Brum Shots

Tonight has been a long time coming for fans and band alike. After near death illness and plans scarpered by a worldwide pandemic, Dinosaur Pile-Up are starting their first tour in years at XOYO in Birmingham.

Brighton’s Snake Eyes are first on, performing a mix of classics from their existing EPs and as of yet unheard tracks from their debut album, due next year. In a positive and heartwarming set, they preach love and community to the growing crowd. And their pledge to donate their profits from tonight’s show to Greenpeace sets a positive, conscientious tone for the evening.

Next up are The Xcerts, who are no stranger to the Dinosaur Pile-Up fan base having supported them in 2011. What Snake Eyes started they happily continue, turning the volume and energy up to match the room. Their set reached deep into their early catalogue, with songs like Kids On Drugs and Shaking in the Water echoing the sound they’ve been honing since their beginnings, While the phantom Biffy Clyro fan of past Birmingham gigs may have stayed away, a robust Xcerts crowd certainly was not.

Then comes Dinosaur Pile-Up. They parade on stage to the sound of Beasty Boy’s ‘Fight For Your Right (To Party)’ – you don’t realise how literal that song title is until you read about vocalist Matt Bigland’s health struggles since their last album. Their aptly titled album ‘I’ve Felt Better’ was released just 2 weeks before the start of their tour, but that hasn’t stopped the crowd singing along at deafening volumes.

Starting with album opener ‘Bout To Lose It,’ it’s clear the newest tracks are among the fan favourites – ‘Sick Of Being Down’ and ‘Love’s The Worst’ receive some of the most welcoming receptions of the night.

After navigated the unexpected hiccup of a broken snare drum (apparently this has occurred in Birmingham before – are we the problem?) the set shows no signs of slowing down and maintains a high energy perfect for a Friday night.

We’re treated to a wide range of the band’s back-catalogue – ‘Stupid Heavy Metal Broken Hearted Loser Punk’ and ‘Round The Bend’ from their 2019 album ‘Celebrity Mansions’ are played early in the set and prove that the band have strengthened as their careers have progressed.

The encore ends the night on a definite high note – ‘Big Dogs’ and ‘Back Foot’ are both raucous and unforgettable. It’s clear tonight has meant a lot of the band and audience alike, and it’s undeniable that Dinosaur Pile-Up are back with a bang!