We are here this afternoon thanks to the superb initiative of the UK-wide grassroots music alternative to Glastonbury’s fallow year, which is Everywhere At Once, powered by The National Lottery and the Music Venue Trust. It features over 2,000 acts across 400+ grassroots venues, running from June 26–28, 2026. The go-to venue in my day was The Jug of Ale in the neighbouring suburb of Moseley, where I saw up-and-coming bands such as Ash, Oasis, Placebo, These Animal Men, Misty’s Big Adventure, Menswear, Ocean Colour Scene, and many, many more. At the time, I thought it would go on forever. It closed in May 2008 and is now an upmarket restaurant, so it`s imperative to support these grassroots venues.
Today, The Hare & Hounds, for me is Birmingham`s leading venue for established and up and coming acts and what better band could play this esteemed event than Birmingham`s own local heroes Solar Eyes.
Solar Eyes are a core duo of Glenn Smyth and Sebastian Maynard Francis who create technicoloured tunes that stretch across acid-dipped sonic landscapes and blissed-out melodies that have drawn comparisons to Primal Scream and the Chemical Brothers. They are joined this afternoon by Dave McCabe on lead guitar and Liam Connolly on bass.
There`s no fuss as the quartet hit the stage and share a trio of cuts from the bands self-titled debut album with the rolling rhythmic `Alcatraz` about a difficult and ultimately doomed relationship, the superbly hypnotic foot tapper `(At Least) Paranoia loves You` and `Roll the Dice` a dreamy track that encourages us to make the best of what we have, an anthem or aphorism that encourages us to `carpe diem` or seize the day. Inbetween this trio of tracks is `Set the Night on Fire` from last year`s `Live Freaky! Die Freaky!` sophomore album, a number about the devils’ temptations and the desires to cause carnage.
It`s back in the mists of time for the wonderfully trippy `Nothing`s For Free` before another cut from last year`s kinda concept album with `Murdering Hippies!` which is about losing grip on reality, torn between love and survival, haunted by the knowledge that the person you love is capable of murder. Glenn expresses some unease or apprehension about the album and it`s content but for me I thought it was fairly innovative. Charles Manson and the Family still hold a fascination for many of us even after his shockingly brutal crimes from the end of the sixties and death nearly nine years ago.
The absorbing swirling `Time Waits For No One` follows before recent single `Be Under No Illusion` a release that has haunted me since its issue last month. It`s one of those songs that will get into your head and have you singing and humming along for the rest of the day, a real groove laden psychedelic journey. Sadly all good things come to an end and the band take their leave with the spellbinding `Take Me to the Man` which fragments into The Stooges `I Wanna Be Your Dog` and that`s it and Birmingham`s psychedelic cosmic explorers are done and dusted, at least for now.
I can`t believe that it`s only twenty eight months since Solar Eyes entered my life and in that time they have released two stunning albums, two extended plays and a three track single and i`ve seen them live five times.
To me they are one of the most underrated bands around but these days as I head towards my seventh decade I try not to dwell on the rights and wrongs of popularity in music but if i`m honest I’d love to see them fly and be able to muse on seeing them in such an intimate venue as the Hare & Hounds, here`s hoping!!!!
