O2 Institute Archives - Page 3 of 4 -

January 29, 2018January 28, 2018

BPREVIEW: Dead! @ The Flapper 31.01.18

As part of their The Golden Age Live tour, Dead! will be playing at The Flapper on Wednesday 31st January. Main support for the night (and most of the tour) comes from London punk trio, Kenneths – with Birmingham based bands, A Promise to Forget and Blank Parody also playing at The Flapper.

Tickets are priced at £8 (adv) plus booking fee, as presented by Surprise You’re Dead! Music. Doors open at The Flapper from 7pm. For direct gig info, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

London rock band, Dead!, are no strangers to Birmingham’s music scene, having previously played at Alfie Birds, Scruffy Murphy’s, Subside, and the O2 Institute where they recently supported Deaf Havana. Wednesday 31st January will see them tick off The Flapper from the list of stages they have played in Birmingham, bringing the threatened music venue their own flavour of the punk and indie sound.

Touring the UK relentlessly since 2012, band members Alex Mountford, Sam Matlock, Louis Matlock, and Sam Chappell all met in Southampton, initially booking local shows themselves. But as Dead! began reaching a wider audience, playing shows up and down the UK, their excessive touring schedule eventually paid off and their popularity rose.

Having signed to Infectious Music/BMG and Rise Records in the USA, not bad for a band who have been described as ‘everything that’s wrong with art’, Dead! are kicking off the New Year with another mammoth tour of the UK – on the road promoting their recently released debut album, The Golden Age of Not Even Trying.

Indeed, 2018 could be a great year for Dead! as they reach out to new audiences whilst reacquainting themselves with older ones. Especially as they’ve been tipped by Kerrang! Magazine as one of their Hottest Bands of 2018.

‘The Golden Age of Not Even Trying’ – Dead!

For more on Dead! visit www.theinternetisdead.co.uk

For more on Kenneths, visit www.musicglue.com/kenneths

For more on A Promise to Forget, visit www.facebook.com/apromisetoforget

For more on Blank Parody, visit www.blankparody.com

For more on The Flapper, visit www.theflapper.co.uk

For more on Surprise You’re Dead! Music, visit www.surpriseyouredeadmusic.co.uk

December 7, 2017December 7, 2017

THE GALLERY: Jaws @ O2 Institute 01.12.17

Words by Ashleigh Goodwin / Pics by Phil Drury

After shuffling to the O2 Institute wrapped in my coat and pushing my face into my scarf, I want nothing more than to sit down by a fire and not move for a few hours.

However, upon entering the venue it’s hard not to adopt the enthusiasm from those also attending the Jaws homecoming tonight; it’s infectious, and as large groups of people snake round the walls for the cloakroom and the merch desk there is definitely an air of excitement (and a bit of pre-emptive screaming).

Heading upstairs, South Londoners Social Contract (described by Jaws as “a bloody great new band”) are starting up and have already attracted a decent cluster. People are scattered around, looking appreciatively at the stage, and throughout their set the room begins to fill up with groups at the back making space for dancing whilst flinging their arms around each other and jumping in unison.

Social Contract deliver a really interesting set, incorporating pop, grunge and a danc-ier edge when performing their debut single, ‘Citizen’, which was released earlier this year. The atmospheric pink lights that stream from the stage only solidify their calm and cool performance, whilst singer Josh drawls “yeah, what’s good?” Although their catalogue of releases is small online, I’d definitely check this band out if you’re a fan of Foals or Bombay Bicycle Club.

Marsicians are the second support, and the crowd responds instantly – if you had no knowledge of the tonight’s show you’d think they were the headlines. Self-described ‘upbeat indie meets dirty pop’, Marsicians perform a strong set giving a slightly Circa Waves vibe and on certain tracks, such as ‘Arms of Another’, James Newbigging’s vocals bare similarity to Matt Healy of The 1975. The set includes tracks such as the insanely catchy ‘Too Good’ and ‘Throw Ourselves In’, all of which incorporate memorable guitar riffs or choruses as well as a feel good vibe – making them translate extremely well in a live space.

The aura from the band is something really special too, they look so completely in their element and I didn’t expect to get so into it, which left me wishing I’d checked Marsicians out prior to tonight. Between the overall chaotic crowd and the flying pints (that didn’t seem to faze them) Marsicians wind down with their last song of the set, ‘Absense’ – an atmospheric slow burn that ends in a medley of guitars. And as cliché as it sounds, you can feel the emotion radiating from the stage and it leaves the crowd completely hyped.

Throngs of people now move around the venue, calculating how and where to get the best view for Jaws. Following this I find my way to the balcony, which is pretty much deserted as the floor below is full of bodies pressed together. The crowd sing enthusiastically to Nirvana and The Darkness in the changeover but surprisingly, the biggest reaction is when Skepta’s ‘That’s Not Me’ begins, with a large bulk of the crowd instantly pushing, shoving and manically jumping around. This preludes Jaws, as the lights fade and people instantly take to their mates shoulders despite the O2 Institute security gesturing for them to get down. Jaws’ sign at the back of the stage lights up and the crowd absolutely lose it as the Birmingham born band now take to the stage.

The opening, swirling, guitar riff to ‘Surround You’ starts and people sing along to the beat whilst the crowd go crazy – pushing and swaying relentlessly, as lead singer Connor Schofield greets the audience with “what you saying Birmingham, we good?” By the time Jaws perform their third song, ‘Think Too Much, Feel Too Little’, from their debut album Be Slowly, it’s hard to tear my eyes away from the crowd; it’s like watching something on fast forward, the atmosphere is electric and when an adventurous audience member jumps on stage mid-set, the trio don’t falter once as the guy bounces and sings all whilst getting escorted off by security.

Through ‘Work It Out’ and ‘What We Haven’t Got Yet’ – from Jaws’ Simplicity album (released early November), pits are created before the songs even start; people sway on their mates shoulders, beer, jackets and even a shoe at one point fly through the air. Schofield relays “you guys have a lot of energy, thanks!” before inviting the crowd to sing through tracks such as ‘17’ after announcing “my voice is fucked, sing along”.

Schofield proclaims, “I don’t know what to say, this is amazing, thanks…it’s nice to be here”, and the trio finish with ‘Be Slowly’, before the lights to down and Jaws disappear off stage after a completely mesmeric set, which of course is met by the “we want more” chant. Before there is time to process, inflatable beach balls are thrown into the audience from the balcony, welcoming Jaws back to the stage as they launch into ‘Donut’ with Schofield saying “let’s enjoy the rest of the evening together” before completing a four-strong encore. Jaws finish on ‘Gold’; the crowd finish with the momentum that they have somehow sustained throughout the whole set.

Seeing Jaws headline in such a large venue as the O2 Institute really does solidify the idea of supporting local acts; tonight you can feel a sense of pride, seeing this Birmingham born band receive such an amazing reception. Their two albums are strong standalones, but whether it’s due to the energetic crowd or just the gig atmosphere that gives their songs a fuller sound, Jaws should definitely be caught live if you ever have the chance.

As tonight’s opening band Social Contract said in their set, “it’s the last day of the Jaws tour…it’s been a fucking great time, we had a blast”, and you only have to look at the crowd streaming out of the O2 Institute at the end of the night to know they did too.

Jaws @ O2 Institute 01.12.17 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

For more from Jaws, visit www.jawsjawsjaws.co.uk

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Marsicians – supporting Jaws @ O2 Institute 01.12.17 / Phil Drury – Birmingham Review

For more from Marsicians, visit www.marsicans.co.uk

For more on Social Contract, visit www.soundcloud.com/socialcontractband

For more from Birmingham Promoters, visit www.birminghampromoters.com

For more on the O2 Institute, including venue details, event listings and online ticket sales, visit www.academymusicgroup.com/o2institutebirmingham

September 29, 2017October 1, 2017

BREVIEW: The Black Angels @ O2 Institute 26.09.17

Words by Emily Doyle / Pics by Rob Hadley

London’s self-described ‘sunshine doom’ 5-piece, Mass Datura, serve up a set of melodic prog to begin the evening. But thanks to a surprisingly long queue for entry at the O2 Institute, complete with drug dog patrols outside the venue, their early set is enjoyed by a smaller audience than they deserved.

And while the violin and keys are a little low in the mix, they craft some interesting textures – providing some excellent fodder to ease the crowd into the evening of psych to come (Mass Datura’s debut LP Sentimental Breakdown is out now on All Types of Slime Records, should you want to fall a little deeper down the rabbit hole).

A Place to Bury Strangers slink onto the stage next, in an unassuming manner; they seem satisfied in the knowledge that the majority of the crowd (this reviewer included) have no idea what is to come. The term ‘wall of noise’ is thrown around all too lightly but in this case it is appropriate; intense strobe lighting marks the start of their set, at 8pm sharp, and does not relent throughout the opening track. Within minutes, some audience members are forced to shield their eyes.

Lia Simone Braswell is one of those rare drummer-come-front person characters. Her kit occupies the front and centre of the stage, a vocal mic arched above her. She is a powerhouse. To her left is Oliver Ackermann of Death By Audio fame, whose distorted vocals cut through the maelstrom; to her right is Dion Lunadon, who indulges in some bass guitar abuse to rival the Clash’s Paul Simonon – trusting his bass into the crowd while Ackermann holds his guitar aloft, and the noise fades.

Braswell produces an autoharp. She proceeds to play a haunting tune, accompanied by delicate vocals, while Lunadon and Ackermann tune up. A Place to Bury Strangers launch back into the howling punk-rock of 2009’s ‘I Lived My Life to Stand in the Shadow Of Your Heart’ with renewed energy. In my notepad, I write the word ‘onslaught’ a total of three times at different points during their set.

The lights dim and A Place to Bury Strangers appear to leave the stage, so the crowd migrates towards the bar to refuel before the headline act. Without warning, a driving electronic beat starts up and multi-coloured lasers erupt from a small circle over by the bar; Ackermann has wheeled a flight case into the crowd and the performance continues. Braswell’s aggressive dancing keeps us just far enough back while Lunadon climbs on top of the case, bass guitar in hand. After this extended jam, A Place to Bury Strangers dissolve into the audience once more… The room awaits The Black Angels.

‘Currency’, the opening track from The Black Angels‘ 2017 album, Death Song, is greeted by cheers. The driving two note riff cuts through the O2 Institute’s main room, with what appears to be Beelzebub’s teletext projected onto the back of the stage. The Black Angels exude a quiet, stoic confidence; a stark contrast to the territorial noise-rock of A Place to Bury Strangers. Alex Mass’s shamanic vocals are hypnotic, a perfect counterpoint to the grinding drums from Stephanie Bailey.

2010’s juddering ‘Bad Vibrations’ lulls the crowd into a comfortable, woozy sway. Everything about The Black Angels’ performance is equally comforting and uneasy; each track is full of the warm, swirling psychedelia of their forebears, but also buzzes with a hint of discord. On stage the band are relaxed, but choose to keep their distance with a complete absence of dialogue.

The crowd responds with an equally subdued manner; one girl dares to climb onto a friends shoulders to sway along to ‘You On The Run’ and is met by a surprising amount of disapproving British frowns. The Black Angels certainly aren’t in Texas anymore.

After an encore culminating in their breakthrough hit, ‘Young Mean Dead’, the audience files out of the O2 Institute. On my way out the door I run into Martin of Tamworth two-piece You Dirty Blue, eyeing the Death By Audio pedals on A Place to Bury Strangers’ merch stand (I later learn that grinders emblazoned with the slogan ‘Listen To The Black Angels’ were also on offer). On reflection, we both agree that although The Black Angels were as excellent as you would expect, it was A Place to Bury Strangers that were the band of the night.

Mass Datura – supporting The Black Angels @ O2 Institute 26.09.17 / Rob Hadley – Birmingham Review

For more on Mass Datura, visit www.soundcloud.com/mass-datura

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A Place to Bury Strangers – supporting The Black Angels @ O2 Institute 26.09.17 / Rob Hadley – Birmingham Review

For more on A Place to Bury Strangers, visit www.aplacetoburystrangers.com

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The Black Angels @ O2 Institute 26.09.17 / Rob Hadley – Birmingham Review

For more on The Black Angels, visit www.theblackangels.com

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

For more from Kilimanjaro Live, visit www.kilimanjarolive.co.uk

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

September 28, 2017September 27, 2017

BREVIEW: Mayday Parade – A Lesson in Romantics 10th Anniversary Tour @ O2 Institute 23.09.17

Words & by pics by Eleanor Sutcliffe

Whenever I’m asked to name my top five albums, Mayday Parade’s A Lesson in Romantics always manages to sneak itself onto the list. Whether it’s upbeat pop rock anthems such as ‘Black Cat’ or the drawling melancholy vocals of ‘Miserable At Best’, I’ve always had a soft spot for the album and would frequently listen to it when scoping out new bands became cumbersome. So when I heard that they would be playing a 10 year anniversary tour in celebration of its release, I felt compelled to attend.

First up at the O2 Institute were All Get Out – fronted by singer songwriter, Nathan Hussey. They opened strong, but soon bubbled down to a rather average performance. Musically you cannot fault them – tracks such as ‘Room to Talk’ were stellar and have crept their way onto my Spotify playlist. And their newest release, ‘Nobody Likes a Quitter’, is both half an hour of musical genius and something I cannot recommend enough. Sadly their support set just didn’t reflect this, but if you’re in a gig for the music and that only then these guys are for you.

I last saw With Confidence at this year’s Slam Dunk festival where they delivered a stellar show, and their support at the Mayday Parade gig is no exception. Hailing from Australia, the four piece owned the stage and easily won over the room with their opening song ‘Voldemort’ from their debut album Better Weather.

Their songs are short, loud and to the point – they came to play and that they did. Much of the crowd seemed to already be a fan, with individuals singing along word for word and flinging gifts on to the stage, one of which was a t-shirt consisting of numerous photos of guitarist Luke Rocket’s face. As a band gaining momentum fast, I’m excited to see what the future holds for the four of With Confidence.

Mayday Parade got off to a slightly shaky start, with front man Derek Sanders struggling slightly to keep up with the tempo of ‘Jamie All Over’. Nothing infuriates me more than someone singing offbeat, however the band soon enough redeemed themselves, following up with a flawless run through of each track on A Lesson in Romantics.

Songs like ‘Jersey’ and ‘When I Get Home, You’re So Dead’ were met with a cacophony of applause from the O2 Institute’s packed out main room. Soon enough, as Sanders sat down with a keyboard and belted out the hit song ‘Miserable At Best’, the crowd was reduced to a weeping mess (although with lyrics along the lines of ‘I can live without you but without you I’ll be miserable at best’ this came as no surprise).

Performing against a backdrop of the album artwork, and with the stage stripped back to its bare bones, Mayday Parade were free to let loose. It’s refreshing to watch a band with so much raw energy perform their songs as good as they did ten years ago.

And yet there was still room for surprises, as Sanders appeared onstage with an acoustic guitar and covered Something Corporate’s ‘Punk Rock Princess’ – a surprising choice that paid off well with the crowd. Following this was their song ‘Terrible Things’, which is the type of track you’d listen to on repeat while crying in your room as a teenager. I loved it.

Mayday Parade wrapped up the show with ‘Three Cheers for Five Years’ from their debut Tales Told By Dead Friends EP, ‘Kids in Love’ from their sophomore album Anywhere But Here, and ‘Oh Well, Oh Well’ from their third self-titled album. I was impressed at how well thought out the set was; album shows can be a tad predictable at times, so a set that included extra material without distracting from the main purpose of the gig was a plus.

Overall, Mayday Parade’s A Lesson in Romantics 10^th anniversary celebration show was everything I’d expected and more. Some albums simply never go out of style, and thank God this is one of them.

All Get Out – supporting Mayday Parade @ O2 Institute 23.09.17 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

For more from All Get Out, visit www.allgetoutmusic.com

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With Confidence – supporting Mayday Parade @ O2 Institute 23.09.17 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

For more on With Confidence, visit www.withconfidenceband.com

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Mayday Parade @ O2 Institute 23.09.17 / Eleanor Sutcliffe – Birmingham Review

For more on Mayday Parade, visit www.maydayparade.com

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

For more from SJM Concerts/Gigs and Tours, visit www.gigsandtours.com

September 23, 2017September 23, 2017

BPREVIEW: The Black Angels @ O2 Institute 26.09.17

Words by Ed King

On Tuesday 26^th September, The Black Angels land in Birmingham at the 02 Institute – performing live, with support from A Place to Bury Strangers + Mass Datura.

Doors open at 7pm with tickets priced at £19.50, as presented by Kilimanjaro Live and This Is Tmrw. For direct gig info, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

Out on the road with their fifth studio album, Death Song, The Black Angels are in Birmingham as part of only a handful of UK dates on their Death March Tour. Sandwiched in-between a gig in Glasgow and another in Bristol, the O2 Institute in Birmingham is the second date the Texan psych-rockers will be playing in Blighty. Although The Black Angels did play at the Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia 2017, but who’s going to prove any of that actually happened. Or maybe it never stopped…

Four years since their last LP, Death Song came out on Partisan Records in April this year, with an extensive North American tour introducing the album stateside. A clear hat tip to the Velvet Underground – as in ‘The Black Angel’s Death Song’, from that record they made with that blonde lass – the new album from The Black Angels has been described by Phil Mongredien in The Guardian as a ‘menacing return to form’, further stating the 11 track LP harks back to ‘the threatening drones that made their first two so powerful’.

With a line up that makes the bill sound like a blueprint for Jonestown II, The Black Angels are supported by New York noise-rockers, A Place to Bury Strangers – alongside London’s self described ‘sunshine doom’ four piece, Mass Datura. So a nice quiet night in then… pass the shrooms and absinthe, Franz.

Having munched enough blotter acid to stop a heard of migrating springbok, Google it, I’m not sure another dark spiral is what this piece of psychedelic driftwood needs on a Tuesday.

But with only three dates in the UK, if you want a sneaky quarter of The Black Angels then you’d better get your game face on. Bit of a coup that they’re coming to Birmingham. In the meantime here’s a tiny taste of their new album:

‘Currency’ – The Black Angels

The Black Angels comes to the O2 Institute on 26^th September, with support from A Place to Bury Strangers + Mass Datura – as presented by Kilimanjaro Live and This Is Tmrw. For direct gig info, including venue details and online ticket sales, click here.

For more on The Black Angels, visit www.theblackangels.com

For more on A Place to Bury Strangers, visit www.aplacetoburystrangers.com

For more on Mass Datura, visit www.soundcloud.com/mass-datura

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

For more from Kilimanjaro Live, visit www.kilimanjarolive.co.uk

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