Whenever you go to see the Specials expect the following three things, pork pie hats, checkered shirts with suspenders and a lot of former skinheads. I hadn’t even got to the que at the O2 Academy before I ticked off all three. Continue reading The Specials + Pete Williams @ O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK – 16th September 2021
They always say that the third time’s the charm, and that’s what all the patient ticket holders were hoping for on Wednesday. Continue reading Sam Fender + Heidi Curtis @ O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK – 25th August 2021
Never have I seen the staff of the O2 Academy look so worried before a show. “No support, and he’s only on for an hour. It’s going to be intense” said a concerned looking security guard. This is how you know your about to see JPEGMAFIA, one of the most exciting acts in modern hip hop. Continue reading JPEGMAFIA @ O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK – 29th February 2020
It was a full on Top Dawg Entertainment takeover in Birmingham when Schoolboy Q’s CrasH tour landed at The O2 Institute. Supported by label mate and fellow Black Hippy member Jay Rock, there was no better place to be for hip hop fans than at the O2 Institute. Continue reading Schoolboy Q + Jay Rock @ O2 Institute, Birmingham, UK – 4th February 2020
Krept and Konan has an interesting 2019. They released only their second full length album in ten year’s “Revenge is Sweet”, but had to reschedule the album tour dates due to a well-publicised incident at the Birmingham Radio 1 extra. Despite this setback, it seemed the duo were back on track to celebrate the album, an unusually large line built up around the venue to see what they had in store. Continue reading Krept and Konan @ O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK – 25th January 2020
Manchester’s female-fronted goth-pop quartet are back in the Midlands, with a whole new confidence. Continue reading Pale Waves @ O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK – 24th September 2019
Anderson .Paak has been on an unstoppable rise over the past two years. Every album, track or even feature released, just seems to get better and better. Ahead of his weekend slots at Reading and Leeds he announced an unmissable warmup at the O2 Academy. The sold out crowd were in for a special night. Continue reading Anderson .Paak @ O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK – 22nd August 2019
Nils Frahm is sparking a movement which challenges the conventions of music today. Continue reading Nils Frahm @ O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK – 20th February 2019
In my opinion Jay Rock is the most underrated member of famed rap label TDE. He produces consistently good albums, but gets easily overlooked against bigger names like Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. His current tour is titled ‘Redemption’, could this be his moment to truly shine on his own merits? Continue reading Jay Rock + Big Heath @ O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK – 19th February 2019
I’d heard rumours after the Melvins set in Digbeth last year that ear drums were blown and minds were melted. I expected much of the same when they played the O2 Academy on Tuesday, and with my ears still ringing I can easily say they delivered. Continue reading Melvins + The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion @ O2 Academy 2, Birmingham, UK – 23rd October 2018
What Kind of Music 