A BIRMINGHAM band are back on the road after a catastrophic fire which engulfed their beloved studio.

In July, a fire broke out in an adjoining unit at the site where the Birmingham progressive rock band IO Earth's studio located.

More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze, but the fire’s ferocity consumed everything in its path.

Sixteen years of relentless hard work and dreams, including a collection of expensive studio equipment, merchandise stock, and a cherished collection of musical instruments, such as guitars, drums, keyboards were all destroyed.

The impact of this tragedy has been profound, but despite still taking in the full impact of the event, IO Earth are back on the road just three months after the fire.

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IO Earth will play in St Helens with the Hayley Griffiths Band on October 12IO Earth will play in St Helens with the Hayley Griffiths Band on October 12 (Image: Steve Pilkington) In a double header bill with The Hayley Griffiths Band, IO Earth will play Southampton 1865, followed by St Helens Citadel and Bilston Robin 2.

In another notable feature of the show, Hayley Griffiths, who has played many packed shows with former band Karnataka at the Citadel, will be taking on the unusual and demanding task of fronting both bands on the night, in the absence of current IO Earth vocalist Linda Odinsen.

This will not be a first for Hayley in terms of stepping into the IO Earth frontwoman shoes, as she carried off the role with highly praised aplomb at the IO Earth ‘Homecoming’ weekend show at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham in 2023.

This is a double bill that should excite many a rock fan simply for the quality on offer, but the significance of the recent fire and the understandable desire to show support to the band for this brave decision to step out onto the stage again so soon will undoubtedly add a significant sense of occasion.

Following the tragedy of the Birmingham fire, IO Earth have recently secured a new space and are hoping to transform it into a fully functional studio, although this will require significant effort and vision.

The Hayley Griffiths Band and IO Earth gig will take place at the Citadel on Saturday, October 12. Tickets can be found here.