Ra Ra Riot + The Answering Machine + Kids In Cars @ Birmingham Barfly, Dragon Bar - 11th February 2009

After legging-it up the stairs and bursting through the door to catch the end of the first song of the Kids in Cars set, 'Lord of the Land', the first thing that struck me was just how young these guys look. The second thing that struck me was just how warm the Dragon …

The Script @ Wolverhampton Civic Hall - 11th February 2009

I arrive at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall at around 7.15pm, with just enough time to grab a typically over-priced beer and soak up the atmosphere - it's one of intense anticipation from the crowd, which is quickly filling to its capacity of just over 3000 people.

The …

Chiodos + Exit 10 + Random Conflict + Sonny Moore @ The Barfly - 7th February 2009

Doors were delayed an hour, so the place next door opened its doors to the freezing crowd, only to have them leaving shortly after, running from the horrendous indie mix blasting out louder than any of the bands.

So the cold was braved and we were treated with Sonny …

Glasvegas + Friendly Fires + White Lies + Florence & The Machine @ Birmingham Academy - 4th February 2009

Whilst the long queue waits outside in the freezing cold air, inside the 02 Academy the first of tonight's 4 bands takes to the stage - Florence & The Machine . Spirited singer song-writer Florence Welch cuts quite a figure. She is a Titian haired beauty who …

The Gaslight Anthem + Frank Turner + Polar Bear Club @ Birmingham Academy 2 - 3rd February 2009

Polar Bear Club are on first, a fun hardcore-ish band in the 90's sense of the word whose songs largely run into one another. In defence, it's terribly early: 7pm starts are no one's friend. There is some weakness in the vocals but the guitars are strong and clever and …

Mindless Self Indulgence + Bring Me The Horizon + Dir En Grey + Black Tide + In Case Of Fire @ Birmingham Academy - 30th January 2009

In Case Of Fire played a short but sweet set, kick starting the night with their heavy rock. While they were a little lacking in energy, the power of the three-piece really shone through, the single guitar cutting through the mix in a way that the later bands really …

Innerpartysystem + Middle Class Rut @ Birmingham Academy 2 - 31st January 2009

The great thing about an Emma Scott presents gig is that your more than likely to have a good night's entertainment. This was certainly the case as I attended the Academy 2 to see Innerpartysystem. Unfortunately I arrived slightly late so I missed the first few songs …

Seasick Steve + Joe Gideon and the Shark @ Wolverhampton Civic Hall - 29th January 2009

"I started out with nothing and I still got most of it left" is the self proclamation which has become Seasick Steve's catch phrase.

It pretty much sums up everything about the bearded musical 'hobo'. What the man can do with a cardboard box guitar (the Diddly Bo) and …

Grace Jones @ Birmingham Symphony Hall - 19th January 2009

I have limited knowledge about Grace Jones; it is restricted to two tracks from the '80's, A View to a Kill and the infamous Russell Harty incident.

All That Remains + The Haunted @ Birmingham Academy 2 - 19th January 2009

Apologies - I turned up late and happened to miss the start of The Haunted's co-headlining set tonight, so I'll start about 10 minutes in!

Although there were tickets still available on the door, the venue seems pretty packed. The Academy 2 is in it's larger …

We Are The Ocean + Young Guns + The Urgency @ Birmingham Academy 2 - 16th January 2009

The Academy may have been rebranded from Carling to O2 but fear not, as they haven't changed the carpets. Or any of the signs. The crowd sticking to the carpets tonightare largely bedecked in check shirts and hair products, and the room is packed by the end of the …

Architects + Misery Signals @ Birmingham Academy 2 - 14th January 2009

Tonight is the first time I've visited the Academy 2 since it's re-branding, courtesy of mobile telecoms company O2, and... oh. They haven't changed any of the livery. It's still the Carling Academy 2 by looks, and they still sell Carling behind the bar. …

The Bad Shepherds - Cox's Yard, Stratford Upon Avon - 22nd December 2008

A bunch of forty-somethings, a couple of kids and at least one passable Vyvyan Bastard look-a-like made Cox's Yard a sell out for this, the last leg of The Bad Shepherds' resurrected mini tour.

There could have been a danger that Adrian Edmondson's thrash mandolin …

Status Quo @ Birmingham LG Arena - 22nd December 2008

When bands have been around as long as Status Quo have, they can become an easy target for mockery - they only play three chords for God's sake! - but the fact that they have been playing for as long as they have should also command respect. 10 years together would be …

Biffy Clyro + Frightened Rabbit + People In Planes @ Birmingham Academy - 18th December 2008

Tonight's line-up could quite easily be renamed the "Scotsfest" tour, what with the headliners and both support acts coming from north of the border for a winter jaunt around the UK. 2008 has been quite a year for the headliners, partly because their most recent album …

The Hold Steady + The Mark Inside + Mr Bones and the Dreamers @ The Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton - 15th December 2008

I arrived very early at the Wulfrun Hall so it was a nice surprise to find there was an extra support band playing - local band Mr Bones and the Dreamers. I hadn't encountered them before but certainly plan to again. Despite being a young, and relatively new band, …

Cancer Bats @ Birmingham Bar Academy - 11th December 2008

So I'm off to my favourite venue in Birmingham, Academy 2, to see Toronto's Cancer Bats. Except the gig's been downgraded to my least favourite venue in Birmingham, Bar Academy. The signs aren't good...

The venue is not very busy - 70 to 80 people there max. - which …

Black Stone Cherry + Stone Gods + Sevendust @ Birmingham Academy - 10th December 2008

Kentucky four-piece Black Stone Cherry have been on quite a journey since the release of their debut album in 2007; going from small clubs to headlining a near sold-out Academy in the space of a couple of UK tours is one hell of an achievement. Throw into that mix a …

The Wildhearts + A + Tragedy @ Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall - 8th December 2008

It takes a very special act to open for The Wildhearts and have the whole crowd dancing and singing along but tonight I witnessed that very feat being accomplished.

If you've never heard of Tragedy, let me enlighten you. Invited onto the tour by none other than Ginger …

Blessed By A Broken Heart + I Am Ghost + Devils Gift + Fei Comodo @ Birmingham Barfly - 10th December 2008

It's rare that I queue for a gig, but with a line-up this good, I didn't want to miss a thing. While I'm not the only one, the queue is very short, and the moving of the gig to the main barfly room meant the lack of people was very noticeable.

First on are Fei Comodo, …