Unfortunately for Liberty Lies their slot begins shortly after the doors have opened so people are still making their way into the venue during their set. They may only have a short time to impress, but as the Black Country lads perform their melodic hard rock songs they make the right impact. Songs like ‘Beggars Belief’ and new single ‘Confessions Of An Effigy’ are potent and fulfilling. Halestorm’s drummer Arejay makes a guest appearance during final number ‘The Wire’, not behind a drum kit but up front on vocals; Arejay and the Liberty Lies lads look as if they are having a blast up on stage together. Liberty Lies have great potential and this will certainly not be the last we hear of them.

Next up are Rock & Rose favourites Halestorm. The Pennsylvanian quartet, fronted by Lzzy Hale, are no strangers to UK audiences having toured with Theory Of A Deadman, featured on the bill at 2010’s Taste Of Chaos Tour and Download Festival. Needless to say there are plenty of people within the sold out crowd who are familiar with the high energy performance Halestorm always deliver. Opening number ‘Love Bites (So Do I)’ gains the attention it demands; the ballsy rocker is a track featured on the quartet’s new EP ‘Hello, It’s Mz.Hyde’. The vigorous momentum continues as ‘It’s Not You’ comes out with full force.
With the release of their new album – ‘The Strange Case Of...’ – around the corner, new songs are showcased. ‘American Boys’ and ‘Freak Like Me’ are hard rocking and infectious. Halestorm’s radio-friendly rock ‘n’ roll is a resounding hit with the audience who bounce up and down as instructed when ‘Dirty Work’ is unleashed.
Lzzy’s a cappella rendition of Heart’s ’Crazy On You’ brings calmness. Guitarist Joe joins Lzzy onstage to begin the stunning ‘Familiar Taste Of Poison’, with bassist Joe and drummer Arejay returning to their positions in time for the second verse.
The zany Arejay is always delightful to watch, his drum solo is as entertaining as ever. Not content with using just his sticks, he takes a cymbal from its place and uses that to hit the rest of the kit before returning it and using his bare hands to keep the beat, the crowd clap along. “I love you Birmingham!” Arejay yells when he’s finishes.
The cover of Skid Row’s ‘Slave To The Grind’ is blistering and Lzzy really lets loose, resulting in the frontwoman being breathless by the time the song is complete! The raunchy ‘I Get Off’ rounds off a blinding set.

Halestorm could have easily been tonight’s headliners but that job goes to an equally outstanding band going by the name of Shinedown.
When ‘Sound Of Madness’ gets the set underway it is greeted like an old friend and is the perfect way to get the adrenaline pumping and voices warmed up. Introducing the first of three new songs - from the forthcoming ‘Amaryllis’ album - into the set, it’s evident the members of Shinedown are excited to have some fresh material to share. ‘Enemies’ is filled with energy and is as infectious as the flu virus: “you’ve got the world on its knees, you’re taking all that you please, you want more, but you’ll get nothing from me....” frontman Brent Smith sings powerfully as the crowd punch their fists in the air with delight.

Watching Shinedown live you can really see the tight bond they have as a band, the connection between Brent and guitarist Zach Myers is especially clear to see, the pair are constantly interacting with one another. ‘Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide’ sees everybody on the main floor jumping up and down and the powerful ‘Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)’ adding even more fuel to the liveliness. Even the slower numbers such as ‘If You Only Knew’, ‘The Crow & The Butterfly’ and ‘45’ carry as much energy and passion as their heavier counterparts.

The encore is the cue for a mass sing-along. First in line is the rousing anthem ‘Bully’ followed by the stirring rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd's ‘Simple Man’ by Brent and Zach. It’s no surprise that ‘Second Chance’ raises the roof, this epic song will never fail to garner an intense reaction. Speaking of intense, the brilliant ‘Fly From The Inside’ closes the awe-inspiring show. After hearing the shouts of ‘Shinedowwwwnnnn’ several times, Brent, Zach, bass guitarist Eric Bass and drummer Barry Kerch spend time throwing plectrums, drum sticks and set lists into the crowd before giving a final bow and exiting the stage. From the show of hands earlier in the set, a huge portion of the crowd has been made up of people seeing Shinedown for the first time; it’s a safe bet that every single person who raised their hand will be back the next time Shinedown return to Birmingham.

**More photos from the show can be found on the Rock & Rose Facebook page**

Shinedown
Halestorm
Liberty Lies

Preston five-piece Failsafe deliver their melodic rock with such enthusiasm, it’s clear to see they are enjoying every minute of their time onstage, and for those watching them it seems that the feeling is shared. Second song in and the crowd are waving their arms from side to side during the muscular ‘Only If We Learn’. The band go on to impress their audience further, as they perform a handful of songs - including: ‘Something To Someone’, ‘Skin & Bone’ and ‘Early Hours’ - from their forthcoming ‘Routines’ album, all of which go down well. Judging by their fervent live show and the quality of material they have to offer, Failsafe could well make their mark in 2012.

Next up are co-headliners Hawthorne Heights. Their diverse style of music is a hit with the Birmingham audience. Sometimes catchy, sometimes aggressive, melodic and screamo – this Ohio band are like a bag of mixed delights. Hawthorne Heights present a set crammed with some of the finest tunes from their first two albums: ‘The Silence In Black And White’ and ‘If Only You Were Lonely’. The toe tapping ‘Drive’ and a bite sized selection of more current material from the ‘Hate’ EP, including the EP’s title track and ‘Oceans’ are put into play, but it is really the older material that gets the crowd pumped up with songs such as ‘This Is Who We Are’ and ‘Ohio Is For Lovers’ setting the mosh pit into a frenzy. The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus have their work cut out.

The stage is filled with fog as the smoke machine is put to work. It’s not too long before the dark outlines of the band members can be seen as they walk out onto the stage. It’s a cold evening outside and it’s not much warmer inside the venue so you cannot blame singer Ronnie Winter for his decision to wear a large woollen hat. The Florida quintet swing into action with ‘In Fates Hands’.
Since their last visit to these shores The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has undergone more line-up changes and tonight we see how well the new additions - Josh Blake (lead guitar), Randy Winter (guitar) and Kris Comeaux (drums) - fit the Red Jumpsuit mould. Tonight they are on fine form and as a band they sound and look tight, so let’s hope the trio will be sticking around alongside Ronnie and bassist Joey Westwood for quite some time.
Another new addition to the RJA family is the latest album titled ‘Am I The Enemy’. ‘Fall From Grace’ and ‘Reap’ from the album join the likes of ‘Damn Regret’, ‘Choke’ and ‘False Pretense’.
Slowing things down a little, Ronnie grabs a stool and an acoustic guitar to present the powerful ‘Cat & Mouse’, ‘Don’t Lose Hope’ and the stunning ‘Guardian Angel’ in their purest form.
The band return and help wrap up the 50 minute set with ‘You Better Pray’ and the blistering ‘Face Down’. A really good show beginning to end - Monday nights are great when they are this action packed!

www.redjumpsuit.com
www.hawthorneheights.com
www.facebook.com/failsafeuk

According to their Twitter account, Crown Jewel Defense - aka CJD - is just another stadium rock band taking over the world. For now though they face the task of performing shortly after the doors have opened. The sparse crowd get familiar with CJD and their guitar-driven songs which have an essence of 80’s rock seeping through them; mix in some pop melodies with that and you get a promising insight of what to expect from the Californian rockers. ‘Alive Again’ is one of the highlights from the set.

What happens next is sheer entertainment that’s for sure; nothing can prepare Birmingham for Foxy Shazam. Unique, quirky and shall we say interesting? Foxy Shazam is one crazy package, taking you back to the time when The Darkness first unleashed their camp, over the top antics to the unsuspecting crowds, when they received a similar reaction of humorous confusion and the question ‘is this for real?’
Beginning their show with a speech about the colour blue has people scratching their heads: “To many of you people blue is just a colour” lead singer Eric Nally whines in his Willy Wonka-esque voice, “but to all of us on-stage blue is our f****ing soul” he screams. Then the madness really begins. Gambols across the stage, headstands, balancing bass guitar’s on fingers and not forgetting bearded keyboardist Sky White's wild playing methods. These shenanigans are a big part of the show and the songs are merely the soundtrack. From their self-titled major label debut, tracks such as ‘Oh Lord’, ‘I Like It’, ‘Unstoppable’ and ‘Killin’ It’ are aired to a crowd who are still trying to figure out whether or not they really should be feeling so entertained by Foxy Shazam. Is it a case of ‘so bad it’s good’? The jury is still out on that one but Foxy Shazam certainly had people talking, and there is a high chance that should the Ohio troupe re-visit these shores in the future, they will see quite a few faces from this audience again.

After five years the original members of The Darkness are re-united and back to bring their fun-filled retro-rock show to a host of sold-out venues on their Every Inch Of The UK Tour. Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’ plays over the PA System; the lights go down and the Lowestoft quartet walk on to the stage to a chorus of cheers. Opener ‘Black Shuck’ starts the show with a bang, fireworks shoot across the stage, while the deliriously catchy ‘Growing On Me’ ignites the first of many energetic sing-alongs we’ll hear this evening. One hour 35 minutes packed with the hits from their two albums ‘Permission To Land’ and ‘One Way Ticket To Hell…and Back’ as well as some new material including ‘Concrete’ and ‘Cannonball’. Those who feared Justin Hawkins high pitched singing voice may not be on par in 2011 will be pleased to hear that Hawkins still has it! Bassist Frankie Poullain gets the cowbell out for ‘One Way Ticket To Hell…and Back’ before old song ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us’ makes a come-back and ‘Get Your Hands Off My Woman’ causes a stir. New song ‘Out Of This World’ brings a catchy pop-melody and goes down well with the crowd; dare it be said, it sounds like it would fit nicely with pop-rock boy band McFly’s collection of hits. A beautiful acoustic solo rendition of ‘Holding My Own’ by the frontman has the crowd swaying their arms from side to side while the epic ‘Love Is Only A Feeling’ reminds you just how darn good these guys are. Twelve songs in and we finally see the return of Justin’s signature attire – the catsuit – this one is red and white. The infectious ‘Is It Just Me?’ is backed by the first of two cover’s, Radiohead’s ‘Street Spirit (Fade Out)’; the second cover - Queen’s ‘Tie Your Mother Down’ - features as part of the encore.

Celebrating the festive season early, artificial snow falls onto the stage as ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)’ rounds off the main part of the set. The energy from both the band and the crowd throughout has made for an unforgettable experience. After a magical performance of ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ Justin tells the Birmingham masses: “We haven’t played to a crowd like you for many moons. We’ve enjoyed every second of it!” Show closer ‘Love On The Rocks With No Ice’ sees the frontman heading out into the audience sat on the shoulders of a member of the crew, playing guitar as he goes. “Tell your friends the Darkness are back!” Justin shouts out as the band say their goodbyes. The Darkness are back and judging by their performance tonight their return will see them bigger and better than ever, just wait and see!

**More photos from the show can be found on the Rock & Rose Facebook page**

The Darkness
Foxy Shazam
Crown Jewel Defense

Birmingham pop-rockers host another fun-filled night at the Academy 2, with a cracking line-up of bands. Escaping Vendetta is the first to take to the stage and the female-fronted quartet gets the evening off to a good start. These locals may be relatively new to the scene having formed earlier this year, but they appear to be confident and at ease. Their songs are pleasing to the ear and they even manage to make a cover of Rhianna’s ‘S & M’ sound half decent so they must be doing something right!

Birmingham has always bred a wealth of talent and nights like tonight prove that the talent is still thriving. Step forward Nine Days Lane. Sounding like they’ve taken a leaf or two out of the Fall Out Boy melody book, these guys provide likeable, toe-tapping songs which get those at the front clapping along. An impressive and enjoyable set which leaves you wanting to hear more.
No Lights At Lockdown from Wales also go down well. Delivering catchy, energetic songs including current single 'The Getaway', 'Stick & Stones' and a vivacious rendition of David Guetta's 'When Love Takes Over'; No Lights At Lockdown is definitely a band to keep your eyes and ears wide open for.

Having toured extensively around the UK and Ireland for the past couple of years, Dublin crew Jody Has A Hitlist are no strangers to the crowd here tonight and the girls in the front row squeal with delight as the band take their places on stage. What follows is a sprightly onslaught of pop-rock injected with a handful of memorable hooks - ‘Through It All’, ‘Hit Me Like A Hurricane’, ‘Comebacks Aren’t Your Thing’ and ‘Nobody’s Looking At You’ - seemingly ticking all the right boxes for those watching.

The other bands may have raised the bar fairly high but Octane OK sure manage to rise to the challenge and leap right over it. Tearing into ‘Pretty Lady’ they sweep the crowd off their feet in an instant. Do you want to hear hugely infectious melodies? Do you want a band with an energetic stage presence? These qualities do not just ooze, they pour out of Octane OK. The crowd jump along to latest single ‘The One’ and bob happily along to sparkling pop-rock delights like ‘Already Know You’, ‘Curtain Call’ and ‘Parties Over’. A couple of new songs tantalise the taste buds while old favourite ‘Take Take’ helps cement Birmingham’s number one position as the loudest crowd of the tour so far. All too soon the short but very sweet set draws to a close as red balloons fill the air during the incredibly catchy ‘Fly Again’. It’s pretty clear to see that Octane OK is going from strength to strength; it will not be long until this band is headlining the main Academy next door.

**More photos from the show can be found on the Rock & Rose Facebook page**

Octane OK
Jody Has A Hitlist
No Lights At Lockdown
Nine Days Lane
Escaping Vendetta