Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

If 2012 was a year that for The Hummingbirds was unreal and full of exciting times then 2013 has surely already surpassed that and made the coming year so full of expectation and burgeoning exhilaration. Already tipped as one to watch by the Liverpool Music Awards, the band have recently performed at The Alarm’s famous Gathering in deepest North Wales and now they have kicked off March by opening for the Welsh Punk Rockers at the o2 Academy in their home town.

Jamie Davies, Matthew Brougham, Michael Kountis, Richard Smith, Ryan Lewis and Graeme Heerdon have created so much a buzz, such an endearing following in such a short space of time, it was not beyond the bounds of imagination to understand why the Academy was near jam packed in the second room as they took to the stage. Not only do they sound great but they sound really, really great, a young band that further enhances the reason why Liverpool and Merseyside are once again seen as the driving force of music that is sweeping certain areas of the country’s enjoyment of real musicians and not put together wannabes.

The only disappointment really about their short but powerful set was the fact that it was too short. They kept a partisan and loyal Alarm audience entertained from start to finish and their style is catching and erudite, a shining example of what can about when music is allowed to breathe naturally.

The band performed the songs Out of the Rain, Where Have You Gone, Talking of Tomorrow, the very superb Emma, Back in Liverpool and Bankrupt Blues before finishing a tremendous start to the night with a cover of the Beatles hit Daytripper. Just watching them on stage was enough to confirm that the rumours are true; The Hummingbirds are one class act and full of energy that is just electric.

Judging by the audience’s reaction, they are going to have an even more sensational year than 2012.

Ian D. Hall