Live Review: Those Damn Crows - Birmingham
Support: Autumn Kings, James Bruner
30th October 2025
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
Wales’ greatest rock export Those Damn Crows continue to build towards world domination and off the back of their latest album, God Shaped Hole, hit the road this autumn with a huge UK headline tour. Tonight they hit Birmingham for what is set to be an explosive show.
James Bruner kicked off the night with ‘Switchblade’, instantly grabbing the crowd’s attention with slick riffs and swagger. From ‘Can’t Keep Wanting You’ onwards, technical gremlins struck, his guitar fought him and won, but Bruner and his band refused to falter. They powered through ‘Redlight’, ‘Big Shot’, and ‘Alibi’ with grit and energy, turning adversity into attitude. By the time ‘I Get Everything’ closed the set, they’d won the room over through sheer determination.
A rocky start maybe, but Bruner proved he’s got the fire to make it count.
Canadian rockers Autumn Kings hit the stage like a storm, tearing into ‘SLEEP WHEN I’M DEAD’ with explosive energy and razor-sharp precision. Their mix of melodic hooks and hard-hitting grooves had the crowd instantly hooked, with ‘Terrified’ and ‘POWER’ pushing the intensity higher,the latter featuring a blistering drum solo that left jaws on the floor. Confident, polished, and full of fire, this was a band clearly built for big stages.
By the time they ripped through ‘Snake Charmer’ and a ferocious ‘Bleed It Out’ cover, Autumn Kings had the Birmingham crowd eating out of their hands. ‘HELLBOUND’ closed the set with fists in the air and grins all around, a tight, adrenaline-fueled performance that proved these guys aren’t just another support act. They’re a headline band in waiting.
Those Damn Crows stormed into Birmingham with the kind of confidence only a band at the top of their game can carry. From the opening notes of ‘Dancing With the Enemy’, the Welsh rockers lit a fire under the packed O2 Institute crowd, frontman Shane Greenhall commanding the stage with his trademark mix of swagger and sincerity.
The energy never dipped as ‘Man on Fire’ and ‘No Surrender’ followed, every chorus a rallying cry belted back by a faithful crowd that have been with them since the beginning. Greenhall’s connection with the audience was electric, his voice soaring above a wall of guitars and thunderous drums. By ‘Find a Way’ and ‘Spit & Choke’, the band really hit their stride, every riff and rhythm landing with precision and purpose.
Mid-set, the band flexed their emotional muscle. ‘Glass Heart’ and ‘Dreaming’ had the room swaying under the glow of phone lights. Yet even in their quieter moments, the Crows radiated power, their delivery was raw and heartfelt.
Then came the home stretch, and it was pure dynamite. ‘Who Did It’, ‘I Am’, and ‘Go Get It’ had the floor shaking, the band feeding off the crowd’s relentless energy. ‘Sin on Skin’ hit like a freight train, and ‘This Time I’m Ready’ felt anthemic as voices united in a final chorus. Those Damn Crows make this look effortless.
They closed with ‘See You Again’, a perfect curtain call that left the room buzzing. As the final chords faded, one thing was clear: Those Damn Crows were setting the sky ablaze as they took flight once more.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
