Review and Photography by Robert Barrett

Name a better night for a bit of old school rock and roll than a Friday. Works out, drinks are flowing, and the promise of the weekend has just begun. So who better to provide this than Eagles of Death Metal, especially whilst celebrating their 24th Anniversary tour.

An earlier start meant that no support was in sight. Instead the set opened by blasting Sister Sledge’s classic “We Are Family” as the band entered. Looking like Jesus dressed head to toe in a dashing red suit, he kicked the show off with “Shasta Beast” and the classic banger “Don’t Speak I Came To Make a Bang”.

Boots was all charm when it came to audience, “we love you Birmingham” he announced whilst telling tales of the previous times they had been to the city (and given old Kerrang magazines by a keen fan).  He payed them back with a greatest hits set of tracks from across all four albums. Even a few cheeky covers were thrown in including an excellent rendition of Bowie’s “Moonage Daydream”.

The band even came back for seconds with an encore featuring early single “I Only Want You”, even all these years later it sounds as groovy as ever. Let’s hope for another 24 years of Eagles of Death Metal.