Gig Review: dearALICE bring the energy to Birmingham

Tuesday 27th October 2026 | O2 Academy Birmingham

dearALICE, with special guests LibertyAva and Full Circle Boys

There was plenty to look forward to at Birmingham’s O2 Academy on Tuesday evening as dearALICE arrived in the city, supported by LibertyAva and Full Circle Boys. Invited along as press for the evening, which also included the opportunity to interview dearALICE ahead of their performance, I was particularly looking forward to seeing the band live for the first time.

Although I was already familiar with dearALICE and their story, nothing quite prepares you for experiencing a band in person. Formed in 2024 following the reality television series Made in Korea: The K-Pop Experience, the group came together after completing an intensive 100-day K-pop training programme. Having followed their journey, it was great to finally see what they could deliver on stage – and they certainly didn’t disappoint.

LibertyAva – A strong start to the evening

First up was LibertyAva, an artist who was clearly already familiar to a good proportion of the sizeable audience. However, for those who hadn’t come across her before, she certainly made a lasting impression.
           

Performing a selection of her own material alongside a few covers, LibertyAva delivered an enjoyable and confident set. Her sound has a familiar contemporary pop feel, with hints of both Sabrina Carpenter and Tate McRae, giving her performance an instantly accessible appeal.

She connected well with the audience and provided exactly what a good support act should: an entertaining performance that warmed up the crowd and left plenty of people wanting to hear more. A very enjoyable opening to the evening.

Full Circle Boys – Energy in abundance

Next came Full Circle Boys, an act I knew very little about before the evening. That, however, was soon to change.

From the moment they took to the stage, their ability to engage with an audience was obvious. Their background as trained dancers was very much in evidence, with impressive movement, choreography and an energy level that barely let up throughout their performance.

The audience response was fantastic, with loud cheers greeting practically every move they made on stage. They clearly know how to work a crowd, and their enthusiasm was infectious.

Musically, there was plenty to enjoy too, with some great songs that certainly deserve a wider audience. Full Circle Boys were a very pleasant discovery and an act I’d definitely recommend checking out.

dearALICE – A Birmingham debut to remember

Finally, it was time for the evening’s headline act, dearALICE.

Unfortunately, the group were performing without Olly, who was sidelined through injury. However, Dexter, Reese and Blaise were determined not to let his absence affect the evening, and they certainly rose to the occasion.

Opening with ‘Animal’, the trio launched straight into a high-energy performance, immediately setting the tone for what was to follow. With a selection of their popular numbers, the set kept the audience thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

One particularly welcome surprise was their cover of The Script’s ‘Breakeven’, which provided a great moment in the set and was clearly appreciated by the crowd.

Audience interaction was another real highlight. The atmosphere inside the O2 Academy was fantastic, with an incredibly vocal crowd who seemed to know every word of every song. The noise and enthusiasm from the audience were testament to the connection the band have already established with their fans.

Despite being one member down, Dexter, Reese and Blaise delivered a thoroughly entertaining performance. Their energy, enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of being on stage made for a memorable headline set.

Having had the opportunity to sit down and interview the lads before the show, it was especially enjoyable to see them take to the stage and deliver such a strong performance. Birmingham was a first for the band, but judging by the reception they received, I’m sure it won’t be their last.

Final thoughts

An excellent evening of live music, with three acts offering something different and each making their own impression.

LibertyAva provided a great opening, Full Circle Boys brought energy and entertainment in abundance, and dearALICE rounded things off with a performance that left the audience wanting more.

For my first opportunity to see dearALICE live, it was certainly worth the wait. A great bunch of lads, a fantastic crowd and a very enjoyable evening at the O2 Academy Birmingham.