Live Review: Massive Wagons - O2 Academy, Birmingham
21st April 2023
Support: The Virginmary's
Words & Photos: Julie Lister
It was heated, jam-packed and sold out at the O2 Academy in Birmingham, on the evening of the 21st of April 2023 show featuring two of the finest bands in the North.
The evening started with rock duo The Virginmarys, starting with 'The Meds' and drummer Danny Dolan thrashing at his drums with immense energy and the chaotic playing style like Animal from The Muppets. Next was 'Portrait Of Red' followed by 'Lies Lies Lies' and with Ally Dickaty on Guitars and vocals they created the sound akin to a full piece band. Followed by 'NYC' and a very Thin Lizzyesque 'Motherless Land' including Dolan playing a church style bell for an impactful sound as well as the drums adding to the atmosphere.
The crowd were heavily intrigued and thoroughly enjoying their new wave sound, with mixed vocals completing each genre of rock, which was emphasised in the next two songs – 'Devil Keeps Coming' and 'Just a Ride' with Dickaty’s vocals enthralling the packed O2 Academy. The brilliant 'You’re A Killer' was followed by 'Look Out for My Brother' and the boys were in full flow. The set ended with 'Where Are You Now?' and 'Bang Bang Bang' leading to a massive ovation from the crowd.
Massive Wagons, who have cultivated a predominant fan base in the rock scene, upheld an admirable show, which captivated audience members enthralled by their outstanding performance. Main vocalist, Barry “Baz” Mills, entered onto the stage, adorning a chequerboard trench coat, when taken off revealed a neon yellow t-shirt which quoted “Strong Women Only Scare Weak Men” which predicted the eccentric performance to come with an infusion of political anarchy, reflecting in the punk style of Sex Pistols and their agenda, creating nostalgia and reminiscence for their fan base.
As the show began, the first song 'Gone Are The Days' from their latest album 'TRIGGERED!', the tempo of the song built up an enthralling atmosphere and the relatability of the lyrics caught the audiences emotions and really made them feel connected with the band. Baz's energetic presence on the stage with a bonus of confetti fired from cannons, directly into the audience. The following three songs 'Triggered', 'A.S.S.H.O.L.E.' and 'Sawdust' that are all featured on the aforementioned latest album.
The song 'Sawdust' in the performance, included pyrotechnics, which accumulated a thrilling response from the audience, with Alex Thistlethwaite on drums pounding his way through the set. The next song 'Buck' took fans right back to Wagons first album 'Fire it Up' with an inclusion of huge bursts of fog jets at the front of the stage. Adam Thistlethwaite and Stevie Holl on guitars is the perfect foil for Baz’s antics on stage with enigmatic bass player Bowz Bouskill maintaining a presence at the back of the stage.
Midway through the set, a melody of covers which included three hit songs, the most unpredicted being a rock rendition of 'Livin la vida loca'.
Throughout the whole set Barry “Baz” Mills used every bit of the stage to run, jump in the air, wave the mic stand over his head and to throw his hair back and forth whilst singing into the microphone and interacting with the fans.
Looking out at the packed audience with a wide range of ages including children, was a sea filled room of Massive Wagons band t-shirts from all different tours.
All photo credits: Julie Lister / Dark Wings Media
