The Mael brothers Ron and Russell, better known as legendary synth disco pop pioneers Sparks, land at the Institute in support of new album ‘Hippopotamus’ in September. The maverick L.A duo have been shredding rules books and confounding expectations from the day they formed in 1968 to express their love of English music, such as the Kinks and Pink Floyd, and hatred of folk. There is a delicious symmetry between the ebullient flamboyance of Russell and the dead eye stare of Ron, his chilling glare has lots none of its sneering disdain. ‘Hippopotamus’ will be their twenty second release in nearly five decades of sonic experimentation and is released on September 8th. Who can forget those incredible Top of the Pops appearances in the seventies for ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us’? Sparks are illustrious musical pioneers whose place in pop history is assured. Up close and personal at the Institute is going to blow our minds. Excited? Just a bit.
Sun 24 Sep 7pm at O2 Institute, 78 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DY £27.75 www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Words: Giles Logan
Published on: Sat 12 Aug 2017