REVIEW: Paramore, LG Arena Birmingham, 23/09/2013

   Three years on and the Tennessee Trio return to Birmingham on their sixteen date European tour.

  The last time Paramore graced the LG Arena's stage was November 2010 as a five piece. Tonight, you wouldn't even realise they'd been away. Opening with the energetic 'Grow Up', the band have the entire audience moving before the first chorus; the choice of intro song seems very apt as it's clear to everyone how far the band have come since Brand New Eyes. 

   Front woman Hayley Williams soon takes to the front of the stage and begins a chant which the audience gladly repeat back, soon to turn into the familiar 'whoa' in 'That's What You Get'. Although the touring members remain planted towards the back of the stage, Jeremy Davis (bass) and Taylor York (lead guitar) waste no time in making use of the space, bouncing from end to end. It's clear the whole band is enjoying themselves, a feeling taken in by the crowd as they jump up and down to the beat.

   Despite the constant movement, there's never a wrong note sung; Williams hits every high perfectly. There's also no lack of audience participation - the whole band are thoroughly engaging, and every time the yellow mic is turned in the crowd's direction the reaction is deafening. Halfway through the set, a keyboard is placed center stage as the band break into 'When It Rains' (probably a welcome sit down for Williams, who looks just as sweaty as those in the center of the pit). All three look equally overwhelmed to hear 'Last Hope' being sung back to them, the meaning of which Williams made in a speech before starting the song. 

   As they move through their 21 song set, Davis and York seem to only gain in energy, putting their all into the performance. Following 'Ain't It Fun', Davis goes into a solo, showing his competence as a bassist that may have previously been overlooked. Later during 'Pressure' - an old favourite and the only song on the set from first album All We Know is Falling - all eyes are on Davis and York as they set up for the very well-known 'pressure flip' among fans which they pull off effortlessly, much to the delight of the crowd. 

   Like all their shows, just before hitting the bridge of crowd-pleaser 'Misery Business', the band go into an extended instrumental whereby Williams picks one thrilled looking audience member to take to the stage and sing the bridge. Though the jealousy of those not picked is evident, the goodwill of the fans wins out and the girl chosen today is greeted by cheers and chants as she and Williams complete the song. 
   
   At the end of the song the band leave the stage, and it's only when chants of 'paramore' are at their height do they return for a three song encore. They close the show with recent chart hit 'Still Into You', which is accompanied by a large flurry of orange confetti raining down on a cheering and very pleased audience.

   It's clear Paramore have come a long way in three years. The absence of the Farro brothers seemed barely noticeable as the remaining members filled whatever hole they left both in the band and for the fans. A thoroughly enjoyable, energetic show which left everyone with a smile on their face.

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.