Well quite frankly it’s alive and alight with Scene Queen on the main stage and a fabulous four band bonanza in Academy 3, the latter is where I’ve parked myself for the evening. It is always an exciting time watching new bands cut their teeth on the live circuit, we all know what a carnival of chaos the music industry is, not for the faint-hearted so first up are Haze, a lovable bunch of kindly scruffbags, their image is taken straight form the 60’s, that roguish era of the classics, worn out jeans, laid back stance, projecting sounds that are reminiscent of The Grateful Dead and Blackfoot. A variety of influences are on show tonight, rap, funk, grunge, I thought at one point the singer was going to give us ‘Jeremy’ that Pearl Jam classic, it would have been good to hear. We did get a pretty respectable cover of ‘Money’ a brave move to tackle a song that many fans hold dear. Harnessing a hefty groove, Haze take the crash, bang, wallop of the 60’s and bring it up to date, an immense twang of the frets cultivates a nostalgic vibe, and you feel yourself being swept away.
Next up are The Cage, providing a healthy guitar driven sound as they charge forth into the audience, their bassist sporting a King Gizzard T shirt and resembling a hippy, trippy, Cousin It with the flowing locks, giving it some welly with a raucous, loud and fast paced performance. There is an aptitude, a yearning and a maturity that shines through, that goes for all the bands here. Steeped in the history of music from the Midlands, The Cage have that attitude and presence, an innate characteristic as they have absorbed that legacy. A riotous cover of ‘Chelsea Dagger’ has us all bopping frantically, lively and energetic, letting us re-live and honour the past while setting up the path ahead for the future of music.
I find myself racing down to the south coast to find shelter with The Kabins, and hopefully ‘Warm Up’ a little – see what I did there, clever eh? – gorgeously tunesome, fun and engaging with a great sense of humour. Singer Todd Gilronan asks if any of us had heard of them, one lonely voice replied back, not to be dismayed by the lack of notoriety – that will come in time for sure- for now he was happy to play to a brand new crowd with his cohorts Elliott Plance – lead guitar, Alex Turner – rhythm guitar, Freddie Clarke – bass and Felix Randall on drums, who hotfooted it all the way from Devon to be here. As an ‘Outsider’ looking in, you can never be sure ‘How Will This Go’ having delivered a blinder of a set, they can be encouraged by the response.
Maybe they will bring jam, cream and scones with them next time, yum!
So the headliners, Road Closed began their set with the theme from ‘Ghostbusters’ where you get that instant hit of funk and bass, infectious to a tee and maintaining that quality throughout the show. There is definitely a marked difference from when I last saw them, still edgy, and entertaining, singer Leo really knows how to work the crowd. The two headed beast of ‘Burnout’ and ‘Omnipotent’ has the fans eating out of their hands, eagerly devouring each morsel.
During ‘Lighting’ we get a little cutesy as Leo asks a girl to hold the microphone while he sings, maybe that was a spontaneous move, but it was beautiful and effortless, nonetheless.
Rachel Towner is in charge of the bass and boy does she pack a punch and has settled in nicely with the band. They have youth on their side, and with time and experience and chances to build on what they already know, I’m sure we will be seeing more of them very soon. The songwriting shows capabilities probably beyond their years, but we learn that everyone, young or old, has struggles, has anxieties and their life has meaning, their opinions and feelings are valid and important. I found it a really encouraging to see these bands tonight, although the music business is as scary as it is rewarding for those who show promise. That is what I will take away with me tonight, promise, at a time when people are screaming out for new music, give these guys a chance. Through writers tears, hopes and fears, its three cheers for our new breed, raise a glass to them my friends, slainte!
Azra Pathan
Road Closed/ The Kabins/ The Cage/Haze O2Academy 3 Birmingham, 7th October 2023