Live Review - This Wild Life

This Wild Life @ Asylum 2, Birmingham 15/11/16

I wish I could say that I went to see This Wild Life in Birmingham, but in reality I went to hear This Wild Life in Birmingham. Birmingham’s Ayslum is a spacious venue with great views from all stand points, unfortunately in the smaller capacity Asylum 2, not so much. A flat narrow room with a 10cm raised stage does not a venue make, but then again music is supposed to be about the music, right?

Acoustic duo This Wild Life created something special with their debut album ‘Clouded’ which they then expanded with follow up ‘Low Tides’. This is the first time they’ve toured with the new material, following a support slot with Sleeping with Sirens earlier in the year (maybe even last year). The advancement of their sound means they no longer tour exclusively as a two piece, with an additional musician joining them at the back of the stage but this is still very much about Kevin and Anthony and the melodies they create.

As a stripped back acoustic duo, This Wild Life are at the top of the pile. There is no need for a fancy light show, or stage diving, the show should be all about heart, soul and emotion. I’ll admit I probably missed some of this, staring at the back of some dudes head. The Wild Life have an audience that need to be able to engage with the band, and without being able to see the majority of faces in the audience this is near impossible to do for any band. 

Musically it was perfect, and although there was some disconnect due to the venue, audience participation was high and fans were in good voice. This Wild Life do have an infectious sound, a sound that you sing-a-long to, a non offensive Pop-Punk inspired Acoustic package that you could take home to your Grandma, without thinking you’d sold out.

We spoke to Kevin for part of our ‘Conversation With’ series, which will be up here on HUSH in the coming days, so please keep an eye out for that.