Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2007.
With a new album, 13th Star, due in January, it seems appropriate that Fish should visit a favourite stomping ground to showcase some new songs and weave it around the 20th anniversary of the Clutching At Straws record.
Arriving on stage to The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Fish opened the set with the provocative Slainte Mhaith before going full steam into the new Circle Line and the confrontational Square Go.
The new songs were well received by the capacity crowd, as was the older material which included the wonderful Hotel Hobbies, Warm Wet Circles and That Time Of The Night.
Fish continued to thrill the crowd during the two-hour set as he delved deep into recent chaotic circumstances with the bleak Dark Star. Further songs, including Sugar Mice and White Russians were given a fresh look.
An excellent night was rounded off with the encores of Cliché and the bouncy crowd pleaser Incomminicado.
Ian D. Hall