Upcoming Concerts/Gigs


Alicia Keys
The NIA 28 Feb 2008

Editors
The NIA 29 Feb 2008

Westlife
The NEC Arena 12 - 13 Mar 2008

Clubland Live
The NIA 13 Mar 2008

X-Factor Live
The NEC Arena 18 - 19 Mar 2008

Daniel O'Donnell Spring Tour 2008
The NIA 8 Apr 2008

The Beach Boys
The NIA 11 Apr 2008

The Australian Pink Floyd Show
The NIA 30 Apr 2008

Matchbox Twenty
The NIA 2 May 2008

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
The NIA 5 May 2008

Viva La Diva
The NIA 7 May 2008

Backstreet Boys
The NIA 8 May 2008

Celine Dion
The NIA 10 May 2008

Mark Knopfler
The NEC Arena 16 May 2008

Here and Now
The NEC Arena 17 May 2008

Westlife
The NEC Arena 22 May 2008

Girls Aloud
The NIA 23 May 2008

Shayne Ward
The NEC Arena 24 May 2008

The Osmonds 50th Anniversary Tour
The NIA 26 May 2008

Avril Lavigne
The NEC Arena 30 May 2008

-------------------------------------------------------

Sun 24 Feb: Carling Academy Birmingham
Newton Faulkner

Fri 29 Feb: Carling Academy Birmingham
The Hoosiers

Mon 03 Mar: Carling Academy Birmingham
Sum 41

Fri 07 Mar: Carling Academy Birmingham
The Feeling

Fri 07 Mar: Carling Academy Birmingham
Ramshackle ft The Fratellies

Sun 09 Mar: Carling Academy Birmingham
Panic At The Disco

Wed 12 Mar: Carling Academy 2 Birmingham
FOALS

Thu 13 Mar: Carling Academy 2 Birmingham
One Night Only

Fri 14 Mar: Carling Academy 2 Birmingham
Sophie Ellis Bextor

Sun 16 Mar: Bar Academy Birmingham
New War Poets

Sun 23 Mar: Carling Academy Birmingham
Velvet Revolver

Sun 30 Mar: Carling Academy Birmingham
Scouting For Girls

Fri 11 Apr: Carling Academy Birmingham
Supergrass

Thu 17 Apr: Carling Academy Birmingham
Lethal Bizzle

Fri 18 Apr: Carling Academy Birmingham
We are Scientists

Sat 19 Apr: Carling Academy Birmingham
Presidents of the USA

Sun 27 Apr: Carling Academy Birmingham
The Kooks

Sat 10 May: Carling Academy Birmingham
The Wombats

Sun 01 Jun: Carling Academy Birmingham
The Pigeon Detectives

Fab idea :)

So, anyone actually good performing in Birmingham soon? ;)

So, anyone actually good performing in Birmingham soon? ;)

Exactly my thoughts too! :lol:

I'll take that back, I just noticed Lethal Bizzle was on the list! :lol:

Sun 01 Jun: Carling Academy Birmingham
The Pigeon Detectives
__________________

I saw the pigeon detectives at Earls court, they were supporting the Kaiser Chiefs. Kaisers were awesome naturally but i was really impressed with the Pigeon detectives.. it's hard to make an impact when the main act is so big/good and yet they were really good.

Maybe we should add Wolverhampton Civic Hall to the list as loads of great artists play there and not Brum, it's my favourite local live venue. I'm going to see Bjork at the end of April at the civic.

The Breeders are at the Academy in April, I'll be seeing that!:cheers:

I saw Jimmy eat world at the academy last night. Amazing as per usual :D

Sorry Erebus, Chog. I dont think Scooch or Vengaboys are performing in Birmingham this year ;)

Mikey, I wanted to see J.E.W but I could'nt get anyone to come with me. Are they well worth seeing?

Definately!

Ive seen them 4* times now

*saw them twice at Reading - they played mainstage mid afternoon, and then head-lined the lock up on the night.

Of interest - http://www.brumlive.com/

If you use this you can advanced search by city http://www.bigmouth.co.uk/ Has most Brum venues as far as I can see.
Gogol Bordello are stupidly great live and they are playing soon. Early days for all tours to be announced, but we'll struggle to beat last yr, best year for live music in Brum in years and years. Was great!

From the Mail


New company aims to promote good live music in Birmingham
Mar 18 2008 Submitted by Richard Kikonyogo

GOOD live music can be rather hard to find at the best of times. Often, it is a case of accidentally stumbling upon it, than of knowing where it is and when to go. That is, unless you are prepared to pay a lot of money.

As luck would have it though, two MySpace hippies, Hillary Plummer, a full time carer, and Mike Wheeler, a Post Doctorate geneticist at the University of Warwick, are doing their bit to make the location and availability of good live music a greater certainty in Birmingham.

Together, they have formed a not for profit promotions company, Freakin Legend, that aims to give local bands a chance to be heard and to network with other locals acts of a similar ilk.

Every second Friday, at The Island Bar in Birmingham city centre, Freakin Legend Promotions, is showcasing three local bands and one out of town band.

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/2008/03/18/new-company-aims-to-promote-good-live-music-in-birmingham-97319-20641462/

Good news! Not exactly rocket science is it though!

If anyones interested there is also a Worcester Music Festival this year in mid august where over 50+ live bands will be performing day and night over 3 days in the cities nightspots and streets.

Should be good, Not a bad night out and coincides with the 3 choir festival.

Oh god, nobody who sings my type of music is there. Mine is like R&B stuff like that, mind you I think T2 are doing a concert in Coventry I think, so I will have to go down there!

Blah T2 is boring now. He says he's gunna release an album too soon, I sincerely hope not!

this has been going a while, they have write ups on BBC sometimes

www.myspace.com/brumbeat

Blah T2 is boring now. He says he's gunna release an album too soon, I sincerely hope not!

How dare u, there new song is just as good as the last, even better I think!!!

I got a tacxi home last night with 2 members of Poppy and the Jezebels

according to my mate theyre quite well known. Anyone verify this?

Anyone the new album by the Guillemots, not bad at all....

Sex Pistols Announce Intimate Birmingham Show
To warm up for Isle of Wight...
Print Page
by Jason Gregory on 26/03/2008
The Sex Pistols will play an intimate show in Birmingham in June to warm up for their headlining slot at the Isle of Wight Festival, it’s been announced.

The show will take place at the Birmingham Academy on June 11th and will be the first time they have played in the city for 32 years.

The Sex Pistols will headline the Isle of Wight Festival this June alongside the Kaiser Chiefs and The Police. Tickets have sold out for the event.

Story continues below...


Tickets for the band’s show in Birmingham go on sale on Friday (March 28th) at 9am and will be available through Gigwise.

To find out more information, call our ticket hotline on 0871 230 1098 or go to our Gig Guide,

The Vaults in Jewellery Quarter looks very good from its website

http://www.vaultsbirmingham.com/App_Images/Vaults_Homepage.jpg

http://www.vaultsbirmingham.com/home.aspx

More images: http://www.vaultsbirmingham.com/images_of_the_vaults.aspx

Just adding a song to the playlist at the radio station where I work:

Artist - Kelley Stoltz

Title - The Birmingham Eccentric

:)

The Sunflower Lounge's sister venue, The Place I Love in Digbeth opens next Friday, it will host various live events and a weekly Club NME on Thursdays if anyone's interested.

Review: Andy Hamilton's 90th birthday concert

Mar 27 2008 By Peter Bacon at Birmingham Town Hall

The ingredients of a great birthday party were there in abundance.

There were speeches throughout the evening, starting more formally with a welcome from the Lord Mayor, continuing with a summary of Andy’s life from Lord Morris, and culminating in an emotional, bear-hugging one from Carl Chinn.

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/jazz/2008/03/27/review-andy-hamilton-s-90th-birthday-concert-65233-20681803/

Bit of Napalm Death anyone?

rUJDdh8dr6Q

The Vaults in Jewellery Quarter looks very good from its website

http://www.vaultsbirmingham.com/App_Images/Vaults_Homepage.jpg

http://www.vaultsbirmingham.com/home.aspx

More images: http://www.vaultsbirmingham.com/images_of_the_vaults.aspx

It looks very nice inside but there's been loads of complaints. Drinks running out, not doing cocktails, a funny smell, aloof staff and the food is average (not average price though).

They need to sharpen up, especially as Bluu is open around the corner.

Anyone seen this?

http://www.globalgathering.co.uk/lineup/

KANYE WEST is headlining Global Gathering!

^^I know! It's fantastic. I really wanted to go but I happen to be in Costa Rica when it's taking place! Two once-in-a-lifetime opportunities!

Might be worth watching Made in England on BBC One at 10.30pm (I think that's the time) on Wednesday. It's featuring Birmingham born and bred Moorish Delta 7.

Anyone seen this?

http://www.globalgathering.co.uk/lineup/

KANYE WEST is headlining Global Gathering!

Ahhh siiiiik! The tickets are already sold out for that though aren't they? His new album is pretty good. :)

i hear jay-z has some concerts over here this summer, unsure if he has a date in brum tho

Ahhh siiiiik! The tickets are already sold out for that though aren't they? His new album is pretty good. :)

The earlybird tickets are sold out but for about £10 extra, you can still get them. You can get VIP tickets for about £165 (plus booking fees). Definitely going next year! :)

Did anyone watch Made in England on BBC1 last night after the lottery? It showed Seth Lakeman, a folk musician from Devon, travel to Birmingham to collaborate with Moorish Delta 7 to create a couple of tracks in about a week.

It was fantastic, I thought. They showed all the gritty parts of Birmingham (plenty of Snowhill shots though!) and it was interesting seeing them show him around the innercity areas of Birmingham. I never knew Cipher was so tall! He is humongous, and Malik is seriously cool and deep! He stayed quite quiet in the programme but he has some great lyrical talent. Jawar seemed like a pretty decent guy too!

At the end, they performed a couple of tracks (only one broadcast) called Find Your Way and Climate Change at Concrete in the Jewellery Quarter with special appearances from the Midlands Mafia.

Well worth watching on BBC iPlayer!
Some links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/madeinengland/sethlakeman/index.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/page/item/b00b316r.shtml

Yeah I watched it, I thought it was great. It was nice to see them saying how the area they lived inspired them.

He's at Mosley folk festival. Ive got a few of his cds but never really got into him.

http://www.moseleyfolk.com/lineup

Show of Hands are playing an hour set tomorrow at the St Georges day celebrations in Victoria square.

If you like accoustic/folk then theyre definatley for you, and great live apparently :)

I love that Napalm Death video

Sven Vath is at the Q next weekend

Birmingham Internation Dance Festival is about to commence.

That's kinda musical.

Did anyone watch Made in England on BBC1 last night after the lottery? It showed Seth Lakeman, a folk musician from Devon, travel to Birmingham to collaborate with Moorish Delta 7 to create a couple of tracks in about a week.

Seth Lakeman is excellent. Megson are pretty good as well (And one of the Lakemans plays on their latest CD).

I thought he was pretty good too - new album out in June apparently.

Wouldn't mind getting my hands on a copy of the song they did with MD7.

Seth Lakeman's not a Brummie so he can feck off with his crappy folk music. Morrish Delta 7 are the most underated music act from this city. There work is inspirational to many up and coming rnb acts within the UK.

All are welcome in Brummieland!

Flogging Molly are on at the Academy soon.

Seth Lakeman's not a Brummie so he can feck off with his crappy folk music. Morrish Delta 7 are the most underated music act from this city. There work is inspirational to many up and coming rnb acts within the UK.

I'd rather crappy folk music than fucking atrocious RnB.:)

I'd rather crappy folk music than fucking atrocious RnB.:)

You're atrocious blood.

All are welcome in Brummieland!

Flogging Molly are on at the Academy soon.


Really? I've currently got a law suit against them, so I dont think it'll be wise to go.

I've seen loads of flyers for Sundessential at the Q-Club around today :banana:, just did a search, and here is a link to events happening at Q club:

http://www.queclub.co.uk/events.htm (http://www.queclub.co.uk/events.htm)

I found a(n Unofficial!) Novak Video on U tube!

3w33FVhjsOQ

Song great, video grate.

oh, and the mighty Pram

4pJoiRGGxcoET78JRZoEao

Album review of Brum group Beat Union.
Disconnected
Beat Union

Reviewed by: John-Michael Bond [Wed, May 07, 2008 @ 1:14:44 AM]

John Feldmann is better known for his work in production than he is with his work in his own band Goldfinger, and with good reason. Feldmann has an ability to take even the most riveting of live bands and turn them into sterile, lifeless husks of Pro-Tools molding. It’s important to point this magical power out when talking about Disconnected by Birmingham, England ska/power-pop unit Beat Union. Even though it is over produced in the man’s usual style, it doesn’t matter. Disconnected is the album Feldmann couldn’t ruin; that in and of itself is an achievement.

It’s easy to think back to the glory days of 80’s ska and power-pop and long for a return to those simpler times and tunes. Nostalgia is funny that way, and often blinds us to the classics in the making right in front of our eyes. After you peel away the often oppressive layers of studio gloss that coat Disconnected what’s left is a heaping serving of Elvis Costello and The Clash worship that often sounds like the Only Band that Matters covering My Aim is True. The trend is everywhere from the dance stomp of “Pressure Drop” to “Don’t Have Love”s Strummer with a dance punk beat groove.

Everything about this band screams “AVOID!”; The perfect suits and tattoos, production from the Dr. Kevorkian of music production, the fact that they share a label with a number of awe inspiringly bad scremo bands. And yet the proof is in the music. Disconnected is a extremely promising debut, hopefully Beat Union keeps on traveling “Straight to Hell” and the “Radio,” because with a little luck (and a lot less production) these guys probably have a classic under their belts.

7.5 out of 10
RIYL: The Clash, Elvis Costello or The Jam

http://www.mammothpress.com/index.php?area=readreview&pid=1425

Thought I would put this in here:

Moseley's Jug of Ale to be demolished
May 9 2008 By Edward Chadwick


A LANDMARK Birmingham pub which set some of the biggest names in British music on the road to fame is set to be demolished.

The Jug of Ale in Moseley - where Britpop giants including Oasis, Blur and The Verve made fledging performances - will be torn down to make way for an upmarket curry house.

Bands will play for the last time when a poignant farewell is held at the Alcester Road venue from 6pm on Sunday night before brewer Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises completes the sale.

The deal will bring to an end 16 years of gigs which more recently have included performances by Birmingham-based Editors and Kasabian.

Scottish and Newcastle spokesman Louise Barnett: “As part of a continuous review of our estates, the decision has been taken to sell the Jug of Ale in Moseley because it does not fit with the company’s long term business strategy.

“We’re anticipating that the sale will be completed within the next week, but it is not our policy to comment in detail on individual business transactions.”

Coun Martin Mullaney (Lib Dem, Moseley and Kings Heath) said: “I would have hoped someone would have fought to keep the Jug of Ale as a music venue, so I think it’s a real shame that it’s closing.

“It’ll be a big loss to the city’s live music scene. I’ve had lots of letters from people saying ‘please don’t let them pull it down’, but it seems the deal is done and the die is cast.”

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2008/05/09/moseley-s-jug-of-ale-to-be-demolished-97319-20885229/

UK clubbing legends in Birmingham for Bank Holiday special
May 21 2008

Bacardi B-Live and Eclectricity are bringing a hotbed of dance music to Birmingham for a mini-festival that promises to have Digbeth rocking to a whirlwind of beats and sounds.

The Custard Factory, one of the Midland’s legendary clubs will take over Gibb Street on Bank Holiday Monday for nine hourse of mayhem, including Annie Mac, The Plump DJs, The Count and Sinden (live), The Whip (live) and Pete Jordan.


Genre defining drum n bass legends, Roni Size (Reprazent) hit the headlines in 1997 with his Mercury Music Award-winning album, New Forms.

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/rock-pop-music-birmingham/2008/05/21/uk-clubbing-legends-in-birmingham-for-bank-holiday-special-65233-20943083/

Stevie Wonder's coming to town! :pepper:

Stevie Wonder will return to Europe this fall, his first tour there in more than a decade.

Slated to kick off September 8th in Birmingham, England, the R&B legend will play twelve dates including stops in Sweden, Norway, and The Netherlands according to Billboard.

http://www.singersroom.com/news/entertainment-story-1764.asp

Anyone been sampling the delights of the International Jazz Festival going on? I have! I've been pleasantly surprised! :)

Apparently the "next big thing", Birmingham's Bryn Christopher was just on This Morning performing his new single "The Quest" and he was interviewed too and spoke with the most Brummie of Brummie accents! The song is a bit bland IMO and is very Amy Winehouseish (who he has toured with, along with Mary J Blige) but it's being played everywhere (including the US) and he certainly looks more respectable than Ms. Winehouse. :|

rfk_4oCvqZA

Here's the latest Brummie making waves in the music industry. I love this track - it's not usually my kind of thing either!

Bryn Christopher - Smilin'
wMuJDGvNRo8

^^

His first single (as posted by me above) only peaked at something like #45 in the charts despite being highly promoted with lots of radio airplay and TV appearances. :shifty:

This single seems to be doing a lot better in terms of popularity. I have to say, your mention of 'The Quest' was the only one I saw at all! I heard Smilin' a couple of weeks ago on the radio and I liked it immediately! Hard to think he's a Brummie with that voice!

good grief, that sounds and looks like it was made in 1993. not good.

^^

Not my usual type of thing but it's okay and he's definitely got a good voice.

On a bit of a backfoot: I've just recently got into listening to early stuff from the Moody Blues. If you're a music fan and have eclectic tastes give their album "Days of future passed" a listen. I was whoaa when I first heard it! Their other early concept albums - In Search of the Lost Chord and On the Threshold of a Dream - are worth a listen too.

^^

Not my usual type of thing but it's okay and he's definitely got a good voice.

On a bit of a backfoot: I've just recently got into listening to early stuff from the Moody Blues. If you're a music fan and have eclectic tastes give their album "Days of future passed" a listen. I was whoaa when I first heard it! Their other early concept albums - In Search of the Lost Chord and On the Threshold of a Dream - are worth a too.

The first half dozen or so MB albums have been remastered and re-issued as well. Their "first" (Not really their first, but the first Justin Hayward era album, if you see what I mean) album - Days of Future Passed - is a Prog Rock classic, one of the groundbreaking albums of that genre.

Their earlier stuff is all good, but the later stuff is dire, and their last album - xmas songs - is just pitiful.

If you like MB you may also like Barclay James Harvest - they toured with an orchestra in the early 70s and their first 4 CDs are mellotron drenched and they were once called a "Poor Man's Moody Blues" and in anger recorded a song with this title as a joke. After 1974 they diversified into rock/pop and East Coast US sounding stuff - and then when they hit the big time in the 1980s in mainland Europe (They are very popular in Germany) became somewhat synthy - they split up in 1998, but one member continues to tour as Barclay James Harvest featuring Les Holroyd and recently recorded a stunning album (Classic Meets Rock) with a symphony orchestra.

^^

I saw the re-issues mentioned on wikipedia but thought I'd give the original albums an airing first. Cheers for the extra info Rotters - I'll look up, and most likely give a listen to, Barclay James Harvest and everything associated with them.

Music website aims to promote West Midlands scene
Sep 7 2008

A Birmingham City University MA student has launched a website aiming to generate pride in the West Midlands' vibrant music scene.

The online music magazine Cul-de-Sac is the brainchild of MA Media Enterprise student Simon Harper, who set up the site to promote music from the region.

Simon, a freelance journalist, noticed a gap in the market for this type of website while studying for his MA.

He said: “If you look at national music magazines, it’s pretty clear that there is very little coverage about what’s going on within the West Midlands, or even of bands from the region.

“I’d like to cover and support the myriad of bands persistently overlooked by the national music press, which is why I created the site.”

Cul-de-sac : http://www.culdesaconline.com/


http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/rock-pop-music-birmingham/2008/09/07/music-website-aims-to-promote-west-midlands-scene-65233-21698055/

http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/birmingham-culture/rock-pop-music-birmingham/2008/09/09/project-x-hits-the-right-spot-65233-21709368/

Project X hits the right spot
Sep 9 2008 By Simon Harper

Simon Harper meets Birmingham’s musical catalyst, Rich Batsford.

In the past decade and more, Birmingham has undergone something of a cultural renaissance. Creative activity in the city is now much more widespread and there’s a host of artists, events and venues in the city which are getting national recognition too.

“There’s loads more happening now than in recent times,” enthuses Rich Batsford.

“I’ve gradually become much more a part of it, and I’d say that it’s really taken off. We all too often measure ourselves against other cities. The reality is that Birmingham is a very diverse city and may not have had a scene like Madchester or stuff that’s happened in London, at least not since the 70s and metal, but it’s got some amazing music and other stuff.”

Whether playing music, booking gigs, promoting shows or doing voluntary work at several cultural events in Birmingham, Rich finds himself involved in all sorts of activity within the city, perhaps most notably with his involvement as one of the key figures behind Project X Presents.

This weekend sees the fourth Project X event – described as an ‘omnimedia experience’, it is built around the theme of a ‘digital dystopia’, bringing together a multitude of art forms for a sensory overload....

'Home Of Metal' Celebrating Midlands' Heavy Metal Heritage - Sep. 9, 2008

BirminghamPost.net reports: For too long Birmingham and the West Midlands have failed to celebrate what is rightfully theirs, to claim the city and the region as home of "heavy metal."

"Home of Metal" is a brand new project aimed at creating the first digital archive of metal music, memorabilia and fans stories, to tell the story of this unique moment of Midlands' musical heritage.

Launching at Wolverhampton Art Gallery on Saturday October 25, 10am - 4.30pm, the project coincides with the 40th anniversary of when the term "heavy metal" was coined by music journalist Lester Bangs when describing BLACK SABBATH.

"Home of Metal" warms up with an opportunity for fans of JUDAS PRIEST, NAPALM DEATH, BLACK SABBATH and LED ZEPPELIN to be photographed wearing their prized band t-shirts.

The event, which will take place at The Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton on Friday September 19, 9pm – 11pm will be a great chance for metal fans from far and wide to get together and share this exciting occasion.

Read more from BirminghamPost.net.


http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104380

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=104380

:rock:

VzmXQY0l5Xs

AVqGwq0OKQ&NR
"Long Drum solos are BORING!"

It was the opening night of Gatecrasher Birmingham last night, I wonder if anyone on here managed to make it.

Also, thought I would post the web link: http://www.gatecrasher.com/birmingham

The design of the interior was by one of the top club and bar designers in America, maybe in the world, the link to the artistic drawings is below:

http://www.bigtimedesignstudios.com/projects.php?gid=7&aid=17

They're not a Brummie band, but they're the bestest band of ever ever ever.... Tilly and The Wall are playing the Barfly on Tue.

XZCZRTcY3uA

KirTaMHAUG0

NEW Orleans, which gave the world jazz, has turned Bourbon Street into a worldwide musical mecca; Nashville makes millions from its reputation as the home of Country.

Birmingham, meanwhile, has done precisely nothing to celebrate its greatest contribution to popular culture – Heavy Metal.

We’ve got so much to be proud of. Seventies legends Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant all hailed from the West Midlands.

So did bands such as Godflesh, Cerebral Fix and Napalm Death who carried the flame for later generations.

Time, methinks, for an annual week-long Metalfest in the city, and maybe a museum too, celebrating the best in doomy lyrics and sledgehammer riffs.

It’s time to make a noize about one of our greatest exports.



http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-blogs-views/birmingham-mail-columnists/the-stirrer/2008/11/20/birmingham-must-celebrate-heavy-metal-music-connection-97319-22298653/

Agreed.

Wolverhampton had something on

Wolverhampton Art Gallery Launches First Heavy Metal Archive
By Freya McClelland
22/10/2008


Forty years ago the Black Country spawned a new sound. The loud, theatrical, macho (did we mention loud?) genre soon made a indelible mark on the rest of the world and heavy metal was born.

This weekend, to commemorate its early roots in the Black Country, Wolverhampton Art Gallery celebrates all things Heavy Metal in an archive launch called Home of Metal.

Metal fans are invited to the special open day, which will take place on Saturday October 25 between 10am - 4.30pm. Organisers hope fans of metal music will unite and contribute their memories and memorabilia to form the very first digital archive of metal music.

Metalers are asked to bring their Black Sabbath T shirts, Metallica records, photos of the heady, testosterone-drenched gigs with the prerequisite moshing and headbanging.

Organisers also hope the event will yield collections of death/metal/thrash metal/progressive metal/glam metal/power metal/black metal and of course, spandex and a healthy disdain for anything inauthentic.

The day will offer the chance to share with fellow enthusiasts iconic stories, perhaps of Ozzy Osbourne, himself a Brummie, biting the head off a furry creature. These will be digitised to help create an online digital archive of memories, images and pictures to tell the story of this unique moment of Midlands musical heritage

"We are working with Capsule and other art galleries in the region to collect as much information as we can from Metal fans to be stored for future generations," said Marguerite Nugent Head of Curatorial services.

"The development of Metal music owes much to the scene in Wolverhampton and the Black Country and we want to celebrate that."

Images of devoted fans of Judas Priest, Napalm Death, Godflesh, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin will be on display on Saturday, taken by photographer Steve Gerrard, who has been capturing bands in action for over 20 years, and has photographed some of metal’s biggest names and artists.

Radio DJ Johnny Doom will host the day and will interview special guests from the heavy metal industry including Digby Pearson, Earache Records boss and label founder, responsible for releasing the early Napalm Death and Godflesh records.

Film screenings will include the first airing since 1992 of the documentary Motor City Music Years. Produced by Roger Shannon and Jonnie Turpie, the second part of the documentary focuses on heavy metal in the 1970’s showing interviews and music clips, with Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Magnum and Slade.

So calling all Metal fans, for one day only, it's time get your leathers and jeans on and make it to Wolverhampton for a unique event that could see you contribute to metal music history


http://www.24hourmuseum.org.uk/birmingham/news/ART61837.html

Public Enemy are at the Custard Factory tonight, which I think is a bit of a coup for Birmingham (only UK show I think), but it has been pretty poorly advertised as far as I can tell...

Not surprising when it comes to events advertising in Brum, it's still as crap as ever.

.... why bother?

Quick one for you guys, how's the new Gatecrasher? I've heard good things about it, but wanted unbiased opinions before I splashed out on a trip over that way!

Cheers!

Subliving.

apparently its a big hit!

Public Enemy are at the Custard Factory tonight, which I think is a bit of a coup for Birmingham (only UK show I think), but it has been pretty poorly advertised as far as I can tell...

It was an awseome gig, seemed to be a sell out, at least there was no room at all in the venue. Chuck D talked a lot about the history of Birmingham and its place in black history and culture and still makes reference to the legendary 1988 gig at the old Hummingbird. Flavor Flav on the other taked a lot of shit but was nonetheless his usual entertaining self.

Quick one for you guys, how's the new Gatecrasher? I've heard good things about it, but wanted unbiased opinions before I splashed out on a trip over that way!

Cheers!

Subliving.


All depends on which night you go for, there's loads of rooms in there so you should find something up your street. Moneypennys are doing a big night tomorrow, a night caled Filthy Funky, originally from Walsall is also developing a good rep. There's an indie room in there which has been attracting some big name DJs like Zane Lowe, Pete Doherty etc, let us know which night you're planning on coming down and I'll have a look at what's on.

Not sure what/when I'm planning yet. Probably gonna wait for a big line-up. The thing I was worried about there is it looked a little like Oceana in Leeds on the inside... However with the Gatecrasher brand I have no doubt that it can attract the big names that a huge venue requires to make it, ahem, *cool*. Hoping to pop over when they put a crasher event on.

Subliving.

Managed to find this thread at last, lol.


Birmingham given its own online musical archive

Jun 22 2009 by Jonny Greatrex, Birmingham Post

A dedicated university lecturer has devoted himself to preserving the city’s musical history by creating an exhaustive online archive.

Now Jez Collins, from Bearwood, is calling on music fans from the past five decades to help in his quest by adding their contributions and memories.

Mr Collins, launched the resource in January after gaining backing from Birmingham City University, where he is a part-time lecturer, as well as the city’s Central Library.

The 40-year-old had the idea when he visited the Central Library but could not find a section on the city’s musical history.

Mr Collins, who was once the lead singer in a band called Nigel the Spoon, said: “I was in there waiting for a friend and thought I would try and find the section on local music.

“I was amazed to see there wasn’t one, especially when you consider how many great bands have come from the area.

“I approached the library and said would they be interested in putting something on and at first I thought it would just be a stand for two weeks but it has got much bigger since then.

“I also got help and support from the university and it has gone from there.

“Other cities like Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield make a really big thing of their bands and music scene but I don’t think we do the same thing here and I want to change that.”

The website – www.birminghammusicarchive.co.uk – has profiles of dozens of bands.

But it is not limited to famous groups like Duran Duran and UB40 but also includes lesser-known acts like The Applejacks, who had seven hit singles in the 1960s, and 70s ska group The Beat.

There are other areas which cover famous promoters, venues, record labels and managers.

All elements of the site offer people the chance to leave their comments on any aspect of their involvement in Birmingham’s music scene.

Mr Collins added: “It is not just about the bands but anyone who has enjoyed music here.

“We want it to become a living thing where people meet and share stories from nights they had or bands they have seen.

“So far we have only scratched the surface of what is out there.”

Paul Long is part of a team of academics at Birmingham City University which gives money and advice to projects which seek to archive music.

He was more than happy to support the scheme, and said: “We run a partnership which works with people who want to preserve music and archiving is part of what we do. We can bringing our expertise on how it should be set-up and how it can fulfil its brief.

“It is one of the projects we most like and it really is about pride in Birmingham. People should recognise the number of great artists from here, but also anyone that has ever been to a gig and seen a band here.

“Places like Liverpool and London make a really big thing about their music but I feel we really miss out on it here.”

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/2009/06/22/birmingham-given-its-own-online-musical-archive-65233-23938609/

The 2010 Supersonic Festival headliner is announced. (http://www.capsule.org.uk/supersonic/) Must admit that I don't know much about Swans, but they seem to have another band that means a lot to a music loving minority.

thought i'd post this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_M3sdMNgQ&feature=player_embedded#!

not the greatest lyrics but oh well, good shots of birmingham though

thought i'd post this... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_M3sdMNgQ&feature=player_embedded#!

not the greatest lyrics but oh well, good shots of birmingham though

Thats actually pretty good!

yeah i thought so

Ha, I guess every little helps....
kJhQ2UKjOUs

You know there's issues with our tourism board when the sightseeing bus just circles StarCity car park....

^^^

GT & RD from Brum.

Used to be on CHU/Channel U/Channel AKA , very awful nowdays.

Used to be the only Brummies along with MD7 to be given air.

Don't hear much from MD7 anymore but Malik is getting prolific. He's upped his workload massively, and he's still keeping it underground. I still think he's the best rapper the UK can offer right now.

He has been named in the top 10 and top 5 in the whole of the UK, London loves Malik & MD7, things is tho thye still ''chill/hang'' with some people who do illegal gang activity shall we say.

People such as Twisted Revren, Gorilla Sawnoff, RMD/RealManDem chunny/chundarg, dre & etc B12 SOD, KB-Loc/KB and them Handsworth, Handsworth Wood, Perry Barr, Balsall Heath, Highgate and Ladywood lot even tho they used to ''chill'' in Newtown which are a ''rival'' area with likes of B6 SLASH/StayLoyalAndStayHumble/SlewLadywoodAndSlewHandsworth/StayLoyalAndSprayHandsworth & etc and them SLASH lot who're Aston, Lozells, Newtown, Nechells, Erdington and etc ...Zimbo, Mob Squad, Ilfamiliar.

Yeah Malik seems determined to keep strictly underground, no matter how much praise he gets. He's been doing a bit of work with Wiley recently apparently so who knows where his career could go from there. Apparently there's a lot of pushing to get Madski back on the scene now he's been released....

Explains why D.E.V has been quiet for a while, sure there's the phonecall snitch snippet on YT somewhere.

Yeh there's a Word On Road vid where Madski explains what happened in court between them two just before he got sent down.

You know WordOnRoad won't do no filming with Gorilla Sawnoff, Twisted Revren, Mafia B or Murda and them Handsworth Hoodlumz, because they filmed something for Gorilla he paid them but they said they qweren't going to upload the film or give it him, he weren't happy for them to film ir and take his money and him get nothing out of it so he and a couple of ''people'' gave the film crew some very nasty words and took the camera off them while there were still videos that other artists and road-rappers have got on there which have been paid for and not been uploaded so many un-happy people.

But not the ''Handsworth Hoodlumz''/Hoodlumz Ent Handsworth'' but they didn't mind as they got a very nice expensive cam from it and many other stuff, lol. but ''Mob Squad'' and older SLASH from B6, and B7 Nechells weren't very happy as they had many paid videos on there, lol.

Yeah I heard some controversy about Word On Road but never really looked into it. Pretty dodgy business from them, and not what the scene needs. But it's not surprising considering they've got greater allegiances to "rival" artists. This is half the reason why I don't get into this whole Birmingham business, it's just too confusing and self-defeating.

I'm sticking to the more mainstream grime with D Double E etc. By the way, how can we be talking about grime in the West Mids and not mention S-X? I'm sensing very big things for that lad!

Lol I know.

I think the ''road rap'' scene is starting to get more exposure now, ''road rap'' as in real street ish.

But problem is too many bandwagonner's are jumping on it, and half of them aren't ''on it'' so why they pretend, I dunno, maybe for a street cred.??


Name your top 5 if possi name your top 10 B'ham artists!. Lol

London has some great artists. London is the 'ish!

I can't do a top 10, I don't pay enough attention to the Birmingham scene but a top 5 off the top of my head... actually this is difficult too.

Malik is definitely at top... it's just the other four that I can't really put into any order.

K.R.A
Cobra (actually haven't heard any of his stuff for a while but I just remember being impressed)
Big Smoke Darg
Trilla (eventhough he uses the same bars over and over, he's got a versatility that most don't have)

Chucky should get a mention too I guess.

What about your London list??

I'll add Jaja Soze and the PDC lot as they're affil with B'ham and always loving Brum up!!

Joe Black, Page, Hunt, Propane tbh there's some good and some real bad, and then the one's who sometimes pull off a good track buyt mixed with tosh.

What other music you into ??? or just mainly Grimey/ UK road rap stuff??

To be honest, grime is really just a side interest for me. I'm much more into electro and dubstep, as well as hip hop. I'm starting to get an interest in reggae as well, but I'm hardly one to discuss that.

And I really don't have a clue about London, I gotta say. There's so many artists from there, it's just a big blur. If they've not been on Logan Sama's show then I forget them in a few minutes. :|

Haha kool mate no problem.

Don't really listen to Dubstep, so who would you recommend to me to get into this sound??

You've gotta start with the godfathers of dubstep: Caspa, Rusko, Skream, Benga and Joker. Nero, too. There's so many artists now though, because the popularity of it has just exploded in the past year or two. If you find yourself like the "filthy" side of it then there's Borgore, Bar9 and Datsik, and if you like the more chilled out side then there's 16Bit (though some stuff of there's is as unchilled out as you can get) and Breakage (who you might know for producing "Hard" featuring Newham Generals).

Kool kool, will delve into that stuff & youtube them up, cheers.

The homogenisation of radio continues at a pace, as Global Radio rebrand Galaxy as...


Capital FM to replace Galaxy

Global Radio is to scrap the Galaxy Network, Red Dragon FM, Trent FM, Leicester Sound and Ram FM and rebrand all stations as Capital FM.

The new nine-station “Capital Network” will launch on January 3rd 2011 when all programmes with the exception of breakfast and drive will originate from Leicester Square, London.

Founder and Global Group CEO, Ashley Tabor told RadioToday.co.uk that only a “handful” of presenters will lose their jobs as a result of this move, which he describes as one of the biggest events to happen in UK commercial radio.

He said: “Since Global was created we have prided ourselves on being an industry innovator. The formation of the new Capital Network represents another huge innovation from Global Radio, taking an established, trusted and loved brand and extending it across the UK to create a true national network of stations reaching 6.3m with a clear hit music proposition.”

Local presenters on Trent, Ram, Red Dragon and Leicester Sound, plus some Galaxy presenters are affected by the changes. Global Radio is offering positions in London for staff affected at the network hub in Leeds. Split links will be used by all London presenters outside of breakfast and drivetime to keep local content on the regional and local stations.

Capital FM will replace the six Galaxy stations operating in Birmingham, Scotland, South Coast, Manchester, Yorkshire and North East as well as the current Hit Music Network stations Red Dragon, Trent, RAM and Leicester Sound.

It means former Capital FM sister stations such as BRMB will now compete directly with the new network, and Bauer's Big City Network faces stiffer competition in markets such as Leeds and Manchester.

From 2011 the network will be known as “95 – 106 Capital FM, The UK’s No.1 Hit Music Station” but the stations will ID locally as [freq] Capital FM but local news hours will be extended and local advertising will remain locally sold.

Global Radio has only just completed a similar programme of creating Heart as a national brand, closing 20 locations and merging them with nearby stations to create larger single stations.


http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6265.2

London brand in Birmingham playing mainstream pop pap? Surely will go down like a lead balloon?

So Capital now plays to more people outside the Capital than in? :lol:

Great news in a way - this creates space for demand for local stations - it will take time but they will come I think :)

Thanks for the post :cheers:

No problem! :)

My 20 year old son (he has special needs so cant get out that much) watched all the bands at the ArtsFest on Sunday.

The last band were Templeton Pek and he would love to see them again.

Anyone know if and when they are appearing locally again.

I have had a hunt round the web but cant find anything till November (the Flapper pub I think).

http://www.templetonpekofficial.com/

Check out seventh horizon at www.myspace.com/7thhorizon. A young band from Birmingham that have just been signed to Mighty Atom Smasher records founded by Robert Plant. Show a brummy band you support.

My 20 year old son (he has special needs so cant get out that much) watched all the bands at the ArtsFest on Sunday.

The last band were Templeton Pek and he would love to see them again.

Anyone know if and when they are appearing locally again.

I have had a hunt round the web but cant find anything till November (the Flapper pub I think).

http://www.templetonpekofficial.com/

They were playing at the Flapper as part of ArtsFest on Sunday (I was volunteering there) and they had their poster up - only listing the Sunday gigs though. Here's a photo of them doing their acoustic set.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/4986935457_da3f2ec329_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedevelopmentofbirmingham/4986935457/)
Templeton Pek acoustic set at Artsfest (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedevelopmentofbirmingham/4986935457/) by The Development of Birmingham (http://www.flickr.com/people/thedevelopmentofbirmingham/), on Flickr

Found a nice scan of what Brummie concert tickets used to look like in the late '80s. (http://i.imgur.com/79zSr.jpg)

Haha I remember the old style tickets - imagine the hairspray at those gigs!!

I used to have some great times at Powerhouse (Cult, Sisters of Mercy, Spear of Destiny) and Tower Ballroom (Smiths, New Order).

Found a nice scan of what Brummie concert tickets used to look like in the late '80s. (http://i.imgur.com/79zSr.jpg)

I've got a few of those.

ELO, Genesis, Quo, Duran Duran - all from the early '80's.

A gig for anyone who likes hip hop music... Akala (Ms Dynamites little brother) has his Double Think tour date in birmingham for the 5th of nov. tickets are £8

Custard Factory have an awesome line up for tomorrow night for their Halloween party. Kissy Sellout, Flux Pavillion, Funtcase, Stanton Warriors, Subfocus, Jaguar Skills, and loads more. I would have bought tickets had I known earlier, especially as I'm back in the city of dreams this weekend! :)

Anyone going to see Take That at Villa park??????????? LOL

BUMP!

Went to a gig in St Pauls in the JQ last night - Goodnight Lenin supported by Boat to Row. No doubt the best live performance I have ever witnessed, so much passion, raw talent, and just sheer brilliance. Add to the fact that it was in St Pauls, with a smattering of snow on the ground. Brilliant.

A lovely album cover featuring Spaghetti Junction: Teeth Of the Sea - 'Your Mercury'.
http://i51.tinypic.com/rt3tl1.jpg

Came home from work tonight to hear the very sad news that Trish Keenan, the singer from Broadcast, had passed away today after complications arising from contracting swine flu. Her vocals have accompanied many a chill out evening I've shared with friends and the albums Broadcast have released contain - IMO - some of the best music to come from our city.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-12194530

Came home from work tonight to hear the very sad news that Trish Keenan, the singer from Broadcast, had passed away today after complications arising from contracting swine flu. Her vocals have accompanied many a chill out evening I've shared with friends and the albums Broadcast have released contain - IMO - some of the best music to come from our city.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-12194530

I have to say I have never heard of Broadcast or Trish Keenan, but it's a sad loss for anyone to die at her age.

I have to say I have never heard of Broadcast or Trish Keenan, but it's a sad loss for anyone to die at her age.

If you get the chance, and also have an open mind to music, it's a worthwhile experience to check out their albums. You can't get a much more fitting tribute than this, from a New York site

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/01/remembering_trish_keenan_the_e.html

A good introduction to Broadcast:
Zw5ztuhEat4

Broadcast were always on my list of bands to check out, but for some reason never got round to them even though I like their style of music. I suppose now is the time...

Has anyone else listened to this album? - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Birmingham-Frequencies-Higher-Intelligence-Agency/dp/B00022M5CM The description in the reviews do a better job than I ever could, but if you are a fan of ambient music then you will love this plus it contains real samples from around our city.

This girl from our fair city has become a bit of an internet sensation over the past few days thanks to this video.... errrrrr.... :shifty:

nmeUBTuqfNY

ohhh did you have to??? 500,000 youtube views or something silly in a week lol

It was going to creep back on us at some point - might as well do it now... Yeh it's at 295,000 at the mo but it's rising fast... It's a bit surreal but equally embarrassing to see people from the other side of Atlantic making comments on blogs and websites about this. I was going to say I hope she fades out soon but she's already featuring on new tracks popping up on the internet. :bash:

yeah sneakboo got on a track with her the night after everyone started talking about her, i also heard she has record deal offers from majors and wiley plus others were on the phone to her this week

I didn't think Wiley would be so stupid, but he's unpredictable, I guess... She's just jumped on a track with Margs I think. :ohno: Can't she just say she's from London instead?! :gaah:

lol yeah Wiley launched chipmunk though lol. I think it wasn't good for urban music in general never mind Birmingham.

Birmingham, England ... the unlikely birthplace of heavy metal
By Laura Allsop for CNN
July 1, 2011 -- Updated 1538 GMT (2338 HKT)

Birmingham, England (CNN) -- When it comes to heavy metal music, there is one UK city that can claim to be its rightful home: Birmingham.

Known for its former bleak industrial zones and often rainy streets, Birmingham is not normally synonymous with show business.

And Brummies, as they're known, are unlikely to shout their musical pedigree from the rooftops of the city's Victorian terraced houses.

But a summer of events titled "Home of Metal," celebrating all things heavy metal both in the city and in the aptly named Black Country surrounding it, should change all that.


The bill includes an exhibition of metal memorabilia at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, where metal fans can play guitars, gaze at glittering costumes, original posters and LP artwork, and hear heavy metal blasted through the normally quiet galleries.

Also on the bill are exhibitions showing metal-inspired visual art; one devoted to stage costumes (the area's tanneries are credited with inspiring the heavy metal "look"); and several exploring the region's history of metalworking and the heavy metal sound, suggesting that the genre is a curious legacy of England's industrial revolution.

"Perhaps it's been a little backwards about coming forwards," said Nic Bullen, founder of Birmingham-based "grindcore" band Napalm Death.

"Birmingham has to some extent always been insular, not by some sort of elitist philosophy, simply because it exists within itself, so why reach out? But this musical heritage is important to people across the world, so it's worth celebrating," he continued.

Birmingham has spawned some of the pioneers of the genre, such as Black Sabbath -- all of whose members, including rocker-turned-reality-TV star "Ozzy" Osbourne, grew up in the city and worked in its factories.

Their shared experience of heavy industry was an important factor, said guitarist Tony Iommi, in shaping the band's uncompromising sound.

"It influences you and your music, wanting to get away, to break out in some way," said Iommi

He worked as a welder and his experience on the factory floor left a permanent mark on both him and his music. As a teenager, he lost the tips of his middle and ring fingers on his right hand while using a metal cutting machine.

"That was it, my life was ended as far as I was concerned," he remembered. "It was devastating."

But after listening to the music of pioneering jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt -- who also lost two fingers in an accident -- Iommi was inspired to keep playing.

"So I made some metal tips for my fingers and learned to play again. I had to start again, in a way, learn a different style of playing and it changed the sound entirely," Iommi said.

Other musical heroes from Birmingham and the surrounding Black Country include Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, and bands Judas Priest, Napalm Death and Godflesh.

But though Black Sabbath formed over 40 years ago, it is only now that Birmingham's contribution to modern music is being celebrated.

"There's always someone out there who is going to say, 'Oh, that's evil music, that's a racket' -- there's always going to be that type.

"But there's also the other side that love it and are really proud and glad to see it," said Iommi.

Lisa Meyer, Creative Director of local music and arts organization "Capsule," which is responsible for staging "Home of Metal," agreed.

"I hope it gives people a sense of civic pride and something to be really proud of, something that is home-grown.

All too often, places like Birmingham have a chip on their shoulder and tend to buy into modern cultural content but actually this celebrates something from here, a contemporary history that is authentic," she said.

And according to Iommi, who said he spent much of his Black Sabbath career in America explaining that he was from Birmingham, England and not Birmingham, Alabama, "Home of Metal" will go some way to putting his native city firmly on the musical map.

"Nobody knew Liverpool until the Beatles and Gerry and the Pacemakers came along," he said.

"And the same is now happening with Birmingham."

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/07/01/birmingham.home.of.metal/

Birmingham, England ... the unlikely birthplace of heavy metal


Or as the sign outside the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery says:

"the unlikely BIRTHPACE of heavy metal"

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/guilbert53/Birthpace.jpg

Or as the sign outside the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery says:

"the unlikely BIRTHPACE of heavy metal"

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv10/guilbert53/Birthpace.jpg

:bash: :ohno:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n221/Savient/failol.jpg

..

Birmingham Ballroom

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmpost/jul2011/9/2/the-ballroom-626822124.jpg

Birmingham Ballroom

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmpost/jul2011/9/2/the-ballroom-626822124.jpg

i like that, good to have another venue in the city anyway. All we need are a few big named artists to come out of these parts and im not talking trilla

i like that, good to have another venue in the city anyway. All we need are a few big named artists to come out of these parts and im not talking trilla

:lol: Don't be hating on Trilla, he seems to be the only one keeping the city's name in people's mouths at the moment. :|

But I do agree, we need more venues, big and small, for artists to help generate a buzz. There are so many events going on in the city that do this also, but they just don't get mentioned. Like I only recently found out about the Flyover Show. It's been running for some 3 years with some incredibly promising acts and you hardly hear about it - I only found out this year because Goldie was headlining.

This was at the top of the Guardian homepage. :)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/video/2011/jul/11/black-sabbath-tony-iommi-video

Birmingham to bang drum for music industry heritage
by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail
Aug 2 2011
TOURISM chiefs hope to tempt holidaymakers to dance to a different tune – by showcasing Birmingham’s musical heritage.

Council bosses are desperate for the city to muscle in on the £1.4 billion UK music tourism trade, currently dominated by Liverpool, Manchester and London.

Locations on the star map may include the Aston street where Ozzy Osborne grew up, the Broad Street site of the old Rum Runner club, where Duran Duran made their name, and the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath, where UB40 first performed.

The tourism push was inspired by the success of the Home of Metal exhibition, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s tribute to the iconic Midland sound.

Coun Philip Parkin, who is leading the council’s drive, said: “Home of Metal has been featured in the national and international media.

“All those features said they did not realise that Birmingham and its industry inspired and influenced heavy metal music.

“We need to take a look at our music heritage and work out how to make the most of it.”

Coun Parkin has already met musician Feargal Sharkey, now chief executive of industry body UK Music. The body published a report into the nation’s music tourism earlier this year, which recommended the implementation of a national live music tourism strategy to increase the number of overseas visitors. Ideas already being considered in Birmingham are blue heritage plaques, a musical map or trail, a permanent location for the Home of Metal and the launch of a strategic forum for the local music industry, made up of performers, promoters, venues and studio representatives.

The city council’s inquiry into increasing music visitor numbers will take evidence from Birmingham music historian John Hemming, musicians and promoters.

To contribute to the inquiry, write to Coun Parkin, care of the Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB.


Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/08/02/birmingham-to-bang-drum-for-music-industry-heritage-97319-29159140/#ixzz1Tth0NPLf

Saw these guys, Alternative Dubstep Orchestra, live last night in Bristol, turned out they're from Birmingham and do all their rehearsals there. One of the line up is 3x DMC champion DJ Switch. They're absolutely amazing live!

BAg6XL_Jvek

An internationally renowned techno label Sandwell Distruct, named after the Midlands borough, is splitting up after 6 years. The regular person on the street probably hasn't heard of the label but they developed quite a following in the underground techno scene. Despite many of members coming from the US, the name was chosen by co-founder Karl O'Connor who comes from Birmingham and established the Downwards Records techno label in the city back in 1993.

They posted this announcement on their website on Saturday.

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx1bioQitf1qza06jo1_500.jpg

Saw these guys, Alternative Dubstep Orchestra, live last night in Bristol, turned out they're from Birmingham and do all their rehearsals there. One of the line up is 3x DMC champion DJ Switch. They're absolutely amazing live!


Damn that was good..... Hope they've got a few gigs going on up at the Rainbow..

4th Jan 2012




As part of a weekend long event, Circo Loco showcase a new outdoor venue for Birmingham on April 7th, at an all day party featuring Jamie Jones, Kerri Chandler, Matthias Tanzmann and more.

'The Arena' is a 4000 capacity, coliseum-esque outdoor courtyard space flanked by Victorian railway arches right in the heart of the city centre.

On Saturday 7th April, Circo Loco brings some of their favourite DJs to do battle in this epic new space, at an all day party that starts at midday and goes on until 1am. As well as mind melting lights and pyrotechnics, the space will be decked out with heavy sound systems and all the extra promotion you'd expect of the world famous Circoloco brand.

DJs at this all day rave will be 'Loco favorites Jamie Jones, Kerri Chandler, Matthias Tanzmann, Dyed Soundorom, Dan Ghenacia, Cassy, The Martinez Brothers and Below main man Adam Shelton.

WIth plenty of outdoor food stalls, toilets, three large bars and a chill out area, Circo Loco in the Arena will be up there with some of the best outdoor dance music festivals around, and a must-do event for your calendar.

Earlybird tickets are now available for just £35.

http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Circo-Loco-showcase-new-outdoor-Birmingham-arena-with-huge-all-day-party-/11114/

Just want to take this oppurtunity to promote by small business:

Digi-Fy

Vinyl to MP3 Service

After speaking to some people I have decided to start a small Business converting Vinyls (any size) to MP3's.

Simply send the Vinyl to my adress with a return adress enclosed and I will convert the vinyl to MP3 and can either store it on a USB stick, send via email, or file share.

50p per side. (double sided for £1.00)

Either post a USB stick to me and I will save the music to that or purchase a memory stick from me.

1GB=£2
2GB=£5
4GB=£8
10GB=Not available
12GB=Not available

CD is available but prices vary. Contact me for further details.

PayPal, Cash, Cheque accepted.

Please PM me if you are interested and I will send my postal adress and email adress for ease of contact.

---

Thanks


Thank you.

Just want to take this oppurtunity to promote by small business:

Digi-Fy

Vinyl to MP3 Service

After speaking to some people I have decided to start a small Business converting Vinyls (any size) to MP3's.

Simply send the Vinyl to my adress with a return adress enclosed and I will convert the vinyl to MP3 and can either store it on a USB stick, send via email, or file share.

50p per side. (double sided for £1.00)

Either post a USB stick to me and I will save the music to that or purchase a memory stick from me.

1GB=£2
2GB=£5
4GB=£8
10GB=Not available
12GB=Not available

CD is available but prices vary. Contact me for further details.

PayPal, Cash, Cheque accepted.

Please PM me if you are interested and I will send my postal adress and email adress for ease of contact.

---

Thanks


Thank you.

Did someone get one of those record players with inbuilt USB port for Christmas? ;)

Did someone get one of those record players with inbuilt USB port for Christmas? ;)

I've got about 15 of them. And have had for a few years now. I use high quality, not the Ion ones, I made one myself, well I'm looking for a band to connect the drive wheel to the deck itself, as i tried using gears, but too much noise was made, it got hot very quickly, and I couldn't get it to the correct speeds.

I must note I can only do 33's and 45's, I have trouble with anything greater or less.

I can also convert cylinder pg's.

Oops, I knew I'd make a fool of myself. :shifty:

Anyway, the stylus on the cheap ones like you get in Argos jumps as soon as it comes across a speck of dust - so much for good recording to MP3. I trust your way is much better. :yes:

Keep up the good work and apologies from me. :)

No probs mate.

I haven't seen the ones that you get in argos, but I assume the stylus is fixed, whereas on the ones i have (majority anyway) it is bendy and absorbs the sound far more clearly. The fixed stylus' also kill the vinyl quicker, simply due to friction. The new ones just glide through the groove. It's all about getting the softest material possible that still has some strength for the stylus. Also using a shock absorber and an FR 27 (custom made) installed through the arm restricts fast movement as a result of jolting etc of the vinyl. It's very high quality stuff that I use, nice and crisp, (and takes a lot of cleaning!) Just about CD quality I'd say.

As I say, If you're ever interested, pm me and i can pick the vinyls up for a small cost dependant on distance and deliver them back to you, or postage, but that can get expensive when sending over 50 vinyls!

(I recently got a job involving over 400 vinyls, I haven't finished it yet, but the customer insisted on postage!-The cost of that is probably more than the music's worth!)

Anyone heard of an indie group called The Musgraves? It's not really my sort of music but I just saw them perform on the Graham Norton Show and then the lead singer was interviewed. I thought his accent sounded somewhat... local. :D


The Musgraves are a British roots-pop band....based in Birmingham, England, with members from Wolverhampton, Hull and Birmingham.

The band gained popularity in 2011 with their EP Lost In Familiarity, featuring four songs: "So Sofia"; "Back To Me"; "Discover Me"; and "Fortune Teller".

An instrumental version of "Discover Me" was used as the sound bed for the BT (British Telecom) Wedding, part of a television advertising campaign that followed a fictional couple from their initial meeting through to their wedding day. The Wedding advert premiered during 'Britain’s Got Talent' a week before the official wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The Musgraves debut single, "Last of Me" (to be released digitally in March 2012), was first championed by Graham Norton on his BBC Radio 2 show. Before appearing on The Graham Norton Show, televisied on 3 February 2012, the band had their van containing all of their equipment stolen on Sunday 29 January 2012 from Lichfield. Staffordshire Police are presently investigating the theft of the Mercedes Sprinter van. The first unsigned band to play the show, the band played the set with borrowed equipment and clothes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Musgraves

zLnU4aPlaYE

I think they may have done okay five years ago when the likes of Scouting For Girls were around but I'm not so sure how they'll get on now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWLZ68-cPgk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

This one's cool. Think they're well produced and there vids are original.

Moseley will be on fire on June 23. Ghostpoet and roots manuva playing at mostly jazz festival

To all you techno heads out there, TRMNL has rebranded after a 3 year hiatus and is launching as Lab11 next month.

LAB11: new Birmingham venue opens with Radio Slave
http://factmag-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Radio-Slave-21-02-12.jpg

Techno promoters TRMNL have announced a string of killer nights at their new Birmingham venue.


LAB11 opens its doors on March 31. To mark the occasion, Radio Slave (aka Matt Edwards, aka Rekid, aka one half of Quiet Village) will be on launch-night honours, showcasing his warm and inclusive vein of techno. Also joining him will be Mark Henning, whose taut, jacking techno has seen release on labels including Soma and Clink.

There are plenty more house and techno heavyweights already booked to appear at the club throughout 2012. Detroit legend Carl Craig will be joined by Dutch techno technician Lauhaus on April 7; Sebo K and Markus Fix keep things house-heavy on April 14; and Minus Records’ Barem will helm the bill on April 21. Further down the line, ARAS boss Andre Galuzzi will be appearing on April 28, and British pair Audiofly are down for May 12. Finally, Cocoon’s minimal techno titan Onur Ozer will headline on May 19.

http://www.factmag.com/2012/02/21/radio-slave-to-play-lab11-launch-night-in-march/

Just found this old video about Soweto Kinch's Flyover Show that happens beneath the Hockley Flyover. Is it back on this year?

-yVTFHsd2O8

Defected hit Birmingham to launch brand new Digbeth club space

March sees Birmingham's nightlife enhanced by the arrival of Gibb Street Warehouse; a new warehouse style clubbing space in Digbeth, at the heart of of Birmingham's electronic music pulse.

28th Feb 2012

Launching on March 31st with what's set to be a ground shattering party from house heavyweights Defected, Gibb Street Warehouse will evoke the feeling of early Acid House parties whist embracing state of the art modern technology and a highly experienced operations team.

As one of the most successful and influential record labels in the history of dance music, Defected are perfectly poised to launch Gibb Street Warehouse as it means to go on, with a peerless cast of main room artists .

Top of the bill will be two artists who have been at the forefront of Defected’s grip on accessible house music, Junior Jack and Kid Creme.

The Belgian pairing remain one of dance music’s most bankable pairs; Crème being the perfect foil for the production genius of Junior Jack and his catalogue of aliases. The pairing have been ever-presents in the finest DJ booths across the globe since their explosion at the turn of the century, and their inimitable brand of filtered house music remains one of the most potent around.

Joining them is another deadly duo, Copyright. Mixing up a ferocious concoction of tribal beats, Latin percussion and belting main room vocals, Copyright make twenty first century house the old fashioned way. Their productions have been dropped by everyone from Pete Tong to Erick Morillo, Francois K to Derrick Carter, with their DJ sets representing themselves and Defected everywhere from Hong Kong to Helsinki.

The final name on the bill is another Defected stalwart as well as someone Copyright have got behind on their own self-titled imprint, Franky Rizardo.

He completes a bill of ferocious talent which marks Defected returning to the second city for their Gibb St debut.

http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Defected-hit-Birmingham-to-launch-brand-new-Digbeth--club-space/11684/

Quantic's from Bewdley - hopefully this counts for this thread...
n4pzKSKtWNY

GODSKITCHEN present SIXFIVETWELVE at an event in May

The international clubbing brand Godskitchen are to hold an event on bank holiday Sunday on 6th May 2012, SixFiveTwelve. Held in Birmingham, the open-air all-nighter set will take place at Air Warehouse and Car Park arena within a secluded industrial complex. The event is set to celebrate over a decade of Godskitchen events, paying tribute to the original warehouse raves that have been held in the city.

Armin Van Buuren returns to the city to play an extended set for one of only two UK tour dates for him ahead of the summer. As well as the international artist, a host of trance and electronic music acts will be announced at a later date, making it one of the biggest clubbing events in Birmingham this year.

Early bird tickets are now on sale for £25 plus a booking fee, and more detail on the event can be seen below;

Bank holiday Sunday 6th May 2012,
Air Warehouse & Car Park Arena, Custard Factory Complex, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AL,
21:00 - 06:00.

http://hangout.altsounds.com/news/144353-armin-van-buuren-headline-sixfivetwelve.html

Anybody else mentioned this that Madonna will be visting 3 UK Cities only this year and guess who they are ?????

LONDON
BIRMINGHAM
EDINBURGH

Nice little coup for Brum and the NEC Group me thinks. :cheers::cheers:


http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Madonna-tickets/artist/768011

This group only set up a year ago, had a great time at AUM at the cellar @the rainbow the other night. For technoheads I really reccommend these guys.

https://www.facebook.com/AumBrimingham#!/AumBrimingham

Also hearing news we may be having a new location-not the custard factory for the next Atomic Jam.

Trance supremo's Above & Beyond played Brum last night for the first time (?) or first time in years at least - at Digbeth Civic Hall (or HMV Institute to you young people).

They were absolutely brilliant.

It's also pleasing to see that their rare UK tour is London, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow and Belfast. All the comments on the Birmingham Gig comments page on their website were some other city whinging...

Trance supremo's Above & Beyond played Brum last night for the first time (?) or first time in years at least - at Digbeth Civic Hall (or HMV Institute to you young people).

They were absolutely brilliant.

It's also pleasing to see that their rare UK tour is London, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow and Belfast. All the comments on the Birmingham Gig comments page on their website were some other city whinging...



Above & Beyond play Godskitchen @ Air quite regular dude, last time was Nov 2010.

Ah, must have missed that one. I am a bit out of touch...

I caught them at amnesia last summer, i noticed on you-tube they'd played at air, but that said 2009.

Anyway, they were still really good ...:)

Is anyone going to the Mostly Jazz Festival next month? I am really impressed with the line up!

Im going on the Friday. can't wait - cracking line up. hope the weather improves

Forget Madchester, it's all about the B-Town scene
Birmingham is gaining a reputation for its indie music explosion, says Alison King
Saturday 13 October 2012, Alison King

In its heyday in the 1980s, Birmingham was the birthplace of DIY rock and heavy metal. It was the origin of Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Napalm Death and Godflesh, who broke out with their visceral guitars, and Ozzy Osbourne biting the heads off bats.

Led Zeppelin hailed from the city and Pink Floyd recorded live sets for Ummagumma in the now long-gone club Mothers. Then there was Electric Light Orchestra, The Move, The Moody Blues, UB40, The Beat and Duran Duran, who all staked their claim as the boys who “done good” from Birmingham. Since then, Birmingham's impact on the music scene has been pretty humble. Even 1990s residents Ocean Colour Scene rose to fame riding the coattails of the “Madchester” scene. Twenty years on, Birmingham is now having something of a musical comeback as emerging new talents bring national attention to the city's indie scene.

Up-and-coming indie bands Swim Deep, with their shimmering summer tunes, and Peace, with their psychedelic guitars and catchy choruses, are among the Birmingham bands currently receiving national hype. In the same vein as the 1980s DIY bands, Swim Deep, Peace, Troumaca, Corelli, Wide Eyed, Bombers and JAWS aren't just part of the same scene, they are all friends. They grew up together, live near each other, work together, party together and play together in the same clubs, pubs and house parties in Birmingham. Harrison Koisser, the lead singer of Peace, says: “We recorded our first demo for ”Bblood“ in our mate Dom Ganderton's party flat in [Birmingham district] Digbeth, and Swim Deep and Wide Eyed did their first demos at his house in Edgbaston. Even [Columbia Records' A&R] Ollie Hodge went on to sign us after he saw us play in Ganderton's kitchen in Edgbaston”.

Digbeth was recently named “The Shoreditch of Birmingham” by NME. Covered in graffitied Peace symbols on street corners, and with photos of band members put up proudly in their former workplaces, the band members are more than just local celebrities – they've created a fanbase within Birmingham that has touched a musical nerve across the UK and made music lovers turn to the city for new music. Even London's Old Blue Last pub venue has been graffitied with a large Peace sign across its doors in recent months.

“It all started with Troumaca,” says Koisser. “It's our mate's band who used to put on nights at the Adam & Eve pub where us and Swim Deep used to support them. That's where it all became a thing. It was us and these other bands just having a laugh. Other than that we just used to drink K Cider in Digbeth and go to 'FACE' at The Rainbow”. When KK Downing, the founding member of Judas Priest, spoke to the BBC about the emergence of the metal scene in the 1980s, he responded similarly: “We didn't have cars or money so we just walked around from pub to club and on the corner of every street there was a venue with bands playing.”

Earlier this year as Peace were seen on billboards in Birmingham with the slogan “WHAT THE FCK BIRMINGHAM”, they would be promoting nights like 'Club Babe' at The Rainbow. In the past few months their tracks would pop up on websites Soundcloud and YouTube and attract instant hype online, such as their first demo “Bblood” (now called “Bloodshake”) and “Follow Baby” – including a video of the band with all their Birmingham friends on a hilltop – which made the rest of the UK prick up its ears to the sound of something new and very British. Peace's cheeky guitar hooks and lyrics like “You vibe so hard” are a biting image of the naive, destructive power of youth that are making a mark on mainstream UK indie.

Swim Deep, who signed to RCA in August, broke out with their refreshing summer tracks “King City” and “Honey”. Catching on to the Californian grunge-pop wave, they dream of a place beyond the dull, grey Midlands. Finding inspiration in summery Beach House-esque escapism, their tunes are full of clean synth loops and dreamy guitars. Their video to single “King City” acts as a tribute to Birmingham as the band run amok around local landmarks including its famous local band venue, The Sunflower Lounge.

JAWS, Wide Eyed, Heavy Waves, Poppy & The Jezebels, The Bombergs, Two Fathoms and Victories at Sea are among other bands now seeing success beyond the Birmingham scene, and it's in part thanks to local promoters. “This Is Tomorrow”, “Atta Girl”, “Likely Lads” and “Chicks Dig Jerks” are the key promoters bringing in fresh, new talent from Birmingham and drawing in crowds to hotspots like Hare & Hounds, The Rainbow and The Sunflower Lounge to celebrate Birmingham's place among the best in new UK music.

Before heading on tour with UK rising indie band Spector, Swim Deep's bassist Cavan McCarthy jokes that, “The Birmingham scene happened because there are special powers in the beer at The Rainbow, and Austin Williams (Swim Deep) and Harry Koisser (Peace) both drank beer there”, adding “it just happened because it happened”. Austin Williams, the lead singer of Swim Deep told NME: “What's happened is more than three bands are decent enough to get on the radio and get people excited so it's been talked about and labelled a 'scene', the B-Town scene. To be honest, it is a scene; all the bands go out together in Digbeth in the Adam & Eve and stuff. You go out and know everyone in the room.”

The buzz and activity surrounding Birmingham's music scene has spread throughout the UK and has led bands to sign major record and publishing deals, sell out shows, receive national radio play and play big, overseas tours. The music scene may have laid dormant for some time, but Birmingham is fast becoming the best place in the UK to look to for the most exciting new music.http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/forget-madchester-its-all-about-the-btown-scene-8207631.html

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Good to see Brum recognised for its music scene. :cheers:

Having 4 or 5 cutting edge, credible bands break through into the mainstream will do more for the city's reputation than any marketing campaign could ever come near.

quality. love troumaca . the peace ep is good as well

I likes new band from Leamington, Coves.
0dOVFO8v9pw

Having 4 or 5 cutting edge, credible bands break through into the mainstream will do more for the city's reputation than any marketing campaign could ever come near.

I'm not sure if skinny-boy indie guitar pop is cutting edge or even credible at the moment. Still good luck to them.

For those who don't have your tickets yet (!), Supersonic festival (http://www.supersonicfestival.com/) is this weekend. There aren't many categories in which Birmingham boasts a credible entry for "best in the world", but Supersonic is definitely up there for experimental/adventurous music.

http://kknull.com/images/flyers/day_SS2012.jpg

For those who don't have your tickets yet (!), Supersonic festival (http://www.supersonicfestival.com/) is this weekend. There aren't many categories in which Birmingham boasts a credible entry for "best in the world", but Supersonic is definitely up there for experimental/adventurous music.

http://kknull.com/images/flyers/day_SS2012.jpg

Brilliant mini-festival! Was there last year for the three days and am looking forward to another very eclectic weekend at the Custard.

Great stuff.. Bloody rain though :-/

Fuzzbox guitarist Jo Dunne, 43, dies after cancer battle

Tributes have been paid to musician Jo Dunne of Fuzzbox who has died aged 43.

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/63753000/jpg/_63753161_jodunneonline.jpg

Dunne, who rose to fame with the all-girl alternative rock group in the 1980s, died from cancer at St Mary's Hospice, Birmingham, on Friday night.

The band, whose full name is We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Going to Use it, had hits including Love is the Slug and Pink Sunshine.

The Birmingham band, including Dunne on guitar and her sister Maggie on keyboards, re-formed in 2010.

'Eccentric style'

Known for their distinctive videos, the group returned with a cover of the M track Pop Muzik.

Her sister Maggie said she was very proud of Jo.

"Jo is one of the very few female guitarists in this country that had any recognition and any success," she said.

"People from other bands admired her eccentric style."

She said Jo died peacefully after a short illness.

"I want everyone to remember her for being so brave at the end," she added.

Fans left messages on Twitter expressing their sadness and talking of their memories of Dunne.

Miles Hunt, of the Wonder Stuff, said: "Very sad to hear that Jo Dunne of Fuzzbox passed away last night.

"Far too young to be moving on.

"Much love to all of her family and friends."

The band re-formed in 2010 after lead singer Vix (Vickie Perks) was approached by an agent after appearing on BBC Two's Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-20109648


B_72Y9L7DAk

Two local acts - Peace and Laura Mvula - appear on the BBC's Sound of 2013 longlist

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20607499

troumaca signed to Giles petersons label. ep due in Jan. great news. playing hare and hounds next week

Two local acts - Peace and Laura Mvula - appear on the BBC's Sound of 2013 longlist

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20607499

Peace are originally from Worcester. Moved to Birmingham last year. But still good.

Yes, heard bloodshake a few times on the radio, really great tune I think.