two nights in birmingham
I was lucky enough to make two trips back to my homeland of Birmingham last week, and not just to see the family...
On Tuesday I was at the Carling Academy in Dale End to see a new band called The Suzukis who were supporting The View. We arrived just in time to see them take to the stage with possibly the loudest PA and backline system they've ever been let use - they blew our heads off. Imagine Queens Of The Stone Age from Wigan and you're on your way there... They're still writing and recording so wont be releasing anything proper for a while but should be touring loads over the summer and getting an EP out too. If you want an idea of what they're like, here's a video they made on the side last month.
After they came off stage I went back to see them in the dressing room and had a chat about the show. I'd been up to see them in Manchester a few weeks back, when they played to about 100 rather disinterested looking people on a student club night, tonight there was almost 2000 in the audience and they were clapping and singing along like it was their new favourite band. They said it had been the best gig of their lives, and definitely the biggest. It was brilliant to see them so vibed up... or as vibed up as they ever get... you'll know what I mean when you see them. The lead singer Chris has perfected the Liam Gallagher 'i dont give a fuck' frontman technique, and way he sings new song "Never Been So Excited" (which is very sarcastic and about pilled up clubbers going out and thinking everything is great when actually it really isnt) i just find hilarious...
We then moved over to see The View in their dressing room before they went on stage. They were in good spirits and
took a few mins out to film a message for their US fans apologising for having to miss some shows over there due to VISA issues...
They played a blinder onstage. Face For The Radio is clearly the favourite live, the fans sung along to EVERY word... you expect that from the singles but not a random album track like this. Really hope it's going to be the next single... if it is it will be All Over The Radio..
Went to check out their new tourbus after the show, I always find those things amazing. Sat about playing guitar, drinking and chatting tilll some early hour when me and my fellow Columbian Ailsa realised we had better head back to the hotel before being kidnapped and taken off to Bristol for the next show!
On Friday night I returned to the Birmingham Academy to see The Little Flames support the Arctic Monkeys. I've been lucky enough to see both band numerous times recently. The bands are genuinly really good friends and have toured together from the very beginning. Obviously what's happened with the Arctics is crazy (not that they dont deserve it) but it hasnt changed the bands' friendship one bit. The Arctics could ask anybody to support them on tour, and most bands would kill to do it... but they always take the Flames cos they love them! Miles Kane (guitarist from the Little Flames) also plays on the Arctics new album and I was made up to see him join the band onstage for their encore to play new song '505'.
The Little Flames played a brilliant set and then came out with us to watch the AMs, it was a top show although I was a bit annoyoed at the football crowd/yobo audience that decided to talk all the way through the new songs... after a while we decided to move into the wings and watch the rest from the side of stage. Got some great photos:
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