pop live review

Live Review: Paul Heaton / Billy Bragg – The O2, London 17.12.2022
Words by Adrian Peel Photos by Maria Escobedo Though this was the last date of a Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott nationwide tour, the first inkling I got that Jacqui might not be appearing was when Billy Bragg (the second support act after Leicester’s Uncle Frank) mentioned Paul Heaton on a couple of occasions, which made me wonder, “Why is he saying …

Live Review: The Feeling – Town Hall, Birmingham 29.10.2022 Plus Gallery
The Feeling are back after a 5 year break and they’re starting their nights with a little bit of Canadian pop-rock courtesy of Altameda. This Americana style pop-rock 4 piece provide a lot of fun, upbeat tracks during their short time on stage and the head banging pianist is a unique addition to any band. …
Live Review: Sigrid – o2 Academy, Birmingham 06.11.2022
It’s 10 to 8 on a cold Sunday night in November and there’s still a massive queue for the main room of the o2 Academy. First act of the night is Tommy LeFroy, a female duo with a hippy pop sound that make for a great start to the evening. After a less than impressive …

Live Review: Paolo Nutini – o2 Academy, Birmingham 28.10.2022
40 minutes before Paolo Nutini is due on stage and there is still a sizeable queue outside the o2 Academy in Birmingham. This is a sold out show and the main room is heaving with people trying to get wherever they possibly can to see the show. It’s been 5 years since Paolo has been …

Live Review: Westerman – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham 24.10.2022 Plus Gallery
Laura Misch starts the evening off and although you can sense her nerves on stage through her breathing, they don’t effect her voice at all. The crowd a silent – pin drop silent – and between the music filling the room and performance going on on stage, the support act feel more like an art …

Live Review: Cassia – o2 Institute, Birmingham 19.10.2022 Plus Gallery
This Wednesday night starts off on the right foot with Dude, My Dude & Eli Smart preparing us with some classic indie pop. Eli seems to have more of a rockier edge and alternates between giving both ‘The Feeling‘ & ‘The Beatles‘ vibes with a little of their own personality thrown in too. The o2 …

Live Review: Will Young – Symphony Hall, Birmingham 15.10.2022 Plus Gallery
Cheers for Will Young fill Birmingham’s Symphony Hall as a spotlight lights a lone microphone in front of the burgundy curtains hiding the stage. A clip of his Pop Idol audition plays after an a cappella snippet of ‘Evergreen‘ and as the curtains pull back, we’re greeted by Will Young and his band; this is …

Live Review: HowTheLightGetsIn Festival – Kenwood House, Hampstead London 01.10.2022 – 02.10.2022
My pace quickens and acorns crunch underfoot. I’ve got the fear. Like the return of a recurring nightmare, I’m late for my lectures, again. October will always herald a new term, a new start and the anticipation of mind-expanding adventures – so welcome to the university of Hampstead aka HowTheLightGetsIn festival. My first lesson is: …

Live Review: Joe Jackson – London Palladium, London 07.08.22
School was cruel. Blessed with an abundant record box of singles I had a passport to the parties but it came at a cost. Spending my paper-round money on vinyl but still clad in jumble sale garb didn’t go unnoticed by my mates, So a throwaway jibe about me being “square” stuck fast. To be …

Live Review: Christina Aguilera / Union J – The O2, London 05.08.2022
Words by Adrian Peel Hailed by opening act Union J as “the greatest voice of our generation”, Christina Aguilera stopped off at the O2 as part of a short UK tour – her first since the pandemic – which was due to culminate with a headline appearance at Brighton Pride on Saturday, August 6th. Images of the sultry singer looking every inch the superstar …