Gig reviews, gigs in Birmingham & West Midlands

Chris Rea, Symphony Hall Mar 26 2008

CHRIS Rea has had serious health problems but you would hardly guess it with an hour-and-three-quarters continuous set with not even a pause for breath between songs.Read

Velvet Revolver, Carling Academy Mar 26 2008

FORGET about Dr Seuss and his Cat in the Hat on the big screen, welcome to the technicolour world of rock's coolest cat in a top hat.Read

The Orchestra feat Former Members Of Elo and Elo Part 2, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Mar 25 2008

THE songs of one of Birmingham's greatest writers were resurrected on Easter Sunday.Read

West Side Story, Walsall Operatic Society, Lichfield Garrick Mar 21 2008

IT'S now 50 years since the musical story of teenage gang warfare in Manhattan first hit the stage, but this production is fresh, vibrant and just as relevant in today's Britain.Read

CBSO, Symphony Hall Mar 20 2008

AS HIS decade at the helm of the CBSO draws to a close, many will remember with affection the many choral works Sakari Oramo has conducted with such distinction.Read

The X Factor, NEC Arena Mar 19 2008

IT'S just three months since Leon Jackson won The X Factor in a blaze of glory.Read

Himsa, Barfly, Birmingham Mar 18 2008

I'VE seen some strange things in my 30-odd years of watching live music, but a cow in the crowd was definitely a first.Read

Ektomorf & Stuck Mojo, JB's, Dudley Mar 12 2008

HUNGARIAN thrashers Ektomorf have a lot of bridges to build with the hardy souls who braved a cold evening in the Black Country following their no-show here.Read

The Lady From The Sea, Birmingham Rep Mar 12 2008

AFTER the Rep's mediocre production of Ibsen's A Doll's House a few years ago, it is a delight to see the theatre right on track with this later work from the Norwegian playwright.Read

Asia, Wolverhampton Civic Hall Mar 11 2008

WITH a new album entitled Phoenix out soon, Asia thrilled a small but appreciative audience with a night of tasters, classics and members' songs.Read

Sunday Night Live, Birmingham Hippodrome Mar 11 2008

GOOD old fashioned "variety" returned to the stage in Birmingham.Read

Clannad, Alexandra Theatre Mar 07 2008

IT WAS just as if they'd never been away.Read

Aspects Of Love, Birmingham Hippodrome Mar 04 2008

DAVID Essex turns back the clock to prove there's still plenty of life in the "old Romeo". Read

Fairport Convention, Birmingham Town Hall Mar 04 2008

IN an ever changing world, you can rely on one thing - Fairport Convention just keep on touring.Read

The Editors, National Indoor Arena Mar 03 2008

BILLED as their biggest ever gig, Editors did not disappoint in front of their faithful Birmingham fans at the NIA.Read

Barbara Dickson, Birmingham Town Hall Mar 03 2008

SOME things undoubtedly mature and get better with age. And that is clearly the case with the enduring quality of Barbara Dickson.Read

Electric Six, Carling Academy Birmingham Mar 03 2008

SOME bands confound and surprise their fans with each new album.Read

Kate Nash, Wolverhampton Civic Hall Mar 03 2008

EXPECTATIONS were high as newly-crowned Brit and NME awards winner Kate Nash took to the stage.Read

An Evening With Charlie Landsborough, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Feb 27 2008

IT WAS like spending an evening with an old friend as country star Charlie Landsborough delighted the audience with his dual skills as singer and storyteller.Read