It’s fair to say that if the rest of MV have never heard of it, Damian is there to tells us “you’d probably have enjoyed it.” Or put another way, the only way you’ll ever see any mention of the Killers or Franz Ferdinand on MVM is if Damian sends a review in. There is some good stuff here too, mind you.
Just over eighty gigs this year so interesting to narrow it down to twenty for the year
FFS – Franz Ferdinand Sparks – Barrowlands, Glasgow – August.
Best show of the year by miles. Superb venue, superb crowd and two bands enjoying the stage together. Colaborations and their own songs wonderfully executed
U2 – 03 Dublin – November
Only show that came near to FFS. U2 stripped back as stripped back can be in a 14000 capacity stadium
Playing at home their most personal album to date. Breathtaking at times
Andy White – Kitchen Garden Café, Birmingham – April
Northern Ireland Troubadour now an Australian resident paying his annual visit to Brum. Wonderfully intimate show enhanced with a scratch choir of fans from Wales. Requested my fave song and he played it such is the mettle of this artist
Adam Ant Copper Rooms – Coventry – April
Excellent gig showcasing the debut album Dirk Wears White Sox from 1979 which includes the magnificent Car Trouble. Intense show where hecklers were given short shrift.
Graham Parker and Brindley Schwarz – Huntingdon Hall, Worcester – May
Great show from the Rumour stalwarts in the fantastic setting of a former chapel dating from 1773. Solo stuff and a few classics make a cracking night
Tir Na Nog – Kitchen Garden Café, Birmingham – May
Irish prog folk duo sharing tracks from albums from forty years ago and recent releases. Wonderful version of Nick Drake`s Free Ride thrown in for good measure
Brandon Flowers – O2 Academy, Birmingham – May
Killers front man delivers a mixture of solo and band standards in a Vegas style
Ricky Warwick and Damien Johnson – Iron Road Bar, Evesham – June
Cracker of a show from probably the most hardworking guys in Rock. Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders and Almighty anthems, alongside Rock standards and heartfelt stories. Superb night
Counting Crows – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton – June
One off festival warm up show in a rammed venue which had the crowd eating out of Adam Duritz`s hand
Forgotten how good this band were.
Anvil – 02 Academy 3, Birmingham – July
Canadian Heavy Metal trio on fine form in this intimate venue. Worth the admission price alone to see Steve “the Lips” Kudlow playing a guitar solo with a dildo
Sonics- The Library, Institute, Birmingham – July
Sixties Garage rock band blitz Brum with their no nonsense in your face rock n roll. Would leave bands half their age in their wake
British Lion – Rainbow Warehouse, Birmingham – August
Side project of Iron Maiden`s bassist and principal song writer. Straight up British hard rock at it’s best
Killing Joke – Institute, Birmingham- October
The return of the classic line up and with Jaz Coleman at his menacing best an extremely intense show.
A wonderful tribute to departed local boy in the shape of Love Like Blood was a classy move from the band
Eagles of Death Metal – Institute, Birmingham- November
Unexpectedly funky show from this Californian band with plenty of 70`s style Dad dancing from Jesse Hughes.
A week before the tragic events in Paris.
Echo and the Bunnymen / The Buzzcocks – Ricoh Stadium, Coventry – December
Excellent double bill, Buzzcocks on fine form with all their classic three minute ditties followed by Mr McCulloch on fine form spilling out his usual acerbic wit
Black Star Riders – Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton – December
Top show from a top band in form. Very likely the hardest working band at present
The Lurkers – The Cellar, Rainbow, Birmingham – October
70`s London punk band led by the irrepressible Arturo Bassick. Cracking show highlighting wonderful tracks such as Come and reminisce if you think you’re old enough and New Guitar in town. Arturo could be a stand up comedian if he packed in the day job
“Weird Al” Yancovic – O2 Academy, Birmingham – October
Mixture of Video clips, costume changes, parodies and polkas. Two hours of sing along tunes and hilarity. Couldn’t help but love this show
Crow Black Chicken – Robin 2, Bilston – February
Three piece Blues rock band from Cork, Ireland. Superb songs, great guitar playing and humour between numbers. Lead vocalist Christy sported a very fetching Hawaiian shirt as well
The Last Great Dreamers – Iron Road Bar, Evesham – April
Wonderful Retro glam rock from this four piece. Good old fashioned Rock n roll played how it should be
So another great year of live music and so looking forward to what 2016 has to offer
