1 and E4’s Made In Chelsea putting 2014 single ‘Oceans’ on rotation, Coasts are playing in support of their second release, This Life Vol. 1. The band have already embarked on their own solo tour and are another name to look out for in the coming years.

Alongside Coasts, The Hunna will also be joined by US rockers Night Riots. Bringing the post-punk sound up to date for this generation, the Californian five-piece are more likely to show you the West Coast dusk rather than its famed sunshine. Still basking in the glow of reviews for second album, Love Gloom, in 2016, the band have steadily developed their reputation for a rapturous live show, notable for their emotive hooks and hypnotic basslines. Not to leave out, of course, their hints of modern power-pop vigour at the core of songs such as ‘Contagious’ and ‘Fangs’.

With a trio of acts that are each building a strong reputation for good live shows and memorable performances, the 11th January at the O2 Academy in Birmingham looks set to be all killer, no filler.

‘Dare’ – The Hunna

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NiUO4BaweQ

For more on The Hunna visit www.thehunna.com 

For more on Coasts, visit www.coastscoastscoasts.tumblr.com

For more on Night Riots, visit www.nightriots.com

For more from High Tide Recordings, visit www.hightiderecordings.com

For more from O2 Academy, including full event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham