Home MusicGig ReviewsGIG REVIEW: Elliot Minor Deliver a Pop-Rock Powerhouse at Their Once in a Decade Reunion Show at the O2 Institute in Birmingham

GIG REVIEW: Elliot Minor Deliver a Pop-Rock Powerhouse at Their Once in a Decade Reunion Show at the O2 Institute in Birmingham

by Jonathan Currinn
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On Thursday 24 April 2025, nostalgia thundered through the O2 Institute in Birmingham as Elliot Minor took to the stage for their long-awaited Once in a Decade reunion tour—and they did not disappoint. More than a decade after their last tour, the British pop-rock five-piece reminded us all why they were once a staple of the late 2000s alternative scene.

Birmingham marked the fourth stop out of five on the tour, following York, Edinburgh, and Manchester, with London closing the run on 25 April. More than a decade since their last tour, the five-piece proved that time had only sharpened their edge, delivering a show that fused passionate performance with a reverence for their musical legacy. But before they unleashed their array of hits, two support acts—Homecoming and Call Me Amour—primed the crowd for what was set to be an unforgettable night.

Official Elliot Minor Once in a Decade Tour poster specifically for the O2 Institute Birmingham which shows a solar eclipse over an ocean with text overlaying it all explaining the bands performing, the date, and the venue.

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The Atmosphere: A Queue Worth Waiting In

The energy was electric long before anyone stepped on stage. Fans queued along two intersections and around the corner in what became one of the longest lines we’ve ever experienced for the O2 Institute. The wait, however, had a silver lining: the standing and balcony queues were merged, so we ended up much closer to the stage than anticipated—something that set the tone for an intimate and exhilarating evening.

Support Acts: Homecoming and Call Me Amour Impress

Homecoming performing on stage at the O2 Institute Birmingham.

Homecoming opened the night with raw rock energy and magnetic stage presence, setting the tone perfectly. They blended intensity with melody, drawing in early arrivals and kicking things off with style.

Homecoming Setlist:

  1. Distance Means Nothing
  2. 36 Hour Death Period
  3. EMPTY NOTORIETY
  4. 1989
  5. DKMS
  6. BJS IN YOUR PJS
  7. MY D20 JUST ROLLS ELEVEN
  8. FN2187
@goodstarvibes

As one of two amazing support acts for @Elliot Minor, the first one @Homecoming UK did a brilliant job at hyping up the crowd and “Bjs in your Pjs” was definitely catchy! #elliotminor #onceinadecade #homecoming #homecominguk #homecomingband #bjsinyourpjs #supportband #supportact #o2institute #o2institutebirmingham

♬ original sound – Good Star Vibes
Call Me Amour performing on stage at the O2 Institute Birmingham.

Following them, Call Me Amour took things up a notch. The band didn’t just perform to the audience—they performed with them. The lead singer, Harry Radford, leapt into the crowd, engaging directly with fans and turning the floor into an extension of the stage. Vocally powerful and brimming with confidence, the band made an impression that clearly lingered.

Call Me Amour Setlist:

  1. Good Day
  2. La La
  3. Chasing Bugs
  4. IMFKD
  5. Bloom
  6. Where’s the Chemistry?
  7. Girl on the Wall

With a headline tour announced for later this year, Call Me Amour are undoubtedly one to watch.

The Return of Elliot Minor: A Nostalgic Deep Dive

As the lights dimmed Elliot Minor emerged to a roaring applause, kicking off a set that blended beloved classics with fresh material. Launching into “Jessica”, they instantly reconnected with the crowd, many of whom had waited a generation to see them live again. For over 20 years, songs like “Still Figuring It Out” and “Parallel Worlds” have echoed through speakers and playlists. Hearing them live—finally—felt surreal, as if we’d been pulled into a time machine straight back to 2008, only with better sound, bigger emotions, and tighter musicianship—yet the band’s performance was anything but dated

@goodstarvibes

Last week was INCREDIBLE! @Elliot Minor absolutely brought the roof down with this last song “Parallel Worlds” at the O2 Institute in Birmingham! #elliotminor #onceinadecade #parallelworlds #o2institute #o2institutebirmingham

♬ original sound – Good Star Vibes

With the full original lineup—Alex Davies, Edward Minton, Dan Hetherton, Edward “Teddy” Hetherton, and Ali Paul—the group showcased not just technical skill but a camaraderie that hadn’t aged a day. Each member brought their A-game, from soaring guitar solos to infectious keyboard riffs. The newer track “How Does It Feel”, which was sped up for their live set, fit seamlessly among fan favourites, bridging their established symphonic pop-rock style with a fresh indie-rock edge.

@goodstarvibes

This has been stuck in our heads since last week! @Elliot Minor’s new single “How Does It Feel” was amesomely performed by the band last week! This was at the O2 Institute in Birmingham! #o2institutebirmingham #o2institute #onceinadecade #elliotminor #HowDoesItFeel

♬ original sound – Good Star Vibes

“Electric High” was a highlight, anthemic and driving, while “Lucky Star” reignited our collective teenage angst. The piano-led “Time After Time” and the intense storytelling of “Discover (Why the Love Hurts)” brought emotional depth to the performance, demonstrating just how musically versatile the band still are.

@goodstarvibes

We’ve watched this clip again and again! “Time After Time” is such an addicting track and @Elliot Minor were incredible performing all their nostalgic hits at the O2 Institute in Birmingham! #o2institutebirmingham #o2institute #onceinadecade #elliotminor #timeaftertime

♬ original sound – Good Star Vibes

Live Energy and Crowd Connection

The Once in a Decade tour isn’t just a clever name—it truly captured the feeling in the room. Fans of all ages shouted every lyric back at the band, uniting in a chorus of nostalgia. During standout performances like “Electric High” and “Still Figuring It Out”, Alex Davies often stepped away from the mic to let the crowd take over, visibly moved by the connection. At one point, Ed Minton echoed the sentiment, appearing equally emotional and grateful to be back on stage.

Elliot Minor performing on stage at the O2 Institute Birmingham.

Musicianship That Hasn’t Missed a Beat

Despite the long hiatus, Elliot Minor didn’t miss a beat. Alex Davies and Ed Minton led the charge, their harmonies as tight and emotive as ever, but every member delivered sharp, emotionally charged performances. Dan Hetherton’s drumming drove the energy forward, Teddy Hetherton’s basslines added weight and momentum, and Ali Paul’s keyboard work gave the band its signature symphonic edge. Newer songs like “All My Life” and the aforementioned “How Does It Feel” stood proudly alongside older classics, showing that the band has matured without losing its essence.

Emotional Highlights and Encore Magic

The emotional high point of the night may well have been “Parallel Worlds”, which closed the show on a euphoric note. The encore, which also included “All My Life” and “Better Than The Courtroom”, brought the night to an unforgettable conclusion. Fans were visibly overwhelmed with joy—some teary-eyed—as the final chords rang out.

This was a heartfelt reunion between Elliot Minor and their loyal fanbase, one that the fans will never forget.

@goodstarvibes

The ending of @Elliot Minor’s Once in a Decade Tour was incredible and they really did “Parallel Worlds” justice! It was worth the 10+ year wait! This was at the O2 Institute in Birmingham! elliotminor onceinadecade o2institute o2institutebirmingham parallelworlds

♬ original sound – Good Star Vibes

Elliot Minor Setlist:

  1. Jessica
  2. Electric High
  3. Running Away
  4. Time After Time
  5. I Believe
  6. Discover (Why the Love Hurts)
  7. Shiver
  8. Lucky Star
  9. How Does It Feel
  10. The White One Is Evil
  11. The Liar Is You
  12. Last Call to New York City
  13. Solaris
  14. Still Figuring Out
    Encore
  15. All My Life
  16. Better Than the Courtroom
  17. Parallel Worlds

Final Thoughts: A Dream Realised

Elliot Minor’s Birmingham show on the ‘Once in a Decade’ reunion tour wasn’t just a performance—it was a celebration of an era, a genre, and a fanbase that never stopped caring. Their ability to seamlessly mix old and new, while maintaining the infectious energy that made them household names in the UK rock scene, proves just how timeless their sound really is.

For many in the crowd, it was a dream come true—a chance to finally tick off a live performance we feared might never come. But Elliot Minor made it count, and then some.

Official Full Elliot Minor Once in a Decade Tour Poster which shows a ball of light blasting upwards through a black and white chequered floor, with the band's name on top and the tour dates with support act names and venues below.

🎧 Listen or Buy Elliot Minor’s Music:

Love what you’ve read in this gig review? Revisit the nostalgia or discover Elliot Minor for the first time:

  • 🎶 Stream Elliot Minor on Apple Music by clicking here.
  • 💿 Buy Elliot Minor CDs and Vinyl on Amazon by clicking here.
  • 📀 Explore rare and second-hand Elliot Minor music on CDandLP by clicking here.

Follow Elliot Minor on social media here:

Follow Call Me Amour on social media here:

Follow Homecoming on social media here:

Share this article and tag us @GoodStarVibes to let us know if you were at Elliot Minor’s ‘Once in a Decade’ Tour in Birmingham or another date, and tell us whether you agree with our review!

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