Live Review: Nova Twins - O2 Academy 2, Birmingham
2nd March 2023
Support: Witch Fever, Uninvited
Words & Photos: Damian John
Arriving early to get a spot near the front I’m already amazed by how many people have decided to come down early to show their support for tonight's opening act; Uninvited.
While initially plagued with a small handful of technical issues, the Glaswegian four piece Uninvited make the most of their half an hour set with Taylor Ray and Gillian Dhlakama trading vocal duties. 'Is anyone here queer?' asks front person Gillian Dhlakama before exploding into their penultimate song which has the Birmingham crowd clapping along in excitement from the front to the back. Finishing with their latest single, Uninvited absolutely smashed the O2 tonight, not bad for their first time in the second city.
Bathed in a soft orange glow, Witch Fever bassist Alex Thompson emerges from sidestage, picks up their bass and lets a few distorted notes ring out, followed by guitarist Alisha Yarwood, drummer Annabelle Joyce and vocalist Amy Walpole they kick into their first song of the evening; ‘I Saw You Dance’. Parting the crowd Amy jumps into the audience to belt out ‘Reincarnate’ before returning to the stage to dedicate their next song ‘Bully Boy’ to Brianna Ghey, a transgender person who was murdered a few weeks prior. A strong roar from the crowd is heard in support of Amy’s message also signifying that this is a safe space and an open venue where people are free to be whomever they please, supported by several signs around the venue notifying that you’re welcome to speak to staff or Nova Twins crew if you do not feel safe and need support. Ending their set with ‘Congression’ into ‘Blessed Be Thy’ we now wait for our headliners, the incredible Nova Twins.
Blinded by strobes emanating from In-front of the drum kit, guitarist Amy Love and bassist Georgina South make their way to the stage and straight into ‘Fire and Ice’ followed by the powerful ‘Cleopatra’ both from Nova Twins 2022’s album Supernova. ‘Fire And Ice’ hits hard with its aggressive chorus which has the sold out Birmingham crowd shouting at the top of their lungs. Ditching her guitar to perform ‘Toolbox’, Amy controls the stage whipping her hair back and forth and slamming her microphone into the sky.
‘Toolbox’ is followed by one of their greatest hits ‘Wave’, ‘Puzzles’ and into ‘Sleep Paralysis’ before another crowd favourite ‘Taxi’ with its iconic riff from 2020's 'Who Are The Girls?' album, never once losing any momentum. Amy’s vocals are a real highlight throughout the night with her crystal cleans effortlessly switching to her harsher tones and rap passages. Just as you think the energy level can’t go any higher Amy and Georgina venture through the packed crowd into the moshpit to perform the first half of ‘Choose Your Fighter’ before making their way back to the stage to end the night.
All photo credits: Damian John Photography
