Review: MeMe Detroit, Actress & Bishop, Birmingham

Written for a movie soundtrack, the slightly chaotic nature of the evening brought on by an increasingly drunken crowd provided the perfect backdrop to its energetic theme.

We started off with a 20-year- old singer/songwriter – Chloe Mogg. The Kidderminster College student hid a powerful voice in her slender frame that threw gravitas over her music, strummed almost delicately on her acoustic guitar.

Her rainbow hair hinted at a diverse and slightly off-the- cuff nature. And this was epitomised when she threw in a masterful and evocative cover of Status Quo’s majestic first hit, Pictures Of Matchstick Men, from way back in 1968. This is one girl to keep an eye out for.

Up next we had a grittier guitar fest of a group – Redjack – whose sound flitted intermittently between the spheres of Pearl Jam, Pixies and Red Fang.

Loud and brash they hid some delicious riffs and instrumentals within their repertoire – none more so than on the provocative F*** You.

Fronted by identical twin brothers they carried an assuredness and confidence that stayed the right side of cocky. It was a decent cameo.

From the heavy scuzz came the somewhat poppier vibe of Vamoosery. They had a few funky beats such as on the happy, snappy track Pieces, but at times their stinging

bass, screeching guitars and soulful twang of female vocalist Sheridan Skinner jarred and clashed with each other.

And so we were left to await the main event. Former The Ticket Unsigned page star MeMe has a gripping energy that grabs your gaze and holds it. Ripping through the likes of Adelaide, Emily and Stand Up You’re Living early on in the set, she had a nicely filled up room with her.

New single How She Runs was well received by all, its 80s synthpop vibe a new direction for the band and promising a taster of wider influences to come.

The outro to Roses always sounds great live – despite the pitiful(ly drunken) attempts to back MeMe’s vocals by some of her support - and all that was left was to thank the assembled masses for giving up their evening before thrashing through her punk-like tribute to the venue we were calling home for the night.

Good work MeMe, and a nod as always to the Birmingham Promotors crew who always put together a good night. How She Runs may build up some nice momentum for you from here and become something of a mantra.