Live | NME Awards Tour | Birmingham

The annual NME Awards Tour, which felt more like a mini festival, returned to Birmingham to showcase the best indie acts around at the moment.

Local Brummie boys Peace kicked of the show proudly waving the flag for B-Town. They started with some relatively new songs; ‘Higher Than The Sun’ and ‘Scumbag’ which had the crowd enthusiastically swaying. However, as soon as soon as the opening riff of ‘Bloodshake’ was heard, the crowd erupted into a mass of energy. Considering the fact that the last time Peace played in their hometown it was at a significantly smaller venue, it’s not surprising that Harrison was “struggling to get [his] head around it.” Peace looked at home on the big stage and not at all out of place. They looked like true rockstars; so much so that it wasn't hard to imagine them headlining the whole show! Peace have got a great bunch of songs under their belt. From the slower ‘California Daze’ to the more upbeat ‘Follow Baby,’ they were performed with effortless precision and were received exceptionally well. Their short but sweet set proved that Peace are ready some kind of music-world domination.

Palma Violets were next on. After making the front cover of NME twice even before the release of an album, it was easy to assume that this band had been over hyped. However, these four lads lived up to the immensely high expectations. Their set fast, furious, and seriously rock ‘n’ roll. It was impossible not to get caught up in the moment and start fist pumping, moshing or screaming the lyrics to crowd favourite, ‘Best of Friends.’ Palma Violets, heavily influenced by the likes of The Libertines and The Ramones, proved themselves at the show to be everything they were supposed to be and more. Their debut album is set for release later this month and will no doubt be very promising.

Miles Kane kept the energy flowing with his set. Miles’ 60s inspired songs really got the crowd dancing as Miles’ passion and energy was effortlessly transferred onto the audience. Amongst the classic favourites like ‘Inhaler’ and ‘Rearrange,’ Miles performed new songs such as ‘Give Up’ which were received with the same enthusiasm. Judging by the new tracks and the crowd’s reaction, his second album is set to be a corker. Miles finished his lively set with some audience participation. He had the whole room chanting the ‘Woah ahh’ parts from another favourite, ‘Come Closer.’

Django Django had a lot to live up to if they were going to top the previous three acts. Although the crowd dynamic had changed slightly, the band won over the doubters with their innovative sound and captivating live performance. After the last two hours of guitar rock it was refreshing to hear the psychedelic sounds from the band’s critically acclaimed self titled debut album. Django Django are perhaps the most pioneering band on the bill. They set the scene with ‘Hail Bop’ with its intricate beats and Beach Boys-esque sweet harmonies. Although borderline impossible to ‘mosh’ to Django Django just like the crowd had been doing for the previous acts, they were equally engaged by favourites ‘Storm’ and ‘Waveforms.’ Their set finished on a high as the perfect harmonies along with the incredibly catchy riff of ‘WOR’ filled the room.

A congratulations is in order for NME for putting on another spectacular show.

Published in Counteract Magazine here

The Vaccines + DIIV live in Birmingham

It’s been an immensely successful year for The Vaccines. The band didn’t succumb to the inevitable pressures surrounding the dreaded second album, and instead produced a second work of indie art. The rightfully titled ‘Coming of Age’ appropriately reflects the bands own growth in maturity musically. Birmingham welcomed them with opened arms when they played at the O2 academy nearing the end of their UK tour.

New Yorkers, DIIV were the last to support The Vaccines in an attempt to warm up the continuously growing crowd. They successfully eliminated any aggravating boredom that was taking over the fans as they anxiously awaited their teenage icons. DIIV’s 70s psychedelic and 80s new wave sounds infused with a generous helping of 90s grunge echoed throughout the academy, grabbing the attention of the audience.

Chaos ensued as soon as The Vaccines took to the stage. To say ‘the crowd went wild’ would be a gross understatement.  From the word go, the crowd were fist pumping to ‘No Hope’ and going downright crazy for ‘Wreckin’ Bar.’ The sing-alongs to the slower songs, ‘Wetsuit’ and ‘A Lack of Understanding’ wouldn’t have been out of place in a football stadium! As if the crowd weren’t sweating and bruised enough, after emphatic screams of ‘The Vaccines,’ they came back for an incredible encore where favourites ‘Bad Mood,’ ‘Wolf Pack’ and ‘Norgaard’ caused even more enjoyable havoc.

The Vaccines are such a timeless rock ‘n’ roll band; it’s borderline impossible not to let the infectious rhythms of their indie anthems take over your body. Like the rock and roll stars they are, their whole set was energetic from start to finish and they performed with effortless style. Boys, you may be no Frankie Avalon, but you are without doubt somebody’s hero.

Front man, Justin Young, interrupted the set to tell us how the last time they’d played in the main room at Birmingham’s O2 academy they were the first of four support bands. This just amplifies how much they’ve grown as a band in just two years. With an arena tour announced for spring next year, The Vaccines are only going to get bigger and better.

Published in Counteract Magazine 

Backstage at the Vaccines

Last night was pretty surreal!

I met Jack, the organiser of Chazzstock, after the Vaccines gig, and he'd amazingly sorted me out with a back stage pass. Ever since Chazzstock things have been really crazy and it's thanks to Jack that I've been able to do all of this. Thank you so much!

A couple of years ago, I'd be the crazed fan waiting in the freezing cold at the stage door for hours after a gig. Now, I get to chat with fantastic musicians and have intelligent conversations with them, rather than just melt and awkwardly ask for photos (although I couldn't resist getting a photo with the guitarist, Freddie).

I look pretty dishelved from moshing all night!
Freiddie (left) Jack (right)

I met Charlie's mum which was really special. It was really moving to hear that this gig was the first she'd been to since he passed away, and the last concert she saw him play was at the o2 in Birmingham when Ou Est Le Swimming Pool supported La Roux. It's weird to think that I was at that gig too. She seemed so genuinely grateful that I went to Chazzstock and she thanked me for my review of the festival too. What a really brave and lovely lady. 

All in all, it was a really amazing night. The gig itself was, as always, phenomenal. The Vaccines still remain in my top 5 live band ever. I'm still bruised, battered and aching but at least I'm not covered in my own and other people's sweat any more.  That's what gigging is all about! I'll be writing a review of it for Counteract Magazine so stay tuned.