All photography in this article has been shot by Maggy Lane.

The Canadian girl band, The Beaches, took to Birmingham’s famous O2 Institute on Sunday, 15 February as part of their “No Hard Feelings Tour” following the release of their latest album, which shares the same title. Known for their high-energy performances and great band chemistry, the band really packed a punch for this particular tour. Having made nods to their prior performances at the venue many years ago, the band made sure to reach every single concertgoer through their guided tour.

Dea Matrona, an Irish rock band, opened for The Beaches and really gave the audience an insight as to what attendees could expect for the remainder of the evening. By sharing the story of how the group formed, they offered fans a glimpse into their history, quickly forging a connection with the crowd. Laughter rippled through the venue as the band recalled entering two talent competitions, which, surprisingly, they didn’t win either. Despite those early setbacks, Dea Matrona truly is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to putting on a show and showcasing their vocal ability as well as their craft with their musicianship.

Performing songs such as “Glory, Glory (I Am Free),” “My Own Party,” and “Red Button,” just to name a few, their set really showed how they can captivate an audience. They deserve to be performing in venues as iconic as the O2.

The Beaches opened their set with “Last Girls At The Party,” an energetic opener that immediately set the tone for the night. The setlist spanned the band’s many eras, weaving together tracks from their early releases through to their most recent singles, creating a sense of both nostalgia and momentum. Throughout the evening, the band took fans on a journey, with moments that were really moving as well as exciting. One of the most moving highlights came when Leandra shared her personal journey of discovering her sexuality and identity, delivering a stripped-back performance of “Lesbian of the Year.” It was a truly beautiful moment, made even more powerful as her friends (bandmates) stood beside her, offering comfort and support throughout the song.

Fan favourites were covered throughout the night, such as “Edge of the Earth,” “Blame Brett,” “Everything is Boring,” “Fine, Let’s Get Married,” “Me and Me.”

If the tour is coming to your city or somewhere nearby, this is your sign to buy those tickets! You are in for a great evening with fantastic storytelling, vocals, and musicianship.

To hear more from The Beaches, you can visit their website here: https://www.thebeachesband.com/

To hear more from Dea Matrona, you can visit their website here: https://www.deamatrona.co.uk/