Reviews | Counteract

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Luke Charnley November 5, 2018November 6, 2018 Birmingham, Fire Alarm, Hoopla Blue, James Murphy, single, Slug, Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam

Hoopla Blue’s ‘Fire Alarm’ is a delightfully weird outing for the cult Brummies

Hoopla Blue deal up a slice of electro-funk that marks them out as one of Birmingham’s most unique young acts

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Joseph Lockley November 2, 2018November 5, 2018 Elder Island, FAVELA, Hare & Hounds, kings heath

Review: Elder Island hypnotise the Hare & Hounds

Elder Island performed to a packed Hare & Hounds on Thursday night, bringing deep dance beats and excellent vibes all night.

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Luke Charnley November 4, 2018November 5, 2018 Birmingham, cave girl, Hoopla Blue, Sunflower Lounge, Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam, Sweet Deals on Surgery

Review: Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam debut new album at hometown gig

Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam delivered a set that foregrounds their new record, plus some unreleased material, in typical idiosyncratic style.

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Danny Thompson July 2, 2018November 2, 2018 Cannock Chase Forest, George Ezra, Shadowlark

Review: George Ezra gets fans dancing in the woods

George Ezra performs an entertaining set at Cannock Chase Forest, pleasing fans with new material and classics from his debut.

Bloxx UK Tour 2018

Rhiannon Davies October 30, 2018November 1, 2018 Bloxx, Lilleburn, nth cave, The Sunflower Lounge, Vistas

Review: Bloxx incite chaos at wild Sunflower Lounge Birmingham gig

Alt-rock band Bloxx continue their biggest headline tour to date, with support from Lilleburn, Nth Cave, and stand-outs Vistas.

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Nick Owen October 25, 2018October 31, 2018 Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Murray A Lightburn

Review: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah celebrate album’s 10th anniversary

Cult heroes Clap Your Hands Say Yeah celebrate 10 years since the release of their second album at the Hare and Hounds.

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Holly Carter October 27, 2018October 30, 2018 Fickle Friends, FLARES, Marsicans, O2 Academy Birmingham

Review: Fickle Friends deliver tropical set at Birmingham’s O2 Academy

Brighton indie-pop up-and-comers Fickle Friends deliver palm-tree adorned joy at the flagship Birmingham venue.

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Kate Spree October 26, 2018October 30, 2018 afro b, afrobeat, bbc 1xtra, Birmingham, Digbeth, drake, j hus, london, mama roux, p montana, rinse fm, timma t

Review: Mr Eazi and Afro B party with CASA BACARDÍ in Birmingham

Afrobeats legends Mr Eazi and Afro B partied with the audience at Mama Roux’s on 25th October, at an exclusive event hosted by CASA BACARDÍ.

Holly Carter October 30, 2018October 30, 2018 Birmingham, Genting Arena, If I Say, Mumford and Sons, single review

Mumford and Sons disappoint with new single ‘If I Say’

The latest single from Mumford’s upcoming album feels trite and cliched in what is becoming an increasingly predictable disappointment.