Bablake Former Pupils Everywhere (1) Matt Vines - VP for UK Artist Management (Three Six Zero Group)

In September 2014, former pupil Matt Vines (1994- 2001) was promoted to Vice President for UK artist management at the Three Six Zero Group, after working as a senior artist manager, leading business strategies and overseeing UK record releases. He now works with Slaves and Hurts amongst others.

This month, five of our U6th pupils were given the chance by Matt of seeing Slaves at the O2 Institute in Birmingham and, one of them, Wheatleyan reporter Emily White, has filed the following review of the gig:

"Punk rock duo Slaves began its set with 'White Knuckle Ride', a powerful introduction which showed no hint that drummer Isaac Holman had dislocated his shoulder the previous night dancing to the usual intro song by the Vengaboys, an injury which had put the show in jeopardy until the last moment. Crowd favourites 'The Hunter' and 'Cheer up, London' kept the crowd excited inbetween new songs 'Take Control' and 'In Dog Years, You’re Dead' which were both very well received by an audience, drawn in as ever by the band's attitude and energy live.

Slaves has recently shown its support for the online campaign Girls Against, which seeks to highlight and eliminate a worrying trend of illegal groping at gigs, an occurrence far too common in tight crowds. The band posted on its Facebook page: 'Putting your hands all over any woman without her permission is not on at any sort of concert.'

The final song 'Hey' was accompanied by guitarist Laurie being carried to the back of the venue by an equally energetic crowd. Despite already having seen Slaves on numerous occasions, I always want to come back and see the band again. The band appeared to enjoy this gig too telling the audience Birmingham was always one of its favourite places to play. This gig really did not disappoint with its distinctive loud vibes and catchy guitar riffs rousing a crowd that typically knew every word."

Photograph by Emily White.