With the initial smaller room selling out "instantly" after going on sale, Balu Brigada were treated to the "incredibly beautiful venue" that is the main room at O2 Institute Birmingham. Dreaming about moments like this over their 12-year career, the brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley admitted that, whilst they couldn't necessarily "have it all", they could at least have "a sold out show in Birmingham" on their first ever headline tour in the UK, which isn't bad going.
Starting the night off in style, wearing a lime green adidas tracksuit as zesty as his spirit, DJ Ryeberry, or rather "R to the Y to the E to the mother f*cking berry", got everybody in the venue moving. Self-proclaimed to be a "juicy dose of house music", he mixed tracks like Doechii's 'DENIAL IS A RIVER' and even sampled Balu Brigada's very own 'Backseat', clearly winning over the crowd with his contagious charisma as they chanted his name.
Taking into account that this was a night of the 'Portals' tour, it only seemed fitting that Balu Brigada took to the stage with the title track from their 2025 album, first welcoming Harper Finn on the keyboard and Jacob Stockman on drums. What followed this could only be described as groove-pop at its most infectious as they threw themselves into 'Golden Gate Girl', 'Sideways', and 'Politix'.
A slower introduction to 'The Question' embraced a flood of flashlights, some coloured with thanks to a fan project, as an endeavour to "make this beautiful world a little more beautiful". The deeply pensive '4:25' allowed the duo to reflect on the fact that touring has been "f*cking amazing", but equally as tiring, as the track explores "losing sleep" due to dwelling on a relationship. Similarly tender and emotional, with lyrics such as "If the words would fit the page / Maybe that would ease the pain", 'Isolation' let Pierre's vocals shine, whilst 'How It Would End' allowed Henry to take centre stage. It was pleasing to see them share the spotlight throughout the gig, as it demonstrated the sheer love and respect they have for one another.
Undeniably, the best part of Balu Brigada's set was 'Backseat', as, despite being their longest song at over six minutes, it had fans exploding with energy and bouncing from the barrier to the back of the upper balcony. Treating us to an unreleased song, doing what brothers do best, Pierre teased Henry whilst he tried to explain that 'Bedhead' "is about trading sleep for your dream". It felt like a track that should be blasted through speakers in summer, and would no doubt do well with crowds at festivals. Ticking off every song from their recent album 'Portal' by playing 'So Cold', their set was comprehensive, allowing an insight into the expansiveness of their talent.
An obligatory encore saw the brothers perform a cover of The White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army', which felt like a quiet nod to Twenty One Pilots' cover, for whom they supported on tour last year. Thanking the crowd for "facilitating this silly silly silly environment" all night long, they finished off playing older tracks 'Find A Way' and 'Could You Not', which had Henry at the barrier singing along with fans, showcasing the community that the New Zealand duo have built, and will continue to build upon as they grow internationally.
Finn Delisle
Images: Finn Delisle