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October 15, 2018October 15, 2018

BPREVIEW: Editors @ O2 Academy 19.10.18

Words by Ed King

On Friday 19^th October, Editors play the O2 Academy Birmingham – on the road promoting their sixth studio album, Violence.

Doors open at the O2 Academy Birmingham from 7pm, with tickets priced at £25.00 (plus booking fees) – as presented by SJM Concerts/Gigs and Tours and Goldenvoice. For direct gig information, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

N.B. At the time of writing, Editors’ gig at the O2 Academy Birmingham has sold out – for details of the band’s full touring schedule, across the UK and beyond, click here.

Likened to most bands that ever donned a frown and a trench coat, it can be easy to pigeon hole Editors. Cue comparison to Interpol… But go back over their now six album strong portfolio and you’ll find an intelligent evolution of sounds, from a band who arguably defined their own genre rather than being pulled down by the indie rock undercurrent or slipping into store bought comparisons. NME tried once, with a description I won’t bother to repeat, but with Editors the old adage is the best – the music speaks for itself.

Returning to the venue they opened back in September 2009 (queue jumping The Twang and Ocean Colour Scene to christen the O2 Academy Birmingham’s new Bristol Street main stage) Editors are on the road promoting Violence – the nine track hybrid of dark rock and electronica, with the thumbprints of razor edged pop that the band do so well. Cue comparison to Depeche Mode…

Released in March 2018 through PIAS Records, Violence has Editors sharing the production credit with Leo Abrahams – the guitarist and producer who has played with Imogen Heap, Pulp and Ed Harcourt, and produced artists including Carl Barât, Frightened Rabbit and Paulo Nuiti.

The album’s lead single, ‘Magazine’, was released to favourable reviews in January – a track that had been bouncing around Editors’ songbook since The Weight of Your Love, but has only found it’s home with the new ensemble. Further singles ‘Hallelujah (So Low)’ and ‘Darkness at the Door’ were released in February and April respectively, with the album’s latest single and opening track, ‘Cold’, released in October.

The O2 Academy Birmingham ‘homecoming’ gig sold out back in August, not a huge surprise. But there are more UK dates across October if you have the desire and designated driver free to get there – and if you live in mainland Europe, Editors will no doubt be on a festival bill somewhere near you soon.

Otherwise settle down in your plush Chesterfield armchair, look meaningful through a sideways glance, pick your favourite vacuous celebrity or BS infused politician, and…

‘Magazine’ – Editors

Editors play the O2 Academy Birmingham on Friday 19^th October – as presented by SJM Concerts/Gigs and Tours and Goldenvoice. For direct gig information, including venue details and links to online ticket sales, click here.

For more on Editors, including full tours details, visit www.editors-official.com

For more from SJM Concerts/Gigs and Tours, including further event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.gigsandtours.com

For more from Goldenvoice, including further event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.goldenvoice.com

For more from the O2 Academy Birmingham, including venue details and further event listings, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybirmingham

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NOT NORMAL – NOT OK is a campaign to encourage safety and respect within live music venues, and to combat the culture of sexual assault and aggression – from dance floor to dressing room.

To sign up to NOT NORMAL – NOT OK, click here. To know more about the NOT NORMAL – NOT OK sticker campaign, click here.

August 31, 2018August 31, 2018

BPREVIEW: Rews @ The Flapper 17.11.18

Words by Ed King

On Saturday 17^th November, Rews will be performing at The Flapper – rounding off their selected UK tour at Birmingham’s iconic live music venue.

Doors open at 7pm, with tickets priced at £10 (+bf) – available from Friday 31^st August. For direct event information, including full tour details and links to online ticket sales, click here.

There are certain press release that raise a smile at Birmingham Review. True, lots of them have the words ‘free’ and ‘bar’ in them, but the one that landed on our desk a few days ago was even better than bourbon for gratis. If such a thing were possible (it is, just).

Rews are coming back to Birmingham, playing at The Flapper on Saturday 17^th November. And with only 38 days after this gig until The Big Day we feel the expression ‘Christmas come early’ is entirely justified.

If you don’t know who Rews are… a sharp intake of breath… they’re a high octane ‘rock powerhouse’ that have drawn comparisons to Royal Blood (but with better melodies). Made up of Shanua Tohill (guitar vocals) and Collette Williams (percussion, vocals) Rews were the first UK signing on Marshall Records – coming out punching from the legendary rock brand’s corner with their debut album, Pyro, in November 2017.

A string of singles, tours, and festival appearances followed Rews’ extremely confident debut, gathering some well deserved attention from the rock focused media and then pretty much every pundit with a brain at the BBC (including Mark Radcliffe, who cited Rews as one of his highlights from Glastonbury 2017). To read our Birmingham Review of Pyro, click here.

One eight planet dance later and Rews are back in Birmingham, rounding off a five date UK tour at The Flapper – the venue where Birmingham Review first saw them back in February ’17. And it is live that you really want to experience this band, with a ferocious energy and endearing candour flooding off stage every time we’ve shared a room them – click here to read our Birmingham Review of Rews at The Flapper, at the Actress & Bishop, and at the Hare & Hounds.

But things got better and better as we scrolled down the aforementioned press release, because there’s a new single on the table too – ‘Can You Feel It?’ will be released by Rews on 21^st September, through Marshall Records. An absolute blinder, this is has been one of our favourite tracks from Rews since we first heard it, with the soon to be set free single getting added production value from Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me the Horizon, Don Broco, Lower Than Atlantis).

We’ve had a sneak peak of the new ‘Can You Feel It?’ too and it’s PROPER AWESOME. Seriously, just wait – as soon as we can share something we will. But in the interim you can keep yourself happy/distracted with the last two singles to come from Rews – check out ‘Your Tears’ and ‘Shine’ below.

Here’s a message from Shauna Tohill about the soon to be released ‘Can You Feel It?’ too:

“Can You Feel it? is a song that takes a positive spin on hurt feelings. It encourages the listener to ‘let it out’, ‘dance’, ’sing’ and not be afraid to explore how they feel in order to better themselves & learn to love again. It was inspired and written during a period of heartbreak and describes the stages of grief that we endure.”

‘Your Tears’ – Rews

‘Shine’ – Rews

Rews come to The Flapper in Birmingham on Saturday 17^th November – as presented by Metropolis Music/Live Nation, in association with Birmingham Review. For direct gig information, including full tour details and links to online ticket sales, click here.

‘Can You Feel it?’ will be released by Rews on 21^st September through Marshall Records. For more on Rews, visit www.rewsmusic.com

For more from Metropolis Music, visit www.metropolismusic.com

For more on The Flapper, including venue details and further event listings, visit www.theflapper.co.uk

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NOT NORMAL – NOT OK is a campaign to encourage safety and respect within live music venues, and to combat the culture of sexual assault and aggression – from dance floor to dressing room.

To sign up to NOT NORMAL – NOT OK, click here. To know more about the NOT NORMAL – NOT OK sticker campaign, click here.

May 22, 2018May 25, 2018

ELEANOR’S PICK: Slam Dunk Festival 2018 (Midlands) @ NEC 28.05.18

Words by Eleanor Sutcliffe

Slam Dunk Festival 2018 (Midlands) comes to the NEC in Birmingham on 28^th May. For a direct event information, including venue details and online ticket sales, visit www.gentingarena.co.uk/whats-on/slam-dunk-festival

As one of the most anticipated dates in the UK pop punk calendar, it’s safe to say Slam Dunk Festival are taking no prisoners with this year’s line up. With a bevy of bands and artists descending upon the NEC in just under a week’s time, I took it upon myself to comb through the roster and select a number that I personally love.

Holding Absence / Rock Sound Breakout Stage

Birmingham favourites, Holding Absence, are set to make their Slam Dunk debut this year on the Rock Sound Breakout Stage. Having recently announced the departure of guitarist Feisal El-Khazragi, it will be one of their first performances without him in their line up. But with Holding Absence recently nominated for Best British Breakthrough Band at the 2018 Heavy Metal Awards, plus playing a string of dates supporting Being as an Ocean across Europe in June, they’re certainly not letting El-Khazragi’s departure slow them down.

Represented by Sharptone Records – who bought us the likes of Don Broco, Miss May I and We Came As Romans – the Cardiff based band also recently toured and released a co-EP with Loathe titled This Is As One, which earned them numerous positive reviews from critics for tracks such as ‘Saint Cecilia’.

Holding Absence perform at 3:30pm on the Rock Sound Breakout Stage. For more on Holding Absence, visit www.holdingabsence.com

‘Saint Cecilia’ – Holding Absence

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PVRIS / Jägermeister Main Stage

Having recently performed at Coachella, PVRIS will be returning to Birmingham hot off the heels of the American leg of their All We Know of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell tour – promoting their latest album of the same name.

Lynn Gunn’s dreamy vocals, combined with the band’s heavy rock influences, have earned them a dedicated fanbase and won them Rock Sound’s Artist of the Year Award back in 2017. Here’s hoping PVRIS also perform some tracks from their debut album, White Noise, with songs such as ‘St. Patrick’ and ‘My House’ being on my personal wish list.

PVRIS perform at 8:15 pm on the Jägermeister Main Stage. For more on PVRIS, visit www.pvris.com

‘Anyone Else’ – PVRIS

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Taking Back Sunday / Monster Energy Main Stage

Returning to Slam Dunk for the 3^rd time, Taking Back Sunday were in the first wave of bands to be confirmed to at perform this year’s festival.

Having released their 7^th album, Tidal Waves, in September 2016, and parting ways with their original guitarist Eddie Rayes last month, it will be interesting to see if we get to hear any new material from the group. Although I’m hoping to hear classic tracks such as ‘You’re So Last Summer’ and ‘MakeDamnSure’ as well as songs such as ‘You Can’t Look Back’ from their latest album live.

Taking Back Sunday perform at 8:05pm on the Monster Energy Main Stage. For more on Taking Back Sunday, visit www.takingbacksunday.com

‘You’re So Last Summer’ – Taking Back Sunday

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Astroid Boys / Impericon Stage

The Impericon stage will be hosting hardcore grime band Astroid Boys, who have always delivered impressive shows in Birmingham. Growing steadily since their formation back in 2012, they were bought to my attention after being featured in BBC Radio 4’s documentary Operation Grime, which tailed them on a tour across the UK.

Astroid Boys‘ music is not for the faint hearted – expect brutal lyrics addressing issues such as racism, mashed with hardcore and grime influences to create a sound you probably have never heard before… but will just as probably want to listen to again.

Astroid Boys perform at 2:20 pm on the Impericon Stage. For more on Astroid Boys, visit www.astroid-boys.com

‘Foreigners’ – Astroid Boys

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As It Is / Signature Brew Stage

Announcing the August release of their latest album, The Great Depression, only a few days ago, Brighton based As It Is will be headlining the Signature Brew stage this year.

A band who’ve amassed a dedicated fan base with tracks such as ‘Dial Tones’ and ‘Hey Rachel’, their material is catchy, easy to listen to and fun – however it’s unfair to assume they lack a more serious side. Their latest release, ‘The Wounded World’, delves into a much darker side of their ever-expanding noise, having been cited by the band as a ‘new era’ of their music which expands on ‘the societal romanticisation of depression’ and ‘the disrepair of present-day human connection’.

As ever with this band, though, As It Is approach their subject with the respect and sensitivity it warrants – referencing their new material as a means for them to work to create a positive change for mental health.

As It Is perform at 8:30pm on the Signature Brew Stage. For more from As It Is, visit www.asitisofficial.bandcamp.com

‘The Wounded World’ – As It Is

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Luke Rainsford / The Key Club Acoustic Stage

The Key Club Acoustic Stage is hosting a stellar line up of bands and artists, including Birmingham’s Luke Rainsford – combining upbeat guitar with gut wrenching vocals, making music that is hard hitting but a real treat to listen to.

Having toured the UK extensively since the release of I Feel At Home With You in February 2017, and having recently released his latest EP, I Just Don’t Deserve To Be Loved, in April 2018, Rainsford’s music deals with difficult issues such as loss, bereavement, low self esteem and mental health. Good, honest stuff.

Luke Rainsford performs at 4:15 pm on The Key Club Acoustic Stage. For more on Luke Rainsford, visit www.lukerainsford.bandcamp.com

‘Home Safe’ – Luke Rainsford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltnvyxgWovs

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Stand Atlantic / Rock Sound Breakout Stage

Australian trio, Stand Atlantic, will also be making their Slam Dunk debut this year, having recently toured with other performers such as ROAM and Knuckle Puck. With their latest EP, Sidewinder, reaching an impressive #10 on Rock Sound’s Top 50 Albums of 2017, and having been cited by Kerrang! as one of the hottest bands of 2018, Stand Atlantic are proving they’re a force to be reckoned with.

Claiming influences from Blink-182 to The 1975, they’re certainly considered a mixed bag musically too – but in the best possible way. Trust me. Go and listen to ‘Coffee at Midnight’. You can thank me later.

Stand Atlantic perform at 6:00 pm on the Rock Sound Breakout Stage. For more on Stand Atlantic, visit www.facebook.com/StandAtlantic

‘Coffee at Midnight’ – Stand Atlantic

Slam Dunk Festival 2018 (Midlands) comes to the NEC in Birmingham on 28^th May. For direct information on Slam Dunk Festival 2018, including details on all the events happening across the UK, visit www.slamdunkmusic.com

For a direct info and online ticket sales for Slam Dunk Festival 2018 (Midlands), visit www.gentingarena.co.uk/whats-on/slam-dunk-festival

For more from the Genting Arena, including full events listing and venue details, visit www.gentingarena.co.uk

May 18, 2018

THE GALLERY: Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18

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’).

First 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.

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.

Opening 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.

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

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

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

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

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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

May 9, 2018May 9, 2018

BPREVIEW: Rita Ora @ O2 Academy Birmingham 16.05.18

Words by Eleanor Sutcliffe

On the 16^th 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 16^th 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