It’s been a long time coming, but it’s good to be back. After a fairly pleasant journey from South Wales to England’s second city, it was nice to step inside a rammed dingy room waiting for four members who’ve represented The Alarm at various stages of its existence and for the first time led by Eddie McDonald, co-writer of a lot of the band’s biggest and most memorable songs.
Before a foot was stepped on the stage, it was already a sweaty mass waiting for those acoustic guitars to be raised high and ‘Declaration’ to ring out into the fresh night air. With beaming smiles, Eddie and James looked comfortable, and it was also a joy to see Craig Adams back on the four-string on the stage right. ‘Declaration’ made way for ‘Marching On’, and whilst Eddie will be the first to admit he’s not trying to fill Mike’s shoes but it was always about the music and honouring the songs and the guys on the stage have bought into this and by the look and sounds of it, so was Birmingham.
Sure, it was about the first wave of The Alarm, and I’m not interested in the politics of the name and who, why and wherefores; it was enough to drag me almost two hundred miles on a school night to sing along to songs that have been with me most of my life and the energy from the stage was reciprocated from the audience. The band didn’t sound tight, but they sounded fuelled with energy and love for what they were committing to, and it felt right. Sure, Eddie forgot some words and chords, but that didn’t matter not to me. It was wonderful to see and hear him and to witness the smiles and passion with which the band were playing. This was Rock n Roll with the spirit of the origins of the band; regardless of the lineup, it was exciting, and the songs sounded great.
I’ve always loved Adams thump, and alongside Smiley they are a formidable rhythm section and with James owning the tone and solos, he uses Sharpe’s licks and adds his own Twist (no Pun Intended), and he looked like he was having a ball playing these songs. ‘Absolute Reality’ followed by ‘Where Were You Hiding’ had the room bouncing, taking me back to the Marquee days when ‘The Stand’ was given a shot of energy.
The rework of ‘Rain In The Summer Time’ and ‘Strength’ was spot on, and Eddie looked to be gaining his road groove, and after the frantic rush of hitting the stage with this band had settled down, he looked as if he was having the best time honouring the music. The highlight for me was hearing ‘We Are The Light’ followed by a wonderful version of ‘Tell Me’ and a tip of the hat to Mr Sharp and his songwriting.
‘Knifedge’, ‘Deeside’ and ’68 Guns’ were all knocked out like time had stood still, sure it seems raw and weird not hearing Mike singing or being front and centre, but this was different and paying respect and doing it so well, it was an absolute pleasure to witness this first night of the short reawakening tour. No egos, no pressure to have hits or new music, just playing for the love of the music and what it means to so many, no agenda, just happy smiling faces.
‘Rescue Me’ signalled the last song of the main set and a brief walk off stage before being called back for an encore and an emotional ‘Spirit Of 76’ where Eddie spoke of why the song was written it was as the breakdown was reached Eddie looked like he was living every lyric and delivering it with so much passion and love he was choked and became visible emotional but soon regained his composure and saw the song out before leaving us with a blistering ‘Blaze Of Glory’ and we were done.
Rock n Roll by the seat of your pants, just like it’s meant to be, or at least for some of us. Loud, loose, and in love with music, it was a pleasure to be there and share in the magic. A band who came across as having a blast and loving it and making music in the moment to be consumed and enjoyed and remembering those who started this train who aren’t here in body or spirit, but thanks to nights like this, the music will live on forever. Nice one, Eddie, James, Smiley and Craig, that was a blast.
Author: Dom Daley
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