Reviews | Counteract

Friday, May 16, 2025

Ocean Colour Scene at Beyond The Tracks Festival

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

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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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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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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.

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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.

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Declan Bowring February 21, 2018October 23, 2018 Albert Hammond Jr, Franz Ferdinand, O2 Academy, O2 Academy Birmingham, The Strokes

Review: Franz Ferdinand impress a boisterous Birmingham crowd

Glaswegian indie rockers return to Birmingham’s O2 Academy to promote their latest album Always Ascending, and, of course, play the hits

Holly Carter October 21, 2018October 22, 2018 Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Matt Healey, Radio 1, The 1975, The La's

The 1975 release tragically catchy new single

The fifth pre-album single from The 1975, ‘It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)’, is out, and it’s a certified banger.

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Samuel Lambeth October 16, 2018October 19, 2018 black honey, O2 Academy, Pins, Russo

Review: Black Honey, PINS and Russo wow Birmingham O2 Academy

Three of indie’s most exciting bands – Black Honey, PINS and Russo – provide a trio of stunning sets at Birmingham’s O2 Academy.

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Counteract Reporter October 7, 2018October 18, 2018 Boudica Festival, Coventry, lets eat grandma, Queen Zee

Review: Boudica Festival empowers and excites on return to Coventry

Boudica Festival, an event showcasing the best up and coming women in music, returned to Coventry on Saturday 6th October.

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Samuel Lambeth October 13, 2018October 18, 2018 George Pannell, Sugarthief, The Castle and Falcon, The Mysterines, Violet

Review: Sugarthief sweet talk Birmingham at epic homecoming gig

Birmingham heavyweights Sugarthief and Violet come together for an epic night of barnstorming Birmingham indie, all at the Castle and Falcon.