Big Special’s rise has been rapid. In August 2023, the Walsall duo – Joe Hicklin and Callum Moloney – played their first London headline show at Camden’s Dublin Castle with only one release to their name. Less than two years later, they commanded a packed O2 Forum Kentish Town, celebrating the success of their acclaimed debut POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES. Their new album NATIONAL AVERAGE. charts that journey, and explores the highs of success alongside the persistence of mental and emotional battles. Big Special are built on honesty, grit and sheer persistence. Balancing dark humour with raw truth, they continue to evolve without losing sight of where they came from. Theirs is a story of brotherhood and resilience, and proof that even when you’re living the dream, the struggle doesn’t vanish.
With that in mind, what better way to spend Valentines Day? I went along to Rescue Rooms to see Big Special. Its not my first time seeing them, but it is my first time at their own headline gig, rather than a festival or tiny venue. I knew before I got there how the night would be. Sold out. Packed. Sweaty. Intense. And fun. I wasn’t disappointed.
To say there are only 2 people on the stage, its a big sound. Callum sits behind his orange translucent drums to the right and does not hide away. Joe walks around to the left. Both chatting, singing, joking and wearing the biggest smiles. They fill the stage. But that’s not enough, they get into the crowd, bring a cymbal and mics with them. It wasn’t a quick crowd surf, it was full on being part of the crowd and feeling the love in the room, well it was February 14th.
if you haven’t seen Big Special yet, you really shouldn’t miss out.
click here to see our video
Setlist
Black country gothic
Hug a bastard
God save the pony
Desperate breakfast
This here ain’t water
Mongrel
Black dog / white horse
Sluglife
Dragged up a hill
Shop music
Professionals
Yesboss
Shithouse
Trees
For the birds
Dig!
follow Big Special Website / TikTok / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube / Spotify