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November 25, 2015

THE GALLERY: Boat to Row (album launch) @ Hare & Hounds 20.11.15

Words by Ed King / Pics by Joëlle O’Toole

On Friday 20th Nov, Boat to Row came to the Hare & Hounds (Kings Heath) to launch their debut album, If I Found You Here. Somewhat established round these here parts, Boat to Row stopped off at t’Hare for a special home town show, as promoted by This Is Tmrw, before the obligitaory London showcase and a gig up in Nottingham

Released via local label/promoters, Nocturne Records – the city purveyors of storytelling and Folk (from Midnight Bonfies to Katherine Priddy), the If I Found You Here launch night was supported by Dancing Years and Declan McKenna – alongside DJs from Goodnight Lenin.

Joëlle O’Toole was at the Hare & Hounds for a Birmingham Review, grabbing some of life’s ever fleeting moments to stick in THE GALLERY.

Declan McKenna – supporting Boat to Row @ Hare & Hounds 20.11.15

Blah blah, young, blah blah, talented. Ignore the obvious rhetoric; Declan McKenna is well worth a stop, look & listen regardless – penning some feisty Folk (© Birmingham Review) with some bitter sweet lyrics and the occasional Ska staccato to move it all along. I suppose you could say he’s a bit like Jake Bugg without the skiffle addiction. And, you know, good. Plus those kindly folk on Worthy Farm have given him some walking around money, so there’s probably more to come from Mr McKenna before the next festival season.

For more on Declan McKenna, visit http://declanmckenna.bandcamp.com/

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Dancing Years – supporting Boat to Row @ Hare & Hounds 20.11.15

With a name that reminds me of a Reeves & Mortimer sketch, but a sound that’s much more laudable, Dancing Years are getting ready for their debut release EP next Feb. Great vocals, strong melodies; do not be put off by the tweed-jumper/Geography-teacher-on-weekends moniker, this quintet from Leeds are a pretty spectacular thing. They’re getting some solid support from Auntie at the moment too; Dancing Years could have a promising new year ahead of them.

For more on Dancing Years, visit http://www.dancingyears.com/

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Boat to Row @ Hare & Hounds 20.11.15

The band of the hour, and a pretty well loved/established/supported local ensemble – the release of their debut LP, If I Found You Here, is another step along Boat to Row’s already confident path. A group of musician’s musicians, quite clearly friends, and writers of some Folk sturdy enough to support even the most cynical of hearts (mine) Boat to Row are one of the city’s musical feathers. As in cap..? Anyway… just check out the album and you’ll see what I mean.

For more on Boat to Row, visit http://boattorow.com/

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For more from the Hare & Hounds (Kings Heath), including full event listings & online ticket sales, visit http://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/

For more from This Is Tmrw, visit http://thisistmrw.co.uk/

November 24, 2015November 25, 2015

OPINION: The Clothes Show Live ’15 @ NEC 04-8.12.15

Words by Sasha Holt / Pics courtesy of NEC Group

Well hello fashionistas, its Sasha – your style guide through the fashion wilderness. And here we go, taking the next step on that yellow brick road towards the metaphorical Oz that is The Clothes Show Live ’15.

One of the things I’m most excited to experience at this year’s event is the Vintage area. With exhibitors such as Minimum Mouse and All about Aud, creating exciting new pieces by recycling and upcycling (as well as helping lovingly pre owned Vintage pieces find new homes) it’s an ethos very close to my heart.

In today’s fast, disposable fashion world there are so many cheap clothing options that few people appear to buy with an eye for longevity or quality. Rather it’s more attractive to buy a piece of designer homage in a ‘fashion’ megastore and when it loses shape, or goes out of style, to simply bin it or sell it for its weight.

Now I’m not purporting to be a moral compass on this area; I too have ventured into the sartorial pit even Dante would recognise. I have pieces in my wardrobe that cost less than a sandwich, but it does twinge my conscience to think of the amount of money that is thrown away in the name of fashion.

In fact, if we look at the numbers it might make even the most hardened shopper feel a little queasy. The BBC reported earlier this year that in the U.K over £44bn is spent annually on clothes, 30% in the average wardrobe has been unworn for a year, and probably the most staggering of all a massive £140m of clothes go into landfill every year.

I would hope that The Clothes Show Live would follow in the footsteps of events such as Charity Fashion Live, to help re-educate its customers. Charity Fashion Live, this September, was an exciting opportunity for London Fashion Week to work with Oxfam, and introduce the idea of wearing second hand clothing and textiles to a new audience. They also created a viable platform to discuss sustainability, the environment and throwaway fashion.

I’m not saying The Clothes Show Live needs to become a glorified charity shop or Vintage fair, and I understand the importance of events such as these in supporting the fashion industry.

But I applaud the inclusion of the Vintage area at The Clothes Show Live in possibly re-educating its visitors to the benefits of clothes that are pre owned and second hand. It’s definitely a step in the right direction towards a fashion catwalk with a more of a conscience.

The Clothes Show Live ’15 comes to the NEC Birmingham from 4^th – 8^th December. For full programme details visit http://www.clothesshow.com/

Tickets for The Clothes Show Live ’15 are on sale now, available through Ticket Factory. For online tickets sales & info, visit https://www.theticketfactory.com/cslb/online/

For more from the Ticket Factory, visit https://www.theticketfactory.com/

November 21, 2015November 21, 2015

INTERVIEW: The Enemy @ The Empire 21.11.15

Words by Esh Capêlo / Film by Edward Taylor (Digital Flow)

The Enemy are out across the UK, touring their latest studio album It’s Automatic – playing at The Empire in Coventry on Saturday 21^st November, with support from Castles, April and Asylums. Doors at 7pm, for direct tour gig info & tickets click here.

Esh Capelo went along to The Empire for Birmingham Review (sneaking in between some last minute venue renovations and the band’s homecoming gig soundcheck) to chat to local lads, Andy Hopkins and Liam Watts, about The Enemy’s new album, current tour and the exciting news that the trio will be supporting The Libertines next year.

Talking about their latest studio release, It’s Automatic, and their follow up to their third UK top ten album, Streets in the Sky, Liam says; “there’s definitely more going on, we’ve stepped up what we do. Before we used to just go out and smash it up live…”

“…now it’s more a show than a gig,” adds Andy, “but it’s still got loads of energy. If we’re not knackered at the end of the gig then there’s something wrong with us.”

The opportunity to tour with The Libertines in 2016 was welcome and one that the band couldn’t pass up. “It’s amazing,” says Andy “we’re buzzing for that. We’ve known for ages that it might be happening but we’re held it back. When we finally got it confirmed we were like ‘yes!!’”

“We’re doing four dates,” adds Liam, “Birmingham, London, Bournemouth and Cardiff. We hadn’t met Pete as much but Carl’s been on the same management as us. Even the other night Andy was DJing in London and Gary (Powell – The Libertines’ drummer) was there…”

“Yeah, I leant him my headphones,” adds Andy. “I didn’t know if he knew we were going to be supporting them but I thought, I’ll get them back on the tour. I’ll make sure I’ll get ‘em back.”

The Enemy are playing thier homecoming gig at The Empire, the city’s newest music venue on Far Gosford Street – a venue co-owned by Tom Clarke, The Enemy’s front man, and one opened to help Coventry gain the title of City of Culture 2021.

Liam says, “It’s going to be mental. Home gigs are always pretty special… and you get a bit more nervous; there’s a lot going on, your family are down, that kind of thing. It always builds to this point, wherever it is in the tour, the home show, it always builds to that point.”

Andy adds, “…but (as Tom Clarke is co-owner) if anything goes wrong, I’m going to moan.”

But who’d hear him; tonight’s sold out gig is sure be as raucous as any of The Enemy’s previous homecomings. Tom Clarke will also be DJ’ing and meeting fans at the official after show party.

Watch Birmingham Review’s full interview with The Enemy @ The Empire 21.11.15

The Enemy play their homecoming gig at The Empire in Coventry on Saturday 21^st November, with support from Castles, April and Asylums. Doors at 7pm, for direct tour gig info & tickets visit http://www.seetickets.com/artist/the-enemy/547719

For more on The Enemy, visit https://www.facebook.com/theenemy

For more from The Empire, visit http://www.coventryempire.co.uk/

November 19, 2015

BPREVIEW: Boat to Row (album launch) @ Hare & Hounds 20.11.15

Words by Ed King

On Friday 20th Nov, Boat to Row play at the Hare & Hounds (Kings Heath) with support from Dancing Years, Declan McKenna + DJs from Goodnight Lenin.

Doors open at 7pm (last entry 10pm) with advance tickets charged at £10 – as presented by This Is Tmrw. For direct gig info & online tickets sales, click here.

Boat to Row are coming to the Hare & Hounds to celebrate the launch of their debut album, I Found You Here – released via local label/promoters, Nocturne Records, on Friday 20^th November. Hence the shindig.

And with support from Leeds’ debut EP impending Dancing Years (Learn to Kiss – Feb ’16) and the Pilton funded precocity that is Declan McKenna, this is a pretty full bill for a tenner; some strong and promising voices. But, perhaps, more so if you like singer/songwriters and Folk. Think singer/songwriters and Folk. It’s going to be singer/songwriters and Folk.

Birmingham Review last saw Boat to Row at The Rainbow in May this year, with the melodious love-in leaving Ceri Black floating on a cloud of world piece for longer than normal. Certainly talented and confidently friends, the onstage ensemble won over our stalwart reporter; a trusted scribe who once surmised Hanson’s return to Birmingham by declaring ‘I wanted to hide my face and pretend none of it was happening.’

But she’s arguably not the only one, with Boat to Row earning a reputation for multi layered and considered compositions, driven by a campfire sealed narrative and winsome delivery. People like ‘em, in a nutshell. They’re, like, well cool.

And now with an LP to shout about, a ‘labour of love’ which was reportedly two years in the making, the Birmingham multi instrumentalists are out on the road with their fresh stocking filler suggestion – playing at the Hare & Hounds (20^th Nov), before heading to London (The Finsbury – 22^nd Nov) and Nottingham (The Bodega – 25^th Nov).

So dip your finger in the sugar bowl and see what you think; try before you buy, watch the official video to ‘Turn the Page’ – taken from Boat to Row’s debut album, I Found You Here.

And if anyone can corroborate, the site of the ‘TESCO LIES’ in Stirchley, right…?

‘Turn the Page’ – Boat to Row

Boat to Row perform at the Hare & Hounds (Kings Heath) on 20^th November, with support from Dancing Years, Declan McKenna + DJs from Goodnight Lenin. For direct gig info & tickets, visit http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12541982

For more on Boat to Row, visit http://boattorow.com/

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For more from the Hare & Hounds (Kings Heath), including full event listings & online ticket sales, visit http://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/

For more from This Is Tmrw, visit http://thisistmrw.co.uk/

November 18, 2015

BPREVIEW: MCM Comic Con @ NEC 21-2.11.15

Words by Olly MacNamee

*MCM Comic Con (Birmingham) is held at the NEC from 21^st to 22^nd November, with standard day tickets priced at £16 and standard weekend tickets at £16. For direct ticket info & sales, click here.

Coming this weekend, and closing down the comic-con season in Birmingham for the year, is the return of the memorabilia mammoth that is the MCM Comic Con*.

With it’s usually mix of celebrities, cosplay and comics – and a great opportunity to grab that favourite geek in your life a bostin’ Christmas present (you still say “bostin’” round here, right?) this can be a demanding weekend if you don’t know what you’re doing.

So, here are my top five survival tips to consider if you’re a newbie to these kinds of shows.

Cosplay catastrophes cancelled: With cosplay being an integral part of the fun to be had at MCM, fear not if you’ve dressed to impress but find a ladder in your tights or a tear in your cape; there are people on hand with their magic box of needles and threads that will help restore you to Justice League standards. Just make sure you’ve used your Wolverine like tracking skills early in the day to seek ‘em out.

Plan ahead: With several cast members of the uber popular Game of Thrones holding court, as well as appearances from Liv Tyler (Sunday only), Maude Hirst (Vikings), Victoria Smurfit and Merrin Dungey (Once Upon A Time) and the Bionic Man himself, Lee Majors, you may want to check with the MCM online guide (available on the day as a floppy copy) to decide on a battle plan. Where are the celebs you want to see, what time are the photo opportunities, and where are the bogs. These are all logistic nightmares if you are keen to get as much out of the weekend as you can.

Bring money. Lots of money: While there is a goddamn awful lot to see, the temptation is to spend like a banker (recklessly) only to find you’ve bankrupted yourself ahead of Sunday. My advice: wait till about 4pm. No one wants to lug unsold products home, so this is the time to swoop in on the many bargains you can pick up, some less than half-price. Then, you can pretend you spent top dollar on your mates’ prezzies and they’ll be none the wiser.

Be ready to be amazed, but keep your hands to yourselves, fanboys: The cosplayers are a friendly lot and always ready to pose for piccies. But regardless of their costume, do not see them as something to manhandle and slobber over. Trust me, it happens.

Go see the Ralph McQuarrie signed Star Wars prints: After 4pm on the Sunday, some lucky bugger will have bid on this one-off collection of Star Wars concept art – donated anonymously, with all money raised going to local charity, Acorns Children’s Hospice. Worth checking out if you’re a fan of Star Wars. If you know who Ralph McQuarrie, then you are a fan. If not, then these aren’t the art prints you are looking for. Move along, move along.

Above all, whether travelling with friends, family or solo, have a great time. It beats the Christmas Market, that’s for sure.

MCM Comic Con is held at the NEC from 21^st to 22^nd November. For more on MCM Comic Con (Birmingham), visit http://www.mcmcomiccon.com/birmingham/

For more from the NEC Group, visit https://www.necgroup.co.uk/