REVIEW: Walk the Moon, Temple - HMV Institute, 26/02/2013

   Face-paint fuelled show as Ohio indie rockers embark on their headline UK tour and hit up Birmingham.

   Following a rather positive reception from supporting fun. back in October last year, and the overall positive reception towards their self titled album, Walk the Moon showed they're far more than a support band at their sold out show in the Temple putting the quartet firmly on the musical map.

   Using the album's first track, Quesadilla, to open the show, Walk The Moon certainly began on an energetic note moving smoothly into Next in Line. Though mostly younger teens, there was never a still moment in the crowd - even slower number, Iscariot, invoked a synchronised swaying.

   The band also played one of their older songs, Me and All My Friends, which the crowd were only too happy to join in with, screaming 'come on over now' much to the band's joy. Further proving a strong, ever growing fan base was the audience participation with Tightrope - never has that venue seen so many raised jazz hands.

   The band ended on a seemingly unexpected encore, covering Bowie classic 'Let's Dance', a track enjoyed by all ages, including the parents that were accompanying their underaged children. Needless to say, if they didn't arrive as fans, they certainly left as them.

   After what can only be described as a buzzing gig, the only hope left for Walk the Moon is that their fan base continues growing and stays as strong as it already has become. Oh, and that they keep producing fantastic music that you can't help but dance to.



**Quick not - I thought this posted 2 months ago, but it only saved to drafts!!! Sorry for the HUGE delay - I'll double check next time!**

REVIEW: B.o.B, Library - HMV Institute, 24/09/2012

   Last night saw American rapper B.o.B perform his final show on his debut UK headliner. Although a surprisingly small venue, the sheer energy of his performance gave the impression he was headlining an arena, not a 600 capacity venue.

   Opening with ‘Bombs Away’, B.o.B takes to the stage as Morgan Freeman’s voice bellows over the crowd, bringing with it excitement as fans finally get the man they came to see. After some seriously heavy use of strobe lighting and smooth mixing from the DJ, the crowd are led into a gnarly ‘Beast Mode’ accompanied by a large video of a tiger behind the man himself.

   B.o.B is soon joined by Playboy Tre, who has featured on songs on both B.o.B’s LP’s, for ‘Bet I’ and is even given the stage to perform one of his own songs. All the while however, fans remain firmly in B.o.B’s control, fist pumping and clapping on his command and proving that the rapper can certainly handle an audience.

   Later in the set a piano is brought centre stage as B.o.B performs one of his very few less energetic numbers, ‘Don’t Let Me Fall’, showcasing his  versatility within music and bringing to light that yes, he can definitely sing.

   The break in tempo doesn’t last long though as we are soon thrust into ‘Play For Keeps’ which is accompanied by a mini lazer show. Finally, just before the encore, the crowd is given ‘Airplanes’ – the UK number one track featuring pint-sized rocker Hayley Williams – resulting in a high-energy finale with ‘So Good’.

   B.o.B closed this tour in style, and we can only hope that he’ll return soon in a venue more worthy.