Brum Shots

Geographically and population-wise, Birmingham is undisputedly the UK’s second city. But that doesn’t stop cities like Manchester and Edinburgh from snipping at our heels, trying to clinch that title from us. Sure, Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and Manchester have undeniably left a hefty footprint on British music history, but does that take away from Birmingham’s achievements?

On Saturday night at Mama Roux’s, our city was pitted directly against these two rivals. Not based on economy, cultural significance or number of Greggs per square foot. No, this was a contest of how loud we can sing, how high we can jump and how hard we can mosh in a sweaty, sold out venue on a hot, spring evening. The attendees from the last couple of dates have have, by all accounts, brought it, and now it’s our turn to leave a mark on the tour. But thanks to opening sets Overgrown and the local TNL VZN, we’re more than ready for this challenge.

The set kicks off with Eat My Dust!, the lead single from their latest EP of the same name and one that opened 2026 off to a great start for Dead Pony. It’s loud, it’s angry, it’s hard not to move in what little intimate space we have. We blast through the EP almost in full throughout the set, with follow-up single Freak Like Me and Lost Inside Of Me as notable highlights of the night.

Vocalist Anna Shields effortlessly makes the most of the tight stage space to command the sweaty audience. She could just as comfortably take on a venue ten times the size.

Dead Pony’s debut album, IGNORE THIS, was released in 2024, and fan’s appetite for hits like RAINBOWS and COBRA have only got stronger since then. We’re treated to an Alanis cover of You Oughta Know – the signature angst that she is so know for is a clear inspiration for Dead Pony.

Having opened for Kids In Glass Houses last year and just recently pulled the crowds in at Slam Dunk Festival, it’s exciting to look ahead at what’s next for the Glaswegian quartet. With comparisons to other alternative acts like VUKOVI and Kid Kapichi flying around, they could be outgrowing these smaller venues sooner rather than later.

Short and sweet, the set clocks in at under an hour. We finish as we started, with a second rendition of Eat My Dust! It’s safe to say that as an audience, Birmingham have given our all, and we’re given final confirmation that we are, officially, the best date of the tour so far. I’m completely certain they don’t say that every night. Eat my dust, Manchester.