Music Critic Zoe Marchant shares her experience of Circa Wave’s live show in Birmingham
Circa Waves released their album, Death & Love, Pt.1, at the end of January this year, a record reminiscent of 2010s indie pop and sunny festivals. It is a light and upbeat album, nostalgic for their 2015 hit song ‘T-Shirt Weather,’ which they are still known for today. After 12 years together, traversing the routes of alternative rock and pop, their sound has clarified to create an unmistakably Circa Waves album.
Birmingham was the first stop of their U.K. tour – not sold out, but reasonably full and with ample space to dance. They opened with ‘Do You Wanna Talk,’ a vibrant single from their fifth studio album Never Going Under (2023). The band’s comfort on stage was obvious. They were laidback, but full of energy. Everyone clapped along to the quick drum beat, and by the last chorus, most people had picked up the catchy hook. After an enthusiastic applause, the band smoothly transitioned into ‘Like You Did Before,’ a song from their current album, then ‘Hell on Earth’ from Never Going Under (2023), both fast-paced songs with sharp hooks that maintained the spark in the room.
“…a well curated show, a balanced mix of fan favourites, deep cuts, and new releases.
At this point, frontman Kieran Shudall addressed the crowd and asked them to sing along to the next track. A cheer sounded at the introduction of ‘Movies’ from What’s It Like Over There? (2019). As their second most-streamed song of all time, it was a popular choice – most people sang along loudly. Another standout moment was ‘Move to San Francisco,’ from Sad Happy (2020), a cheerful yet sarcastic fan favourite. There were no interludes or slower tracks, it seemed like the band’s aim was to provide a party, and that they did.
They dedicated ‘Fossils’ from Young Chasers (2015) to the old school fans, which was met with excited cheers, and transitioned into ‘Stuck in My Teeth’ from the same era. ‘Sorry I’m Yours’ from What’s It Like Over There? was an electric moment – a song that verges into rock. This atmosphere continued with ‘Goodbye’ from Different Creatures (2017), which Shudall described as ‘a heavier one’ – angsty, moody, and with a distinctive bassline.
“There were no interludes or slower tracks, it seemed like the band’s aim was to provide a party, and that they did.
Their encore ‘Carry You Home’ from Never Going Home revitalised the crowd, beginning with a synth suggestive of The Wombats. Shudall encouraged the emerging mosh pit, and asked everyone to dance. The final song of the night was, of course, ‘T-Shirt Weather’ – it would’ve been difficult to find someone not singing along. Shudall orchestrated the crowd to shout the refrain ‘It’s gonna be okay’ at the end of the song, drawing it out until we were all breathless.
It was a satisfying end to a well curated show, a balanced mix of fan favourites, deep cuts, and new releases. It was clear they have a dedicated fan base, the enthusiasm was contagious, and it is a band I would definitely see again.
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