First Time Flyers, a dynamic UK country band formed by seasoned musicians Tim Prottey-Jones, Vicki Manser, Jake Morrell, and Poppy Fardell, have quickly become a prominent force in the UK country scene. Since their debut at the C2C Festival in 2023, they’ve sold out their first headline tour, opened for Bruce Springsteen at BST Hyde Park, and secured a BBC Radio 2 playlist spot. Their debut album, ‘Bound to Break,' showcases their evolution as artists, blending elements of country, pop, and rock with rich harmonies and timeless songwriting. Tracks like ‘Primadonna’ and ‘Jump’ exemplify their ability to craft infectious, radio-ready hits that resonate with a wide audience. Read our review right here.
From the very beginning, First Time Flyers made sure Birmingham knew this was going to be a night to remember. Their intro tape cleverly played on the “first time flyer” concept, with witty in-flight announcements that set the tone for both comedy and energy. A message from broadcasting legend Bob Harris provided a classy touch before the roar of engines gave way to the band taking the stage. It was a playful and effective start that not only leaned into their name but also built anticipation for the power to come.
The set kicked off with a stunning cover of ‘Seven Bridges Road,' immediately showing off the band’s four-part harmonies. This was no slow build – the harmonies exploded into ‘Primadonna,' a tongue-in-cheek original that had both Poppy and Vicki donning sunglasses and leading choreographed dance moves. The song’s celebrity-themed narrative was matched by their confident stage presence, and the crowd quickly realised they were in for a slick, entertaining show that balanced fun with real vocal firepower.
Momentum never faltered. ‘Stay' saw Jake take the spotlight, proving the band’s strength isn’t only in their harmonies but also in their ability to rotate lead vocals seamlessly. From there, a gear-shift into ‘Do You Remember' showcased a bluesy, Fleetwood Mac-style groove, led by Tim Prottey-Jones’ expressive guitar work. Poppy’s powerhouse delivery in the closing section drew cheers, as she belted out the big notes with ease and emotion. Already, the band were showing they could move beyond upbeat crowd-pleasers into soulful territory.
The middle section of the set cemented their versatility. ‘Gold' lit up the room with its infectious chorus and orchestrated audience interaction, followed immediately by the rowdy rocker ‘Trouble,' which had both Poppy and Vicki in full vocal flight. Then came the beautifully constructed ‘Almost,' a heartfelt ballad that gave space for each singer to shine individually, before seamlessly segueing into a harmony-rich cover of Little Big Town’s ‘Girl Crush.' It was a stretch of songs that showed off light and shade – party anthems, heartfelt storytelling and emotional depth all in one run.
That balance continued with the witty ‘Deadweight,' which was introduced with humour and a tale about it being about an ex boss of Vicki's before erupting into funky rhythms and vocal interplay from all four members. ‘Walk the Line' felt like the set’s centrepiece – a galloping western-flavoured anthem complete with choreographed line dancing that blended fun, grit and huge choruses. From there, they launched into ‘Already Out' and ‘Jump,' both high-octane songs that had the audience clapping, dancing and singing along. At this point, it was clear: First Time Flyers may be Britain’s best party band, but to call them just that would be to miss their depth and class.
As the night progressed, they continued to surprise. ‘Before the Wind Changes' and ‘Looking Back Now' leaned into a Lady A-style blend of country-pop and emotional weight so it was no surprise to see the former ending with a blast of the iconic ‘Need You Now', while their inventive reimagining of ‘Forget You' – starting slow and moody before bursting into a full-tilt rocker – showed both humour and creative flair. ‘Happier,' already making waves on Radio 2, gave the audience a chance to sing so loudly that if left Poppy visibly astounded, removing her in-ear monitors just to soak it in. These are the kinds of moments that elevate a gig from good to unforgettable.
By the time the final songs rolled out – the bluesy stomp of ‘Over the Moon' and the soaring closer ‘Out of Your Mind' – Birmingham had been given a masterclass in live performance. This was a show brimming with energy, slick choreography, dazzling harmonies and, above all else, sheer vocal power. Poppy and Vicki sang with every ounce of themselves, while Jake and Tim rounded out the band’s rich sound with skill and personality. Yes, they can throw the best party in town – but First Time Flyers also deliver depth, emotion and a rare versatility that makes them, quite simply, the UK’s best live band on the Country circuit right now.
Setlist: 1. Seven Bridges Road 2. Primadonna 3. Stay 4. Do You Remember 5. Gold 6. Just Friends 7. Almost 8. Girl Crush 9. First Dance 10. Deadweight 11. Walk the Line 12. Already Out 13. Jump 14. Before the Wind Changes 15. Looking Back Now 16. Forget You 17. Happier 18. Over the Moon 19. Out of Your Mind Venue: Hare and Hounds, Birmingham Date: September 18th
