I'm still astounded that I managed to get tickets to see The Cribs play the absolutely tiny venue - The Oobleck, last week! The band actually commented that this was the smallest venue they'd ever played in Birmingham. It was just so perfect. Everyone lucky enough to get tickets to see them on this small venue tour knows how I feel.

Menace Beach were the only support act. After seeing them support Pulled Apart By Horses here last year, I wasn't that impressed so I was interested to see what they'd be like now after a few months. They were actually much better! They had much more energy and confidence! I'm not sure if it was because of the slightly smaller crowd or the fact that they've now recently released their debut album, but they smashed it. They did so well in fact that it made me want to get my hands on the record, as I was pretty unsure before. They did a good job and who knows, they might actually end up being a bit of a big deal.

Then, the moment everybody was gagging for - The Cribs. Even before Menace Beach stepped on you could feel the crowd steeling themselves for what was to come. The Jarman's entered to screams, cheers and chants of the riff from "Another Number". It felt like a homecoming - the crowd was in it with them from beginning to end and the band didn't let us down. Opening up with "Mirror Kissers", the crowdsurfers were quick off the bat. You could tell that everyone was there to have a good time, band included as they sang through their setlist smiling from ear to ear. Even six albums on in their career, it can be shows like this that are most poignant in memory. They played through old classics like "Our Bovine Public", "Hey Scenesters!" and of course "Men's Needs". The last of these in particular went off! The crowd singing all the lyrics, backing vocals and riffs - it was a surreal moment. As well as classics, it was nice to hear that their new songs like "Burning For No-One" and "Pink Snow" sounded just as musically epic as their older material. Of course the price you pay for playing a small venue gig is the heat levels. Everything was drenched in sweat... even the walls. However, everyone was too merry to care. Killer set and stellar band.

Overall rating - 8.5/10


Here are some pictures from the night...

Now for the final part of January's music news and after this we can start off February on a clean slate and with glorious new music on our iTunes...

YEARS & YEARS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "KING"
So I've actually only just caught wind of Years & Years in 2015 but they're good... like really good! I saw them featuring on Tourist's newest track "Illuminate" and since then they've just continued to impress me. I'm interested to see what an entire record of theirs would be like but for now check out their new music video here.


NAO NEW SINGLE "IN THE MORNING"
After her stunning support performance on the Little Dragon tour last year I've been waiting for something new to come from Nao. January just seems to be granting all of my wishes. If you get the chance to see her live, don't pass it up - great performer. I mean, just listen to these vocals here.


THE STAVES NEW SINGLE "STEADY"
Speaking of spectacular vocals, the queens of harmonies are back with a new track from their upcoming album - If I Was. I really love the way that this track swells - this is going to be a brilliant sophomore record. The Staves are definitely ones to check out if you haven't already. I'd start with this new single here.


THE NIGHT VI NEW SINGLE "TOO LATE TO LIE"
I've been writing abut The Night VI's new singles for over a year and a bit now and I still haven't heard a whiff of a new full length album!! As good as this new single here is, I am just more than ready for a full record.


DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE NEW SINGLE "BLACK SUN"
I've never really listened to Death Cab religiously. I've heard quite a few of their songs and I've liked each one including this new single here. However, now I think it's time for me to play catch up - I've missed out on a lot of good music here it would seem.


KANYE WEST, PAUL MCCARTNEY & RIHANNA NEW SINGLE "FOURFIVESECONDS"
There has been so much press surrounding this collaboration that it'd be pretty difficult for anyone to get away from it but I thought I'd write about it anyway. Although this might seem like a strange mix of artists at first, each of them offers up something great to make it work. Have a listen here.


ST. VINCENT NEW SINGLE "BAD BELIEVER"
I'm not sure that I'll ever figure out for certain how I feel about St. Vincent's music to be honest. This song does not appeal to me at all, but I know that a bunch of people out there will really enjoy it. I guess it's just each to their own in this situation but as much as I like St. Vincent as a person and a performer, most of her music is just not enjoyable. Have a listen here.


GENGAHR NEW SINGLE "SHE'S A WITCH"
It's nice to see this band getting a bit more well deserved recognition. I'm expecting to see Gengahr on a few festival line-ups this year for sure. But sadly as we're a long way from summer, have a listen to this great new single to tide you over - here.


THE CRIBS NEW SINGLE "AN IVORY HAND"
The Cribs are finally blessing us with a new single from their upcoming record and as expected, it's a good'un. I'm really looking forward to seeing them do this track justice live later this month. I'm not sure how many more awesome tracks they have left in them but I hope that it's a lot because this is a gem. Check it out here.


FAKE LAUGH NEW SINGLE "DOPEY HEAD"
Another discovery that I made earlier this year on Twitter. It was nothing like what I expected it to sound like. In an age of electronics, often this isn't what you expect to click on on Twitter. I can't say that I like Fake Laugh much but maybe in a different time this would be a really great track. See for yourself here.


LIL' WAYNE NEW SINGLE "FINGERS HURTING"
I honestly didn't think that Lil' Wayne would be making anymore solo music. I'd expected that he would feature on a couple artists' tracks here and there but I hadn't expected another whole album. However, here it is! And here is a new single from it. Let's just say, in my opinion, he should've stopped a long while ago.


FKA TWIGS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "PENDULUM"
Still taking the world by storm. Even though most people will have heard this song a long while ago, having the new music video with it can definitely make you like it more. FKA Twigs is just as much as visual artist as she is a vocal one and this new music video here shows just that.


PETITE NOIR NEW SINGLE "SHADOWS"
Just after the release of his new EP -The King of Anxiety - Petite Noir releases this single from it to the world. I'm not sure - I really liked Petite Noir when I first heard about him last year and I was worried that the novelty would wear off a little bit. However, this new track here has definitely proven me wrong.


THE SUBWAYS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "TAKING ALL THE BLAME"
A name that I've heard around me countless times but have never really gotten into. When I saw this new music video pop up on my timeline I thought, no time like the present. I'm a little sad it took this long but yeah The Subways are a cool band. Not "my new favourite" or anything but a strong band nonetheless. Here's the new video.


DANGERKIDS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "WE'RE ALL IN DANGER"
I just sincerely want Dangerkids to get all of the recognition owed to them because they are amazing! Diligently waiting on a headline UK tour but until then, fans can enjoy this awesome new music video here, and maybe catch them supporting Crown The Empire on their EU/UK tour.


THE PRODIGY NEW SINGLE "THE DAY IS MY ENEMY"
If somehow you haven't already heard, The Prodigy have announced a relatively small venue UK tour commencing later this year AND they're releasing a new record - The Day Is My Enemy - out on the 30th of March. Check out the newly released title track here.


THE BOHICAS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "TO DIE FOR"
After seeing them at Field Day last year I knew that The Bohicas would be a strong studio band as they're each so technical gifted and precise. This new single (although fairly repetitive and predictable) proves me right. Have a watch of the slightly confusing but surprisingly entertaining new music video here.


DAVID GUETTA NEW LYRIC VIDEO "WHAT I DID FOR LOVE (FEAT. EMELI SANDE)"
It's been a long while since I've seen Emeli Sande feature on anything so I'm hoping this means that there'll be a sophomore album out any day now! Her voice still sounds fabulous and David Guetta is still making those annoyingly catchy pop beats. Have a listen here.


GALLOWS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "BONFIRE SEASON"
YEEEESSSSS! 2015 really is going to be an insane year for album releases. Gallows' new record - Desolation Sounds - comes out on the 13th of April. It will be big. It will be beefy. And if this new single is anything to go by, it's sounding a little different too! Have a listen to the new sound here.


CHILDISH GAMBINO NEW MUSIC VIDEO "SOBER"
From his latest EP - Kauai - Childish Gambino. He's a strange character for sure but his music is anything but. All of his tracks catch my attention in one way or another and this single here is no different. The mind of a true artist - I would love to see him live one day!