Delphic - 02 Birmingham Review

Being no stranger to Birmingham, or the 02 Academy, Charlie and I began re calibrating our whereabouts immediately after leaving the taxi, to be greeted by an orthodox “02 Academy” banner on the horizon. Overwhelmingly, the venue was horded by thousands of “A Day To Remember” fans queuing up, leaving me in disarray. Fans with stretched ear piercing the sizes of fists became a common sight and glares of intimidation aimed at me and Charlie suggested that we were definitely not queuing up in the right line. This was backed up by a ridiculously small queue for the smaller 02 Academy stage in which Delphic were playing.

As we entered the smaller stage, we were welcomed by a fans stall offering discounted Delphic t-shirts, (Charlie took full advantage) and an acceptably large floor and stage. Ultimately, this was enhanced by ambient background music to raise expectations for the first act. Beverages were prepared and consumed quite hastily in anticipation for the somewhat unknown supporting act, Chew Lips. Confidently, the three-piece act consisting of a female singer and two male musicians entered the stage, pleasing the steadily growing audience. In relation to the electronica-based band, Delphic, Chew Lips flaunted their impressive ability and synthesizing kit to produce sounds similar to that of the main act, with songs such as “Seven” and “Too Much Talking. Catchy yet conceptually brilliant sounds combined with a fluorescent array of lighting effects emitted on stage resulted in a successful first act which had the audience completely and utterly satisfied with the supporting act.

Surprisingly, each glance that I took behind me resulted in a steadily bigger audience as time progressed and the wait for Delphic became almost unbearable. Our restless waiting was soon compensated by the smartly dressed Mancunians that got off to an electric start, playing my personal favourite from the album “Acolyte” named “Clarion Call”. During the climax of the opening song, arms were flung into the air with synchronized jumping of the crowd that spread virulently across the dance floor. Arguably Delphics best known song “Doubt” was next to succeed “Clarion Call” which triggered off a parade of near perfect lyric chanting from myself and other flying bodies on the floor, which to my delight, catalysed a much more prevalent mosh pit.

The electronically brilliant master class displayed by Delphic was slowly coming to its absolute pinnacle as they began playing songs such as “Counterpoint” and “Halcyon” which almost instantaneously sent the crowd into euphoria as entranced figures that occupied the floor catapulted themselves about dangerously, carefree of the hazardously wet floor beneath them.

Unfortunately, before we knew it the set had finished, leaving me craving for more, as a result of this, I shall be sure to see Delphic and Chew Lips in the near future! The two acts that performed that night ooze success and hopefully, the supporting act Chew Lips can bask in the triumphant eminence similar to that of the growingly reputable act, Delphic.

Aaron