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Birmingham, My Birmingham (Day 7)
By Ginger | September 25, 2009
We’ve always enjoyed good times in the Midlands and tonight was no exception.
Apparently there’s some kind of divide between Wolverhampton and Birmingham that forbids people from the former going to see bands playing the latter. We have sold precisely half the amount of tickets that we usually sell when we play Wolves Civic, adding weight to this theory. Still, come showtime the modest little room in the O2 Academy is literally jam packed.
The monitors on this tiny stage are so powerful that one would need to stand about 4 or 5 feet away from it to actually hear it. There is no 4 or 5 feet ‘back’ on this tiny stage, therefore no one can hear a thing onstage.
The show was the hottest gig I’ve played in a very long time. No air onstage made the experience hellish, especially for me and Ritch. Come You Took The Sunshine From New York I came so close to blacking out that I failed to notice singing the first verse in an entirely different key. No monitors and no oxygen will do that to a person.
Anyway, if the crowd noticed (which I’m sure they did) they quickly forgave me and proceeded to supply severely voluminous vocal support throughout. Their stamina was inspirational and kept the band motivated to keep rocking when there was no life left in us at all.
At one point in the final song I moved to CJ’s side of the stage in order to stop myself slipping on the swimming pool of my sweat in the middle of the stage. His side? Dry as a bone. That guy is way too cool.
All in all, possibly the best show of the tour. At least on a par with Nottingham.
Later we all ate at the Koh-i-Noor, a superb Indian restaurant that plays 80’s rock ballads at the behest of their manager. You won’t find a more surreal soundtrack to an extra spicy King Prawn Ceylon. It’s directly opposite the front of the venue. Check it out next time you’re at a gig.
Birmingham, we love you. Still and always.
Gx
14 Responses to “Birmingham, My Birmingham (Day 7)”
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September 25th, 2009 at 16:56
what a gig it was mr ginger. the room was way to small though for a wildhearts gig and getting to the pisspot was a nightmare and even worse to get a beer.amazing first set but was wierd to see everyone just standing and listening to the band. second set was a blinder with sing-a-long after sing-a-long. plus i got a footie shirt as well-good times-. next time it has to be wolvo or jb’s
September 25th, 2009 at 17:01
My first trip to the new o2 as well – not a great success unless you’re going to see an nice not very active emo band or the like.
The sound outfront was great although I can understand the on-stage problems would be a nightmare, and the stage did look way too small. I’d agree with James above – JB’s or the Civic/Wulfrun every time for me – JB’s is a much more ‘rock’ venue, the o2 was more of a corporate experience.
September 25th, 2009 at 20:04
Gig was incredible, especially the little ‘Peppa Pig’ interlude! Best Wildhearts gig i’ve ever been to.
September 25th, 2009 at 21:22
hey this time last week i was at the brilliant bristol gig-good memories.hope everyones enjoying the rest of the tour.
September 25th, 2009 at 21:46
Womanizer, Woman-Womanizer, You’re a womanizer, Oh Womanizer – haha
What an amazing show last night. It was the 3rd time i saw the wildhearts on this tour and my 19th time ever. It was without doubt one of the greatest ever wildhearts shows I’ve been to (certainly the hottest). Fan-fucking-tastic. Thank you x
September 25th, 2009 at 22:34
Last night was awesome, still achin now but worth the hurt! Lovin the caffine bomb into suckerpunch, phwoarrr!!! Was dead hot but manned up n rocked right through.
Best wildhearts gig thus far for me, great to hear some new stuff live, lovin hearing a different set. Dont get me wrong i love the old stuff but cant help resent some of it in a live situation for blockin some great songs that dont get a look in. Would love to see half new/less aired stuff, half classics more often cos last night felt like it had it all for me.
Agree with above though (hey Duff!) next time bring it back to the Black Country!!!!
September 25th, 2009 at 22:44
OMG thankyou wildheartsw this was my first ever rock gig….and i have to say it was the most amazing experiance….i had never heard of you guys befgore a week or so ago but i am so into you know….and i’d just like to add it was hotter n hell in there but was the night ever….thankyou so much to my date for taking me and looking after me like a real gentleman….thanks guys keep on rockin and i cant wait to see you next time xxxx
September 25th, 2009 at 23:03
Awesome gig Ginger and co. My girlfriend, who doesn’t like live music generally, loved it too. Hope the guy in front of me who kept shouting “Where’s my Elvis?” between songs wasn’t too audible.
You wanna head out of the city for a curry next time. Venture out my way and into the balti triangle/balti belt!
September 25th, 2009 at 23:18
Who would of thought they would be singing the lion sleeps tonight at a Wildhearts gig?? Not me thats for sure but What a show !! the best Wildhearts gig in years, hotter than hot, louder than loud and the new album is a masterpiece!! Thanks to the band and everyone else in the crowd for making it a night I’ll remember for years to come.
September 26th, 2009 at 02:02
Cj IS cool as fuck! It was a wicked gig and me and my mates had a wicked time! Totally fucked after moshing to caffiene then suckerpunch! Work was a bitch today! Well done lads on another brilliant gig.
September 26th, 2009 at 08:38
Foookin awsome show,first time ive seen you boys live,loved it and my ears are still ringin 2 days later.And yeah,it was hot as fuck in there
September 26th, 2009 at 21:16
Absolute top notch gig but why so apologetic about playing the new stuff Ginger? The album’s a cracker and I’m glad you didn’t trot out a safe ‘best of’ gig like some other bands that have been around 15++ years!
(though it was still amazing to hear the oldies!)
September 28th, 2009 at 14:32
Awesome gig, the new album is cracking and playing it all is a definate, it offers so much and keeps growing with every listen.
This was my wifes first proper gig and she can’t wait to see you guys again, don’t forget Leicester on your next tour!!
October 17th, 2009 at 10:27
Surely the trick to the Brum/Wolves issue is to just play somewhere dead in the middle, like Dudley JBs (as you used to on every tour no matter which side of the divide you were playing on as well). Those gigs used to be legendary!