Out and About With….. La Dharma
Gig Review
Dead Wax Digbeth
29th January 2022
On the eve of the 29th January I gathered my gadgets and ordered my taxi to head out to my first review gig of 2022. As you’ll know, when I do something for the first time I like to mix things up. So tonight I ventured out to Digbeth and the much loved venue that is Dead Wax. I will admit when I first got there, not having a clue where the venue portion of the bar was I was pretty convinced I’d walked into the wrong place. However a few quick questions and a trip up a dimly lit staircase later, I walked into a warm atmosphere and a crowd buzzing with energy.
Sadly I’d arrived too late and only caught the tale end of what I’m assuming, form the crowds rousing applause, was a great acoustic set from Lloyd Ballard. However, I did enjoy what I heard and will definitely keep my eyes peeled for more gigs involving him in future. Anyway, back o point. As the music kicked back in I scouted out the bar and also ran into a few familiar faces from some of my other favourite bands on the circuit (shout out Sunset Beach Hut and Mini Milk & The Kraves). Once I had a cider in hand it was time to get comfortable and witness a band that were a nice little bonus on tonights line up….Rosellas.
Hailing from Manchester, Rosellas were actually one of the bands I used to support via my show (Wednesday’s 10pm on Switch) when they dropped their new EP back in 2020. Since then they had been once of the bands I’d hoped to get to see live and tonight I got my wish. Gathering themselves on stage they crashed straight into their set. Immediately they hooked you in with their presence and tight performance. Their sound is like a more mature Oasis with undertones of pure Rock. Each note measured and held for just the right amount of time. They tore through some of my favourite tracks ‘Common Ground’ and ‘Born Under a Cloud’ adding even more energy and passion to what was on the racordings.
With the end of each song a cheer went up from the crowd and at several points as they played into a churning solo break it drew a few whistles and whoops from the gathered crowd. I even got to hear some brand new stuff that made me excited for their releases in ’22. Then to top the whole set off they needed with a blinder of an instrumental breakdown and brought the whole thing home with a crash. I don’t know if yo can tell, but they sure as hell blew me away.
Now was the time to see the band I’d come to see. La Dharma gathered on stage and as they set up it’s safe to say a flood of people pushed forwards and made their presence felt. I managed to claim a spot on the edge near the front and wound up next to what would turn out to be a very enthusiastic dancer for such a tight spot. Anyway, from the moment La Dharma kicked off, their alt-pop indie-rock vibe washing outwards, they poured everything into their performance. Each member radiating adrenaline and enthusiasm. As each final note rang out of each song the audience responded with just as much enthusiasm. With each track the crowd belted the words back to them and even though they were performing on a relatively small stage above a pub in Digbeth. Close your eyes and you could imagine them taking the roof off any stadium in the UK.
Finally the band teased the final song that sent the audience mental. Their latest release ‘Do You Know Why?’ Again, the audience sang along and fed off the electricity and atmosphere that poured out from the stage. There was no doubt at this point that the band had a big anthem on their hands. Sadly though as the song ended and the crowd snag the final line back to the band they immediately called for more. However it was time to make way for the main act of the night, Soul Love.
Unlike Rosellas and La Dharma, Soul Love were a brand new band to me. I’d been advised by several people on the lead up tonights gig that they were ‘Awesome’. So though, and I’ll admit it, I’d come down after an invitation from La Dharma it was a nice bonus to find the headline band being Soul Love.
From the crashing in of their first song the seemed to fill the room, seeming to make it double in size. Full of charisma and effortless talent the band churned up the crowd into a frenzy releasing the electricity that had been charging all night. Each original song went down a treat and they also treated the eager crowd to a peek at their forthcoming single. Needless to say it was well received. Sprinkle in a few disco covers delivered in a tongue in cheek style and they definitely impressed upon everyone in the room.
But, like all good things, the night came to an end and I was very glad I’d made the effort to get out and be part of another great night of live music in Birmingham. So if you come across any of these acts on al one up near you…don’t hesitate, just grab a ticket and thank me later.
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