by Digbeth O2 Institute could be housing pop royalty in the form of CARLY RAE JEPSENthat occupies the main room of the place, but there is a feeling that tonight’s alternative offer from the hand of MOM JEANS.
The first is a three-piece Bristol. I DESTROY. Punk rockers are a ball of explosive energy, bringing the vibe of a celebratory headline to your opening space. While his cheeky indie bops may not win over the plaid-wearing emo enthusiasts in the crowd, he certainly warms up the vast majority of tonight’s attendees.
Rating: 8/10
long Beach BEAR BEAR sit more comfortably in MOM JEANS‘ Wheelhouse, whose jangly indie rock melodies uplift as much as they tug at the heartstrings. Jade Lilitri (formerly of STATE LINES) is the only permanent member of the band, and it’s easy to see why the songwriter has some very dedicated fans in tonight’s audience.
The band’s serenely melancholy take on a genre that can often get bogged down in heartbreak and melancholy is certainly refreshing, and it resonates strongly with those in attendance tonight. While not as immediately appealing as openers, BEAR BEAR They have certainly piqued the interest of many potential new fans. reindeer games is the highlight of the set, with lilitriThe melodious voice in the chorus “if you want we can stay here” evoking a misty afternoon in the arms of a lover.
Rating: 7/10
Aiming to finish early for an evening excursion to continental Europe, tonight’s headliners take the stage just after 8:30pm to a packed house. Perhaps in part because a snippet of one of his songs went viral on TikTok during the pandemic, there’s a good spread of the demographic tonight and everyone’s going crazy for the opening. Cry Baby (on phone). In fact, all the tracks from his 2022 album Sweet tooth – aptly named for its sugary pop-punk melodies – treat yourself to a treat.
What’s happening makes the crowd jump, as a leader Eric ButlerR let the audience scream the song’s bridge of self-awareness and self-loathing “I’m a fucking piece of shit / and you hate me for it!” Things slow down a bit for *sobs quietly*a delightfully self-aware track from their 2016 debut Best friends. Between his banter on stage and his impressive dance moves, MOM JEANSThe good humor is consistently delivered, further appealing to an already adoring audience.
There are very few breaks in the set: one could criticize and say that white trash millionaire doesn’t hit quite as loud without the enthusiastic horn section of the album’s recording, but overall MOM JEANSThe lovely, unpolished sound looks wonderful on the live stage. Like the cannabis variety that gives the song its name, girl scout cookies it casts an uplifting haze over the listener, with its shimmering lead guitar lines in the backend gently inducing a sense of melancholy bliss. Tie Die Acid Trip delights with its pensive, psychedelic riffs, while the lively Edward 40 hands go bassist sam kless exposing their glorious belly tattoos, to whoops and whoops from the audience.
Without wanting to disappoint, Butler returns to the stage for a one-song encore. “We weren’t going to come all the way here and not touch this,” says the leader, as he bursts into Scott Pilgrim vs. my GPA. The post-breakup anthem is unexpectedly moving, with ButlerBandmates joined him onstage and handed him a trumpet for the song’s famous horn section. As tonight’s attendees begin to sing along to that crescendo, this reviewer was shocked to find his cheeks drenched in tears, and we’re willing to bet he wasn’t the only one.
Rating: 9/10
Check out our gallery of photos from Sarah Maiden Photography’s Birmingham night action here:
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