BLUE OCTOBER, COCO AND THE BUTTERFIELDS @ INSTITUTE 2, BIRMINGHAM 22/02/2019

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First up tonight are Canterbury quintet Coco and the Butterfields, who are probably best described as an “English Indie Folk / Pop Band” A strange support I thought for this evening but after an infectious thirty-minute set they had the audience dancing and clapping along. They shared tender sing a long songs like `Monsters`, alongside more festival tinged floor fillers such as `Puppets` and `Robots` which has it`s own banjo solo. This troupe have toured constantly and have played numerous festivals and it shows in their stage craft. The have their own headline tour in October and would certainly be worth checking out.

I`m not sure if Blue October need an introduction but anyway, they are an alternative come art rock band from Houston, Texas and have been around for around twenty years now, Today`s line-up comprises Justin Furstenfeld (vocals, guitar), Ryan Delahoussaye (violin, mandolin, keyboards), Will Knaak (lead guitar), Matt Noveskey (bass) and Jeremy Furstenfeld (drums). The show kicks off with two of my favourite tracks with the wonderful guitar inflections and delicate beauty of `Sway` and `Say it` with it repetitive and catchy chorus.

`I Want It`, ` I`ll Do Me, You Do You` from the last album and the infectious `Into The Ocean` get an airing before Justin picks up an acoustic guitar and gives us a moving rendition of `Home` Another tune that really hits the spot tonight is `We Know Where You Go` Justin has been open and honest about his struggles with drink, drugs, anxiety and about his depression after his relationship breakup and gifts up one such song with the moving `Fear` The show closes out with `Coal Makes Diamonds` a song that reminded me of Peter Gabriel tinged with U2 and had the faithful bouncing up and down before `Leave It In The Dressing Room (Shake It Up)` and the boys are gone. It`s not too long before Justin returns with his guitar and Ryan joins him on piano to showcase what is probably the bands biggest hit with `Hate Me` an intense song written about his own drug addiction and depression. `The Worry List`, `All That we Are` and `How To Dance In Time` get an airing before the guys leave us with an uplifting version of `I Hope You`re Happy`

Blue October are quite an interesting band, they are gifted musicians, especially multi-talented Ryan Delahoussaye, produce an energetic performance live and really connect with the audience that only acts like Frank Turner seem to. They share personal thought-provoking lyrics over some catchy melodic tunes. What I came away with is a band that has given me some songs to cherish and some insights to challenge my own comfort zone. An inspiring night to reflect on.

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