Princess Goes / O2 Institute 2 / Birmingham

A trip across, from East to West Midlands and into Birmingham to the brilliant O2 Institute for the visit of Princess Goes.

First up, something new as Beija Flo stepped out onto the stage. A solo artist armed only with a laptop (like the brilliant Billy Nomates). I had no idea what to expect, and I have to say, it’s one of the most entertaining acts I’ve seen for some time. As much a musical act, her interacts with the crowd were comedy of the first order. Introducing herself we’re told she was from “Harlow in Essex. It’s not twinned with anywhere… but we have a suicide pack with Slough”.

One of the songs is about leaving a partner and we’re told of a former boyfriend who leaves stuff at her place, returning three years later from Europe asking, ‘have you still got that drumkit’….”Anyway this song is called “Secondhand cockring”… It had the crowd roaring with laughter !

But this wasn’t just fun comedy, the music itself was brilliant, a slice of melancholic lyric pop. There’s something about the music that is both sad, and yet makes you smile as the songs tackle various aspects of life. The balance between musical material and comic character is spot on, and a daring persona image kind of links it all together.

A brilliant moment at the end of the set when she picked someone in the front row and gave them some flowers, and then asked them to throw them back at her ! Brilliant.

A short break and a chance for a cool drink, and the lights dimmed for the arrival of Princess Goes.

Princess Goes is the band led by the vocals of well known actor Michael C. Hall. Perhaps best known for his role as Dexter, and for roles in Six Feet Under and Lazarus. He is joined by Matt Katz-Bohen on keyboards who played with Blonde and Cyndi Lauper, and drummer Peter Yanowitz (the Wallflowers & Morningwood). Their latest album “Come of Age” is out on 6 October via SO In De Goot Recordings.

Firstly Michael C Hall heads out onto the stage on his own, before being followed out by Pete and Matt as the music springs into life and they start the set with Bombed Out Sites taken form their 2021 debut album “Thanks for Coming”.

It’s quite hard to pigeon-hole Princess Goes, their music is a mix of electronica and dance, which draws influence from the 1980’s disco sound, but also elements of things like Gray Numan. Michael’s vocals are great, fairly deep and bowie-esque at times, and at other times, I thought he sounded like Aaron Starkie. In fact some of the tracks had a very Slow Readers Club feel to their tone and style. A good thing ! Not a lively stage presence, jumping and diving all over the place, but Michael is a more understated but commanding figure on stage.

The set is made of tracks form 2021’s “Thanks for Coming” and from the new album “Come of Age”. Highlights of the set included the tracks Blur a fabulous synth track with a new wave feel to it and deep pounding bassline, the latest single Jetpack with it’s haunting synth intro and futuristic sentiment, Come of Age the new album’s title track, and set closer Come Talk to Me from their 2020 EP “Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum”. My favourite has to be Blur though with it’s haunting intro which gives way to a dance beat complimenting Michael’s vocals perfectly, which demonstrate a fantastic range in this track.

A thoroughly enjoyable night. The choice of support is inspired for me, loved it, and Princess Goes ?

There is a lot of musical talent on the stage tonight and it shows. No fancy lighting or stage props, just pure talent and quality music, delivered with heart…. And passion.

Well worth checking out.

Set List

Bombed Out Sites (Thanks for Coming 2021)

Let It Go (Come of Age 2023)

Blur (Come of Age 2023)

The Deeper Down (Thanks for Coming 2021)

East an Eraser (Thanks for Coming 2021)

Jetpack (Come of Age 2023)

Vicious (Princess Goes to the Butterfly Museum EP 2020)

Airhead (Thanks for Coming 2021)

Angela Peacock (Thanks for Coming 2021)

Beija (Come of Age 2023)