Print & Features Editor Ash Sutton attends B-Town Indie Night, praising the musical talent and sense of community it provides
Another Wednesday night, another B-Town gig. It’s starting to become a ritual now. One night a month, I grab my three best friends, and we trek all the way to The Rainbow Pub in Digbeth. We grab a drink and sit under the disgustingly humid heater in the same booth in the beer garden. Lucas downs his penalty pint as punishment from his football team and films it, and at 7pm sharp, we head down to the basement for a night of fabulous music and fabulous people.
The eighth instalment of B-Town was pitched to me as having a ‘more complimentary line-up’ than September. Starring Midlands-based indie pop band Banoffee, The Bunny Suit who were formed earlier this year at a university in Manchester, a returning set from Naomi Dawes and electronic hybrid three-piece Lycio. The bands did complement each other well in styles, though the music did not get boring in the slightest. To be quite honest, this has been my favourite B-Town line-up to date.
The quality of the entire set was amazing and the covers they chose fit excellently with the genre of their own music.
Banoffee opened the night, the duo as of the time of writing has only one song released to the public, however performed a collection of unreleased originals and covers. The quality of the entire set was amazing and the covers they chose fit excellently with the genre of their own music. Both members had an innocence to their voices that complimented their genre and made for a beautiful set. The music had a jazz and soul-esque composition, the instrumental combined with the smooth harmonies made the girls’ talent intensely obvious.
The Bunny Suit moved into a more punk-style set. The band began as a solo project and only became the trio that performed for the B-Town audience merely a couple of months ago. You wouldn’t have been able to tell as the chemistry between the band members was infectious. The Bunny Suit brought the energy to the lineup, contrasting well with the sweeter melodies of banoffee.
Naomi Dawes wasn’t supposed to be on the B-Town set list. She became a surprise guest star the day of the gig, and just an hour before the doors opened she stepped in to take the place of The Lanks. I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Naomi live the first time I attended a B-Town gig in July and I was instantly obsessed. I know I am not to be biassed, however Naomi Dawes is one of the most incredible talents, she captures the audience and leaves them mouth agape and utterly in love. Her hip-hop inspired synth records are magnificent and truly professional. Promotor Tim Senna always pitches B-Town as a place to display small artists who should be selling out arena shows, and Naomi, along with the other bands of the night, would truly deserve every part of that success.
The collection of songs were undeniably catchy and was a perfect way to end an incredible night.
The headlining act Lycio finished the night with a bang. By this point my feet were killing me so I watched the set from the booth at the back of the room. Unfortunately, because I am awfully short, this did impair my ability to see much of the stage. However, even without being able to see the band and the way they held the stage, I was still absolutely struck by the talent. The lead singer Genie Mendez was a powerhouse of a vocalist. The collection of songs were undeniably catchy and was a perfect way to end an incredible night. I research each artist following a B-Town gig, and Lycio is definitely one of a kind. The success and following they have to date is only a small fraction of what should be appropriate for a group as gifted as theirs.
I will always rant and rave about B-Town and the amazing things it advocates for. Birmingham was once so enriched with musical talent, it is only right someone takes it upon themselves to build the city back up to its roots. It is an amazing thing to be able to spotlight talent in the way Tim Senna and Nick Barlow do with B-Town, but it is ultimately down to the audience to make the night as special as it. There is such a strong sense of community and passion in that room, and while the crowds are not as dense as they should be, the love for the craft is awe-inspiring. The next B-Town night is Thursday 7th November, and though the details are yet to be released, I would strongly advise to come along if you’re available and support incredible talent and an incredible mission.
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