Reviews | Counteract

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Of Monsters & Men at the O2 Academy in Birmingham

November 20, 2015 Francis Smith

Review: Of Monsters and Men bring Nordic folk music to Birmingham

On Thursday night, the O2 Academy in Birmingham played host to an evening of Nordic heritage and wilderness inspired music.

The Vaccines at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton

November 18, 2015 Francis Smith

Review: The Vaccines return to Wolverhampton with gleaming performance

Crashing on to a cacophony of cheers, The Vaccines threw themselves into ‘Handsome’.

Marilyn Manson at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton

November 22, 2015 Francis Smith

Review: Marilyn Manson excites at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall

Manson gives an exciting and impulsive performance, with strong support from Krokodil.

Frank Turner at the O2 Academy in Birmingham

November 19, 2015 Francis Smith

Review: Frank Turner packs a punch at Birmingham’s O2 Academy

As storm Barney toppled the Fort shopping centre’s hubris-filled sign, Frank Turner and his band, The Sleeping Souls, packed a punch.

Raketkanon at the Hare & Hounds in Birmingham

November 19, 2015 Francis Smith

Review: Raketkanon fill the Hare & Hounds with noise-rock lunacy

Raketkanon are by no means easy listening- if you’re looking for catchy melodies, you’ll have to go somewhere else.

Wood and Nails

November 23, 2015 Francis Smith

EP review: Wood and Nails – The Night Before

If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine the lighter shards of The Promise Ring and Texas Is the Reason blaring out.

November 21, 2015 Francis Smith

EP review: Creeper – The Callous Heart

They may be living in a permanent Halloween, but Creeper will be around for a much longer season. Best dig out the Ouija board.

Albert Hammond, Jr. of The Strokes at the Hare & Hounds in Birmingham

November 20, 2015 Francis Smith

Review: Albert Hammond, Jr. showcases solo material at a sold-out Hare & Hounds

It’s not every day a seminal musician from your youth comes to your local pub; that seminal musician being Albert Hammond, Jr. of The Strokes.

Wavves at the O2 Institute in Birmingham

November 18, 2015 Francis Smith

Review: Wavves whip up a frenzy at the O2 Institute in Birmingham

Wavves have always had a cult-like following and in this intimate venue it is clear to see.

Reverend and the Makers at the Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton

November 17, 2015 Francis Smith

Review: Reverend and the Makers get the intimate Slade Rooms bouncing

Reverend and the Makers make their debut appearance in Wolverhampton as part of their 2015 tour.