Lil Tecca – The Dopamine Experience (O2 Academy, Birmingham)
I’m not exaggerating when I say this was the sweatiest gig I’ve ever attended in my life. I’ve never felt the urge to take my t-shirt off at a concert before, but the heat and humidity were so intense that I had to do it just to try and cool down — and most of the crowd did the same. When I arrived at 07:45 (doors opened at 07:00), the queue was still snaking up the hill and around the corner outside Birmingham’s O2 Academy. This was the final UK date of Lil Tecca’s Dopamine Experience, and fans absolutely embraced every moment of his performance.
Shed Seven’s Triumphant Night in Leeds
There’s something about a summer evening gig in the open air of Millennium Square that feels like coming home, especially with it being the hottest day of the year so far! A crowd thick with 90’s gritty nostalgia, pints raised, and band tees worn like uniforms of loyalty - this was the scene in Leeds at Shed Seven took to the stage for what can only be described as a triumphant homecoming, of sorts.
The Teskey Brothers Bring a Soulful Night to Halifax Piece Hall
Sunday was a perfectly warm July evening as The Teskey Brothers delivered a performance at Halifax’s historic Piece Hall that was equal parts raw soul, musical precision, and heartfelt connection. With the 18th-century courtyard bathed in golden hour light and a crowd ready to feel the love, the Australian band proved once again why they’re one of the most compelling live acts in modern soul and blues.
Noah Kahan Is The First Artist To Headline At The Newly Established ‘Blackweir Live’
The opening event of the newly formed Blackweir Live was nothing short of spectacular, with none other than folk-pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan’s voice echoing through the streets of Cardiff.
Thankfully, the weather held out and remained dry until later that night, after the show had ended. The turnout was a success, with up to 35,000 people attending the mini-festival in Blackweir Fields. Before Noah took the stage, attendees were treated to performances by two other artists: DJO (Joe Keery of Stranger Things) and Sebastian Schub.
Father John Misty’s Epic Return to Leeds - O2 Academy
Following on from playing sold-out shows at the likes of The Refectory at The University of Leeds, Father John Misty returned to the city on Sunday backed by his incredible 7-piece band.
The back of the academy stage, draped in Mr Tillman’s signature red curtain and host to 6 old Hollywood spotlights, created the perfect intimate atmosphere for his not-so-low-key set.
Wilco at Londons Royal Albert Hall
The return of Chicago's indie rock legends, Wilco, to the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London was nothing short of magic. This marked their first solo gig since their performance at O2 Forum Kentish Town earlier in 2023. Fans of all ages packed the venue, eager to hear both chart-toppers and deep cuts from the band’s extensive catalog.
Pulp’s Return To Birmingham
Pulp’s first return to Birmingham since 2001, with a 13,000 capacity difference, was more than just a gig—it was a celebration, a reunion, and a reminder of how powerful live music can be when done with style, humour, and heart.
Chase & Status at The O2 Arena In London
Chase & Status returned to London in seismic style, selling out the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena and delivering a show that felt as much like a celebration as it did a concert. The duo, Saul Milton (Chase) and Will Kennard (Status), have long been known for blurring the lines between genres and generations, but this show felt particularly triumphant. Following their 2024 Brit Award win for "Producer of the Year" and a historic chart run with four singles in the UK Top 40, their performance confirmed their place at the top of the UK’s electronic scene.
Twenty One Pilots ‘The Clancy World Tour’ in Birmingham, UK
On 06th May, multi genre-bending duo Twenty One Pilots brought their ‘The Clancy World Tour’ to the newly re-named venue BP Pulse Live in Birmingham (formally known as Resorts World Arena).
Dedicated fans had arrived on site and started queuing around midnight on the day of the show, eighteen hours or more before the doors to the venue actually opened. This was the first tour they had performed in England in around six years and I hadn’t seen an arena show in Birmingham as full to the brim as I did in Brum that night, ever. Barely any seats or standing arena remained visually empty. They also performed one of the longest sets I’d been present at, with a 2 hour and 15 minute performance.
The Pogues at Barrowlands in Glasgow
With the first of two nights at the Barrowlands, the venue was already heaving before The Pogues even hit the stage. The buzz was real.