Kids In Glass Houses Bring the ‘Dirt’ Anniversary Tour to Birmingham
Kids In Glass Houses have hit the road for a short run of UK dates marking 15 years since the release of their second album ‘Dirt’. The tour stops in Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, London and Cardiff, bringing the band back to some of the cities that played a key role in their rise, just in time for the festive season.
Following the huge reaction to the ‘Smart Casual’ anniversary tour and the long-awaited release of their fifth album ‘Pink Flamingo’, the band are clearly enjoying being back on stage. ‘Dirt’ remains a defining record in their catalogue, packed with songs that still resonate live and capture a pivotal moment in their journey.
We caught the tour as it rolled through Birmingham, with Scottish Dead Pony opening the night and immediately raising the energy in the room. Dead Pony have had a strong couple of years, building momentum with the release of their debut album ‘IGNORE THIS’ last year, a standout appearance at Download Festival earlier this year and time spent working on new material. They opened their set with ‘IGNORE THIS’, setting the tone for a punchy, confident performance that leaned heavily on the album. Tracks like ‘MK Nothing’ and ‘RAINBOWS’ sounded better than ever, while fan favourites such as ‘Everything Burns’ drew a strong response from the crowd. The set closed with ‘MANA’, leaving the room fully warmed up for the main event.
Kids In Glass Houses took to the stage with ‘Artbreaker I’, launching straight into ‘Dirt’ from start to finish. The crowd sang every word back with enthusiasm, proving the album’s lasting impact and emotional pull. From the punchy highs to the more reflective moments, the band delivered the record with both precision and genuine warmth.
The encore shifted focus to later material and long-standing fan favourites, opening with ‘Theme from Pink Flamingo’ before rolling seamlessly into ‘Peace’ and ‘Give Me What I Want’. The energy in the room stayed high, but the mood softened for an emotional moment when the band dedicated ‘Saturday’ to friends who have passed away, giving the crowd a chance to reflect before one final burst of joy. The night closed with ‘Secret Santa’, a perfectly chosen finale that brought festive warmth.
Overall, it was a show that struck a near-perfect balance between nostalgia and celebration. By honouring ‘Dirt’ while also embracing the band’s wider catalogue, Kids In Glass Houses reminded the Birmingham crowd why they remain such a special live act. Fifteen years on, the songs still connect just as strongly and the sense of community in the room made it clear that this anniversary tour is about more than looking back.
