Tag Archives: Carling Academy

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

 

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2008.

Twenty two fantastic songs played at breakneck speed in a head-turning 90 minutes.  If there is any other band which can do this and do it superbly well then I have yet to see them.

The Stranglers are one of the great survivors of the British music scene and even with drummer Jet Black recovering from a heart attack, which has limited his appearances this year, the band still give some of the best live performances to ever appreciative audiences.

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(166 words, estimated 40 secs reading time)

Megadeth, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Despite an early curfew, and following on from two support bands, Megadeth stormed through one of the tightest and visually perfect sets to have graced the Carling Academy in a long time.

Opening the set with Sleepwalker from last year’s release United Abominations, and Wake Up Dead from the classic album Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?, Megadeth proved the old adage that less is most definitely more by just letting the guitars do all the talking.

Megadeth, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(166 words, estimated 40 secs reading time)

Magnum, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

 

Whenever Magnum return home to the Midlands you are assured a gig to remember, one full of pomp , incredible guitar work and lyrics that stand the test of time.

Opening the first set with When We Were Younger from the latest album Princess Alice and the Broken Arrow, Magnum pulled out all the stops to thrill a capacity crowd. The audience greeted every song enthusiastically, including the seminal Les Mort Dansant, All England’s Eyes and the whole of the album Wings of Heaven, which was being recorded live to mark its 20th anniversary.

Magnum, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(148 words, estimated 36 secs reading time)

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. September 2006

Following the release of their stunning new album Suite XVI just a few weeks ago, the Stranglers, now back to a four piece, thrilled a dedicated an eager crowd at the Birmingham Academy.

Opening the set with the riff-crunching5 Minutes, J.J Burnell, Baz Warne, Dave Greenfield and Jet Black rocked and rampaged their way through an evening of old favourites and new material.

Classics such as Peaches, Always the Sun and the ever popular Golden Brown were given their deserved airing alongside Spectre of Love, Unbroken and I Hate You.

The Stranglers, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(147 words, estimated 35 secs reading time)

The Alarm, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. July 2004.

Some years ago The Alarm were a band you either loved or loathed. The public mostly loved them, whereas certain areas of the establishment didn’t. Now, 20 years after their first album and almost completely new line up, The Alarm are back with music and lyrics that are just as potent as their early songs.

The new material matches up perfectly on stage with old favourites like Knife Edge and Marching On. The set opened with Coming Home from the new album In the Poppy Fields and onto Absolute Reality before heading back to the new record for Right Back Where I started From and the stunning Unexplained.

The Alarm, Gig Review. Carling Academy, Birmingham. full post

(221 words, estimated 53 secs reading time)