LIVE REVIEW: Tax The Heat @ The Rainbow, Birmingham
WORDS: Dean Martin PHOTOS: Jakk Smith
In 2013 TAX THE HEAT exploded onto the scene and immediately began supporting a great number of bands across the UK, and just recently in Europe. This time they’re headlining their own tour supported by COLD FIELDS and LEOGUN.
Birmingham’s own COLD FIELDS kicked off the night in The Rainbow venue, and they were the right people to do it. The gentle, but distinctly rocky tones drew the audience in, especially when Chris Newey (vocals) began, surprising the audience with his high voice that melded perfectly with the guitars supporting him. People were drawn to the front and really warmed up, and started dancing along. At many gigs, the first support band is largely ignored, but COLD FIELDS politely demanded the attention of everyone in the room. COLD FIELDS are a band to remember, because you’ll be hearing the name again.
Rating: 9/10
LEOGUN are a three piece from London and were the second rocking supports of the night. It’s fair to say they were the heaviest band of the night but made the perfect contrast to TAX THE HEAT and COLD FIELDS. They were perfectly placed to provide a different sound and keep the audience interested. They are very easy to enjoy live regardless of prior knowledge resulting in their CDs selling thick and fast once they left the stage. Certainly a band to check out and one to watch in the next few years. Great things are coming.
Rating: 9/10
The first headline tour for TAX THE HEAT kicked off in London, swiftly moving to their hometown of Bristol, then to Birmingham but there was no sign of fatigue among the foursome. Their passion and enthusiasm flowed through their instruments and to the audience. They played some favourites, including the newly released single Some Sympathy, which was clearly a crowd favourite, and some new tracks that will be appearing on Fed To The Lions (due for release spring 2016), successfully whetting the audience’s appetites. There’s nothing quite everyone in a room having the same purpose: to enjoy the band, and the intimacy of The Rainbow made it a very special occasion. Front man Alex Veale said by the end it was “feeling like a Friday night, instead of a Tuesday”. There’s something very honest about TAX THE HEAT and their music which has drawn on many different styles of rock from the last fifty years and created something wonderful.
Rating: 9/10
Check out our exclusive photo gallery of the night’s action in Birmingham:
