GIGS January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 15/12/2021 11:47 Page 2
Gigs
Live music from across the region...
IDLES O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 22 January
Image credit: Tom Ham
IDLES made their UK Official Album Chart debut in 2018 following the release of second album Joy As An Act Of Resistance, which saw them being nominated as Best Breakthrough Act in the 2019 BRIT Awards. Known for their powerful live shows, the Bristol five-piece are one of the UK’s most exciting bands, boasting relentless energy and a huge sound. Passionate, political and darkly comedic, they’re back with their fourth album, Crawler, which peaked at number six in the charts.
Wolf Alice Alternative rock band Wolf Alice comprising founders Ellie Rowsell and Joff Oddie, along with bassist Theo Ellis and drummer Joel Amey - are this month visiting the region in support of chart-topping third album Blue Weekend, an offering that beautifully showcases their newfound boldness and vulnerability. Although starting out as an acoustic duo,
Ellie and Joff evolved their music to include more rock elements and have since garnered plenty of praise for their raw live sound. Their Birmingham stop-off is part of a tour that sees them playing headline shows for the first time in nearly four years. “Our music kind of lives under the ‘alternative rock & pop’ umbrella,” says Joff. “It isn’t like we do an experimental jazz piece, then do some straightforward rock music - they all pretty much live together within the same world.”
Ronan Keating
The Quireboys
Good Future
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 27 January
O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 22 January
With 12 studio albums behind him, it's fair to say that Ronan Keating long ago stopped being thought of only in terms of Boyzone. He’s currently one year short of celebrating three glorious decades in the music business, during which time (and among many other stand-out achievements) he’s dueted with Elton John, sung for the Pope and recorded with Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens). Ronan stops off in Birmingham this month in support of his album, Twenty Twenty.
After supporting Guns N' Roses and the Rolling Stones during the 1990s, this quintessential British rock'n'roll band are now enjoying a revival. Although they formed way back in 1984, there’s certainly no sign of Spike, Guy, Keith and Paul losing any enthusiasm for what they do - indeed, their most recent studio offering, Amazing Disgrace, sounds every bit as dynamic as their early releases. The boys visit Birmingham this month to play classic album A Bit Of What You Fancy in its entirety.
The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, Fri 14 January
O2 Academy, Birmingham, Thurs 27 January
The mastermind behind Good Future, Nathan Shepherd creates bedroom synth pop from everyday experiences, life challenges and issues that affect the modern world. He’s recently made a name for himself on TikTok with his music mashups, performing contemporary pop songs in the style of distinctive or classic artists.
LoneLady Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Mon 17 January
There’s nothing common or garden about Manchester singer-songwriter Julie Campbell. From the love of isolation that inspired her LoneLady persona, through to the burning passion for bleak, industrial landscapes which has informed her output as a musician, she’s definitely a one-of-akind performer. She plays Birmingham before heading out on the European leg of her tour. whatsonlive.co.uk 17
