Review: The Original Rudeboys, Birmingham O2 Academy3 10/07/13

Original by name and definitely by nature, the Dublin hip-hop/Indie trio of Neddy (rapper), Rob (vocals and guitar) and Walshy (ukulele) have a difference about them that makes them stand out – and it definitely works.

On their first ever UK headline tour the Dublin born band certainly had the audience in the palm of their hands, with numbers from their debut album This Life as well as some exceptional covers of well-known songs.

‘Blue Eyes’ kick started the set and got the crowd just as pumped as the band were for what was only their second headline show in England.

But the Irish boys looked at home in on stage in Birmingham; ‘Dublin Days,’ ‘Me and My Mind’ and ‘Bringing Me Down’ raised both the excitement and energy in the room, before their cover of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Give Me Love’ allowed for a sing along en-masse.

‘Feel The Same’ and ‘In Too Deep’ followed, two of the boys’ slower tracks, before flying through clear crowd favourites ‘Sunny Days and ‘Travelling Man.’

Neddy’s impeccable rapping skills were showcased further with ‘You Down With ORB’ and then it was the crowd’s turn to exercise their own vocals as the band covered ‘Someone like You’ and ‘Little Lion Man’ to completely raise the roof of Birmingham’s O2 Academy 3.

Supporting The Script earlier this year on their UK and Ireland tour definitely worked wonders, as the sold out venue belted out the last three numbers ‘Written Songs,’ Live Your Life’ and ‘Stars In My Eyes’ – raps and all – along with the band.

The last song, we were told, was written just as the band were starting out and it looks like just two years later they are beginning to make it big. You can't help but be drawn in by their charm and captivated by their true-to-life lyrics, and they can look back on last night as a terrific success. Birmingham will definitely welcome them back with open arms.

ORBs UK tour dates

Music that will never 'leave you cold'

Reading NME the other day and a certain part in an interview with The Killers really struck a chord with me…

‘Flowers bemoans the rise of EDM, which, he says, “has taken oven Las Vegas. Those guys – David Guetta, Deadmau5 – they’re the superstars. They’re doing residencies at the big casino nightclubs. I’ve always had a foot in the synth world, so some of that stuff is OK, but…”

It leaves you cold?

“I just don’t understand how you can get attached to it. How can it shape you, the way a rock band can shape you?”

That small snippet of interview, especially that last line, will stick with me for a long time. Because to me, it just says everything about why I listen to the music I do, and why I’m so attached to it.

Brandon Flowers on stage with the rest of The Killers. Image: Zimbio.com

I’m always asked why I’m so involved with bands and why I go on and on about them – probably to an extent of serious annoyance – all the time on Twitter, Facebook, even in person.

But unless you’re involved, I just don’t think you’ll ever get it. I’m a teenager who has grown up in a world dominated by social media, and if you hadn’t noticed by now I like to write about things I’m passionate about. I love having platforms to express myself on, and why shouldn’t I talk about good, real music?

After all, it deserves to be talked about. Because the main reason why I totally get what Brandon is saying is because music, real music, speaks to you more than EDM ever will.

David Guetta and the rise of EDM. Image: doandriodsdance.com

And for me, it goes further than just EDM. I’m a band person. I love nothing more than to hear something as simple as great lyrics, drums, a guitar and bass. That pure talent right there in just a few simple things brought to life by three, four or five talented individuals.

I’m not all for the Justin Biebers and One Directions of this world. I can’t even stomach Take That (choreographed moves are a no go zone for me). And please don’t get me started on The Wanted… ‘She can’t sing, she can’t dance, but who cares? She walks like Rihanna’ – The only thing I get from The Wanted’s latest hit is, indeed, ‘who cares’?

But, saying that, each to their own. For me personally it’s always been about great bands making even better music. Sure, people can be passionate about EDM and the like (it is great for a night out) but it does leave me wanting more, just something else. I want lyrics I can relate to, musicians I can look up to, and music I can sing along to.

That’s why I’ll gladly pay money to see a band more than once, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been started at blankly by people who don’t get why you’d see someone more than just one time; “isn’t once enough?” they ask, “surely it’s just the same each time?” But it’s not about that. When music really gets to you, you’ll go to see the same band or artist as many times as you can because you want to support them, show them appreciation, and most importantly have a great time.

The Script on their Worldwide Tour. Image: thescriptmusic.com

I’m an avid football fan and I go to matches all the time, it’s something I love and supporting a team and being part of something is a fantastic feeling. Supporting a band is more or less the same. The buzz, the enjoyment, the feeling part of something.

I wrote this blog in an attempt to explain my often over the top passion towards the bands I love and support – namely The Script and The Killers – but I appear to have rambled.

I guess what I was trying to say was in Brandon’s quote all along: “I just don’t understand how you can get attached to it. How can it shape you, the way a rock band can shape you?”

It's definitely an attachment – for life – and I owe a lot to the bands who have shaped me, and given me some pretty great memories along the way.