When the Twang released their debut album “Love It When I Feel Like This”, the boys from Quinton seemingly rocketed from nowhere to the moon….and back in scarily quick time. Now, two years later, the lads with more swagger than the Gallaghers are back and tonight they screamed onto the tiny stage in a very packed Rainbow. Within seconds the air was thick with premium lagers and testosterone as Phil Etheridge asked, “Is this Birmingham? Well let’s have a little party then!”

Opening with Wide Awake, it’s difficult to hear the band as every word is sung back at them with the passion of a football terrace. Lads chant and girls swoon as Phil and Martin lean out across the assembled throng. I have to say, having seen the boys once before, I wasn’t overly impressed but tonight they are on fire. Pumped up by the home town crowd and armed with a fist of news songs it’s clear to see they are glad to be back. Tonight 7 tracks from forthcoming album “Jewellery Quarter” get an airing, including new single Barney Rubble and all are welcomed warmly.

However the biggest cheers are left for older material – particularly tracks like Push the Ghosts with its Salt ‘N’ Peppa singalong section sounding ace. Finishing the set with an encore that included The Neighbour and a rousing Cloudy Room it’s clear the beer soaked crowd enjoyed themselves as they file steaming into the night air for a revitalising fag. The new material sounded good and the old material sounded surprisingly fresh, but will be it the Twangs summer? Only time will tell – but it’s clear to see they are defiantly back, buzzing and ready to ‘ave it!

Words & Photos: Lee Allen