GIGS December Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 19/11/2021 11:11 Page 2
Gigs
Live music from across the region...
The Bootleg Beatles Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon 13 December
Formed in 1980 from the cast of the musical Beatlemania, the Bootleg Beatles remain one of the most popular tribute acts in the country, despite the emergence of numerous rivals. Their ongoing success is down to the accuracy of their portrayal of the Fab Four, not only managing to look uncannily like them but also sounding incredibly authentic. An evening in their company offers a nostalgic but vital journey through the Beatles years, as ‘John’, ‘Paul’, ‘George’ and ‘Ringo’ transform from happy-go-lucky moptops to bearded, drug-addled hippies.
Jessie Ware O2 Academy, Birmingham, Wed 1 December
One of the country’s most exciting pop acts, Jessie Ware visits Birmingham this month in support of fourth studio album, What’s Your Pleasure?, a record that’s been described as ‘a magical reconfiguration of her musical
Bicep Forum Birmingham, Fri 3 December
Comfortably installed as one of the biggest names in both underground and mainstream dance music, Bicep comprises childhood chums Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar. The Belfast duo came to prominence on the back of their self-titled debut album, which reached number two in the charts in 2017. They followed up earlier this year with second offering Isles. Check them out. If you love electronic music, you’ll love Bicep.
DNA, capturing the essence of nostalgia and the spirit of the dancefloor.’ Jessie will return to the city next spring (the Town Hall on Thursday 5 May) in the company of her mom, Lennie, as they tour their award-winning podcast, Table Manners.
Madness
Cavetown
Utilita Arena Birmingham, Fri 17 December
O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 4 December
Their really high-profile days may well be behind them, but legendary British pop/ska band Madness continue to draw a crowd, as this latest arena tour ably illustrates. With hits like On The Wings Of A Dove, One Step Beyond, Baggy Trousers, It Must Be Love and Our House to recommend them, the band are sure to provide a high-energy evening of manic, madcap mayhem. They’re joined for the occasion by Squeeze.
Growing up in Cambridge, Cavetown first explored his creativity as a child, writing emotional, dramatic stories about his imaginary friends. Not long after learning to play the guitar, he started writing and selfrecording in his bedroom. Breakthrough album Lemon Boy arrived in 2018, since which time he’s played numerous festivals and enjoyed sold-out dates on both sides of the Atlantic. Described as an ‘indie-pop phenomenon’, he visits Birmingham in support of his latest ‘dreamy’ offering, Man's Best Friend.
Electric Swing Circus Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Fri 17 December
Fusing ’20s swing and stomping electro beats, Electric Swing Circus create an explosive sound that reverberates back through time, hotfooting their way from breakbeat and house to reggae and dubstep - and all in their own unique style. The popular Brummie six-piece are here performing as part of a 10th anniversary celebration of Hot Club de Swing, ‘Birmingham's finest night of electro-swing, vintage sounds and antique beats’. whatsonlive.co.uk 17
