01.02.2015 Kosheen @ The Institute, Birmingham

February 03, 2015

The last date of any tour is always a special occasion and so was Kosheen’s last tour date in Birmingham BUT it started out as anything but.

Since there was no support act Kosheen’s very own Markee Ledge DJ’d for an hour and his choice in songs was purely dreadful – the set didn’t differ much from whatever was blasted through the PA before that and, judging by the audience, noone was really impressed with it.

When Kosheen finally hit the stage the sound just wasn’t there. The vocals sounded washed out and words weren’t decipherable and Markee’s Guitar FX board didn’t seem to work that well either.

You could see how annoyed the band was about it – but they kept their cool and after the first third of the gig they were getting there soundwise.

Once things were alright Kosheen picked up speed and they were truly amazing. Tour drummer Richard Glover was amazing in every sense of the word and Kosheen frontwoman Sian Evans was charismatic, mesmerizing and her voice to die for.

They played tracks from all albums and newer material off their more recent albums ‘Independence’ and ‘Solitude’ mixed well with their older, chart-topping material from their esteemed earlier albums.

True, after splitting from the big label, they found it harder to be heard but in the 15/16 years of their existence they have showed staying power and, although it was a small venue that wasn’t all that filled, their audience truly embraced their music.

There is something magical about Kosheen’s electronica and Sian’s voice and to experience it life was a real treat.

Kosheen are a top act that is as rare as it is underrated in the scheme of things.

Long may they continue