Reviews | Counteract

Samuel Lambeth October 26, 2018October 27, 2018 Babyshambles, Johnny Borrell, Olympus Sleeping, Razorlight, The Cribs, The Futureheads, The Moldy Peaches, Two Door Cinema Club

Album Review: Razorlight are reawakened with new album ‘Olympus Sleeping’

The Britrock whipping boy Johnny Borrell and his band are back, but will Razorlight’s fourth album provide much-needed redemption? Sam Lambeth finds out.

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festivals live

Nick Owen October 22, 2018October 27, 2018 Bay Waves, Dama Scout, Doe, Dream Wife, Goat Girl, Hare and Hounds, Menace Beach, Mush, Snail Mail, Speedy Ortiz, The Hungry Ghosts, The Orielles, Warmduscher

Review: The Orielles and Dream Wife headline All Years Leaving Festival

Set over two days, All Years Leaving offers lucky punters the chance to check out sets some of the most exciting bands touring the UK in 2018

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live

Samuel Lambeth October 23, 2018October 25, 2018 Birmingham, Pavement, Stephen Malkmus, The Asylum

Review: Stephen Malkmus sparkles hard at Birmingham Asylum

Former Pavement frontman and current Jick Stephen Malkmus brings his off-kilter indie back to Birmingham, in support of album Sparkle Hard.

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reviews

Sophie Hack October 19, 2018October 25, 2018 cave girl, kaleidoscope, Liquid Cheeks, paul cherry, The Lizards, The Night Owl

Review: Paul Cherry showcases ’70s yacht rock’ in Digbeth

Chicago’s Paul Cherry filled Digbeth’s The Night Owl with mellow synth and alt rock during a tender performance.

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live

Luke Charnley October 20, 2018October 24, 2018 Birmingham, Dark Horse, Moseley, Odd Soul, Salute the Sun

Review: Odd Soul dazzle during comeback show at Moseley’s Dark Horse

Odd Soul brought neo-soul bangers to the Dark Horse in a crowd-pleasing performance, featuring old and new hits.

Ocean Colour Scene at Beyond The Tracks Festival

releases

Samuel Lambeth October 19, 2018October 24, 2018 Moseley Shoals, Ocean Colour Scene, Simon Fowler, Steve Cradock

Review: Ocean Colour Scene return with mellow and melodic EP

Ocean Colour Scene, one of Birmingham’s biggest and most enduring of bands, return after a five-year hiatus with a mellow, muscular EP

live

Samuel Lambeth October 21, 2018October 24, 2018 Ash, Death By Unga Bunga, Digbeth, O2 Institute, O2 Institute Birmingham

Review: Ash burn, baby, burn at Birmingham O2 Institute

Downpatrick rockers Ash return to the Midlands to play a career-spanning set, including cuts from acclaimed new album Islands.

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live

Louise Spears October 18, 2018October 24, 2018 a Recordings, Jelly Skin, O2 Academy, The Brian Jonestown Massacre

Review: The Brian Jonestown Massacre stun a packed O2 Academy Birmingham

A career spanning set at the O2 Academy as notorious psych rock veterans The Brian Jonestown Massacre roll into town.

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releases

Declan Bowring October 23, 2018October 24, 2018 Birmingham, Gary Numan, My Chemical Romance, Savage: Live at Brixton Academy, Symphony Hall, The Fallen

Review: Gary Numan’s ‘The Fallen’ EP offers an extension of his recent, goth-tinged output

Goth-pop protégée Gary Numan makes a modest return with a new EP, a more accessible turn than his last album.

live

Joseph Lockley October 20, 2018October 23, 2018 Birmingham, Editors, O2 Academy, O2 Academy Birmingham, Talos

Review: Editors storm a sold out O2 Academy with hits new and old

Editors took to the stage at the O2 Academy Birmingham on Friday night, delivering a collection of singles new and old. Support from Talos.