Elle Coves Birmingham Show Review

Words by Chloe Williams

Are you a dreamer? A visionary who wishes to relate to the lyrics of your favourite songs? A conversational overthinker, who wants nothing but the opportunity to scream about all your feelings in a small venue in the middle of Birmingham? Well, now is the time to talk about 

Irish musician Elle Coves. 

Performing at The Sunflower Lounge in Birmingham, a venue which has previously seen the likes of Sam Fender and Dua Lipa, Coves took the stage with that casual confidence and charismatic charm, forcing the crowd to engage with excitement and liveliness. The room buzzed with energy, in a way where you could see the said energy act as fuel to the musicians on stage, as they visibly absorbed the very environment around them. And let’s just say the Birmingham show decided to keep the volume very loud throughout, with a huge emphasis on the drums.

Leading with the hit single “Talk About It,” we are certain Coves knows how to start a gig right. The song’s lively introduction is mixed with soft and satisfying vocals, urging the audience to sing even if they don’t know the lyrics (though let’s make this clear – this was no worry at all). The following singles, “Body” and “Headspace”, called for the classic heated fangirls of the world, with Coves’ informal tone attracting fans of Audrey Hobert, Gracie Abrams and Matilda Mann. We love some good speedy lyrics, and we love those who scream alongside Coves even more. 

Unreleased songs including “rumours,” “BULLET,” “best years,” and “Better Man Than You” also made the set list, featuring very different vibes of their own. From upbeat guitar instrumentals and what could only be described as a twilight-inspired tune, we are at a loss without them available on streaming platforms, but we are all set and waiting for the release of her debut album. And let’s not forget upbeat favourites “All Of America,” “Please Don’t” and “I Got A Thing For Love” combined with a surprise rendition of “Rein Me In” by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean. Yeah, Birmingham has always been the place for live music, and this only conformed to this standard yet again.

The 2023 single “Before I Fall Apart” brought the show to an end, collecting together all the feelings of nostalgia, freedom, and indecision. Youth, love, and life come with difficulties, and Elle Coves highlights exactly that in this song, as much as she covers the perfect reality we all desire to live in. Say “I try to run but, oh my god, I can’t escape this feeling” and the crowd goes crazy, living within the very last moments the night had to offer.

Elle Coves might have finished her UK tour, but this is only the start for this rising star. With great support gigs booked in the past with Lewis Capaldi and Daydreamers, we are certain more of this is incoming. And be sure to catch Coves at the end of her EU tour if you can, we promise you you won’t forget it.