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Review & Photos: Mindless Self Indulgence @ 02 Academy Birmingham [Live]

26th October 2012 // Support from Taking Hayley and The Dead Betas

by keti, October 29th, 2012 and has been Read 1906 times.
Last Edited by: keti November 1st, 2012.

After their 2008 release of ‘If’ Mindless Self Indulgence return three years later on a UK and European tour. Tonight the four piece electronic punk band played Birmingham 02 Academy’s main room. Whilst the show was not entirely sold out the room held a crowd more than excited for their return.



Birmingham’s own brummie pop, rock band Taking Hayley had the pleasure of gracing the stage before MSI. After a year full of achievement, supporting Mcfly, after winning the Battle Of The Bands competition, completing several mini tours and also releasing their album ‘Tricks & Games’, Taking Hayley are proving themselves worthy of success.







Although the style of their music is different to MSI’s, I mean come on who could compare to MSI’s unique sound? The band get the crowd dancing, if not nodding along to a few songs. It’s clear Taking Hayley have their Birmingham fans in their hometown crowd, but by playing a cover of Labrinth’s Earthquake the rest of the crowd can’t help but mouth along the words and nod along.



As the light dims, the crowd goes mental, our own British national anthem is played as the band one by one appear on stage. Opening with Shut Me Up sets the crowd up for a crazy night, as Jimmy runs on stage he uses Kitty’s drum ridge as a and platform jumps off into the start of the song. From the get go it’s clear that MSI are not the kind of band to spend too long on stage, Steve Righ jumps off stage during the first few songs and continues playing guitar whilst wandering round at the back of the room.







If you’ve never seen MSI before then you’re in for a surprise, the whole show is unpredictable, of course their going to play some songs you love but the entertainment provided by Jimmy through his random shout outs and interactions provides something else. Splitting the room into two Jimmy starts a chant of ‘boom’ from one side and ‘cha’ from the other, coming together to form a ‘boom boom cha’ imitating Queen’s We Will Rock You, leading into Jimmy’s own sexual version.





The set list tonight includes favourites Stupid MF, Issues, Faggot, and Bitches, of course they had to play Never Wanted Wanted to Dance which saw all those in the crowd singing and shouting at the top of their voices, and dancing too. Mid way during the set Jimmy half strips off revealing a cropped lace top much to the fans amusement as they scream.





As a frontman Jimmy is like no other, he brings each song to life through an array of movements, from robotic dancemoves to jumping off Kitty’s drum riser throughout the set, your eyes are constantly darting to follow him as well as keeping an eye on the rest of the band for their sporadic moments.



As a show MSI definitely have a theatrical feel to their shows, of course they’re full of craziness but it really makes their shows stand out. If you don’t like their music you’ll never understand their live shows, from demanding makeup from the crowd and drawing it all on your face to recording the crowd singing Happy Birthday to your 100 year old granpa… yes that’s an MSI show.





The night is brought to an end with Straight to video a 2007 release from you’ll rebel to anything and Jimmy Page, before Jimmy waves goodbye to the fans.


Review - Jemma Dodd
Photos - Jemma Dodd & Katja Ogrin