Brum Notes Magazine December 2010 by Brum Notes Magazine

december 2010

www.brumnotes.com music and lifestyle for the west midlands

free

All hail the party season, it’s time for...

! Y P A W E ...SPEECH F

ALSO INSIDE: *FEEDER *MJ COLE *HOW TO COOK THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS DINNER *THE UK’S BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS *and YOUR NEW LOOK WHAT’S ON GUIDE

PLUS: Win tickets for the Kerrang! Radio Christmas Party, NYE at Gatecrasher & Motown legends Martha Reeves & the Vandellas in concert November 2010

Brum Notes Magazine

Brum Notes Magazine 120 The Greenhouse The Custard Factory Digbeth Birmingham B9 4AA

CONTENTS

Contact: info@brumnotes.com 0121 224 7363 Advertising: Rates start from £50. Contact: 0121 224 7363 or advertising@brumnotes.com Distribution: StickupMedia! 0121 224 7364 Editor: Chris Moriarty Contributors Words: Ben Russell, Tom Pell, James Collins, Lyle Bignon, Mark Salmon, Lee Hathaway, Jose Jones, Cassie-Philomena Smyth Pictures: Wayne Fox, Mark Salmon, Daniel Norton, Sydnie, Richard Shakespeare, Rob Tromans, Jade Sukiya, Jack Snape, Conor Fitzhenry Design: Ryan Killeen, Andy Aitken, Sleepy Design All content © Brum Notes Magazine. Views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Brum Notes Magazine. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of content, Brum Notes Magazine will not be held liable for any errors or losses claimed to have been incurred by any errors. Advertising terms and conditions available on request.

P3-4 P20-23 P26-28 P32 P40-46 P4 P17 P46

P7 P8-9 P10 P11 P12 P16-17 P30-31 P34-35

REGULARS: NEWS LIVE CLUBBING DRINK OF THE MONTH WHAT’S ON - your new look guide to music, clubs and comedy COMPETITIONS: ONE PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS FIVE PAIRS OF TICKETS TO THE KERRANG! RADIO CHRISTMAS PARTY THREE PAIRS OF TICKETS TO THE GATECRASHER NYE SPECTACULAR WORTH £210 INTERVIEWS: MJ COLE THE TRAPS TOM PEEL GREG BIRD CAJOLE CAJOLE FEEDER FEATURES: FOOD & DRINK - HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS DINNER TRAVEL - THE BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS TO VISIT FOR A SWIFT FESTIVE BREAK

November 2010

LINE-UP CONFIRMED FOR FREE BRUM NOTES CHRISTMAS PARTY Some of the finest emerging musical talent in the Midlands will headline a free night of live music and DJs for this year’s Brum Notes Magazine Christmas Party. We’ve teamed up with Speech Fewapy Records and Purity Brewing Co to bring you an uber-cool evening of festivities on December 17, the final Friday before Christmas, upstairs at The Victoria in John Bright Street, Birmingham city centre. A packed line-up of solo artists, bands and DJs will keep the party going into the early hours of the morning with entry remaining free all night. Headlining the live stage will be indie innovators THE TRAPS, with support from Wolverhampton art-rock trio CAJOLE CAJOLE, lo-fi popster GREG BIRD & FLAMINGO FLAME and fun-folk oddball TOM PEEL, with all four acts promising some festive surprises. There will also be DJ sets from the likes of THIS IS TOMORROW, TANTRUMS, MALPAS, VICTORIES AT SEA and SAVANT until 2am. Doors open at 7.30pm so ditch the office party and get down early for an unmissable night of musical talent, all for free. Plus, confirm your attendance at Facebook.com/BrumNotesMagazine for a chance to win prizes ranging from free dinner to free clothing.

For interviews with all four live acts performing turn to P8.

GOODNIGHT LENIN RETURN TO THEIR KITCHEN ROOTS TO WARM UP FOR ONE-OFF CHURCH GIG Birmingham folk outfit Goodnight Lenin cooked up an acoustic storm as they performed to a tight-knit crowd in a pub kitchen. The band, who first came to people’s attention by posting a series of videos of themselves playing in their own kitchen on YouTube last year, took over Soul Food Project’s kitchen at the Hare & Hounds for a special performance to round off Soul Food Sunday on November 14, after keeping diners musically fed with a DJ set throughout the afternoon. It has been something of a whirlwind year for the Northfield band who only formed a year ago and have since released their debut single Crook in the Creek on Static Caravan and headlined the Lunar Stage at this year’s Moseley Folk Festival. They will round off the year in style with perhaps their most unique gig to date this month, when they showcase their haunting harmonies

at St Paul’s Church in the Jewellery Quarter. The concert on December 4 will also feature a performance from fellow folk hopefuls Boat to Row. Tickets are £5 in advance from www.moseleyfolk.co.uk or £8 on the door. Photo by Richard Shakespeare.

FIRST DETAILS REVEALED FOR BIGGEST EVER OFF THE CUFF FESTIVAL Dates have been confirmed for next year’s OFF THE CUFF Festival, which will return to The Flapper in Birmingham in July. The festival will take place across the canalside venue in Kingston Row from July 22-24 and is set to be the biggest yet, with some exciting announcements due to be made over the coming weeks. It has also been revealed that American Deep Southinspired concept kitchen SOUL FOOD PROJECT will provide food for festival-goers throughout the weekend to help inject some extra spice into proceedings. 4

This year’s sell-out event saw performances from the likes of Chapel Club, Pulled Apart By Horses and &U&I. A limited numbers of advance weekend tickets will go on sale next month for £15 from www.wegottickets.com. One of the highlights of this year’s festival, &U&I, made up of former hardcore heroes Blakfish, will also headline a special Christmas show at the same venue on December, alongside TROPICS (featuring ex members of Fair Oh’s, Cold Pumas, Male Bonding and Meet Me In St Louis) and other special guests. Adv tickets £7. Brum Notes Magazine

Architects have been appointed to oversee a big money facelift for Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena. A feasibility study is underway to conceive a new image for the city centre arena to turn it into “a striking state-ofthe-art venue.” International architecture firm Broadway Malyan has been chosen to spearhead the new design for the NIA, which marks 20 years since opening next year and is expected to sell naming rights to partially fund the work. The moves follow the £29 million overhaul of sister venue the LG Arena at the NEC last year. Forget January sales at the Bullring, work off your hangover with some hair of the dog at The Flapper in Kingston Row. The city centre pub and music venue is hosting a bar sale on New Year’s Day, with 20 per cent of draft beers all day on January 1 and DJs until 1am.

COMPETITION

IN BRIEF

Birmingham’s finest leftfield, soul and funk promotion team LEFTFOOT has been celebrating its 10th anniversary with a series of special events throughout 2010. And the celebrations will be rounded off in style with an appearance from Motown legends Martha Reeves & the Vandellas later this month. Leftfoot has teamed up with Mean Fiddler to bring their iconic RnB sound to The Library at the HMV Institute in Digbeth on December 17. They became only the second all girl group in history to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, having boasted legendary hits such as Dancing in the Street, Jimmy Mack and Nowhere to Run during their peak years in the 1960s and early 1970s. Tickets to see the legends still going strong cost £18.50 in advance, but we have one pair to give away if you can answer the following simple question. Question: From which American city, know as ‘Motor City’ did the group originate? Send your entry to info@brumnotes.com by December 14 for a chance to win. Winners will be notified by email on December 15.

Coventry’s finest THE SPECIALS will go back on the road next autumn for a major European and UK tour. The 2 tone heroes will also play a two night stint at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall to kick off the UK leg of their tour on October 11 and 12, as well as staging a grand homecoming show at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on October 29, before the final night of the tour at London’s Alexandra Palace on November 3.

TWISTED CHRISTMAS AT VIVID GALLERY For many people, the idea of a creepy Christmas is your boss coming on to you next to the photocopier at the office party. But a Birmingham art gallery will be bringing new meaning to the words this month. Nightmare Before Christmas will play host to a warped line up of winter horror, creepy electronica and spectral pop at VIvid in Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, on December 18, from 8.30pm until late. With DJ sets from COLOUR, Lärmlicht, John Napier, and Dan Le Trap, brave party-goers can expect a heady mix of jagged, dark, and drowsy sounds combined with intense, psychedelic, and ethereal video footage. The party marks the end of Vivid’s Language season which runs from December 3-18 with work and performance from artist Aura Satz, whose work explores ghostly presence and illusions through performance and sound.

Malcolm Le Grice. Berlin Horse (1970). Image courtesy of the artist.

Tickets for Nightmare Before Christmas cost £5 and are available in advance from www.theticketsellers.co.uk. To get you in the mood, The Princes of Risborough have compiled Jugend Horror Mix, a free playlist available for download at www.jugendklub.co.uk. November 2010

Brum Notes Magazine

MJ COLE From classical piano to making club tracks with Wiley, versatility has always been a key component of producer, DJ and musician MJ Cole’s armoury. But now the remix master has turned his skills to teaching after leading a masterclass of budding music tech experts in how to create great mash-ups. We caught up with London-born remixer to share some of his top tips on breathing new life into other people’s work. “I don’t every really like people coming to my studio and watching me work,” admits Matt, aka MJ Cole. “But I don’t mind if it’s a workshop.” Lucky then, as MJ is heading up a series of ‘remix masterclass’ workshops across the country as part of Rizla Re-Crafted, a touring club night and talent search contest looking for bedroom remixes of a new Mystery Jets track. The tour made its first stop in Birmingham last month, with MJ joining Simian Mobile Disco, Friendly Fires and Mystery Jets behind the decks at The Rainbow Warehouse, but not before leading a workshop in front of a standing-room only crowd of wannabe remixers at the Hare & Hounds. “I’m more comfortable being up on stage with a laptop than being on stage talking about stuff. But it is nice in a way to get a chance to chat about it and what I do. “Most people I talk to about technical stuff, their eyes just start to glaze over. “DJing is totally different, I’ll always be a studio person. I like DJing but if I had to choose one, it would be the studio. But the way everything works in this industry is cyclical, you have to do DJing to be able to do remixing and put records out.” MJ Cole’s top tips: Trust your instincts. “Listening to a bit of music and appreciating it, there’s no words to describe anything, it just gets you going, it makes you move, or your head nods, it’s that kind of carnal instinct association with the music. “You can tell someone is right in their groove and what they are doing really makes connections with people, even just choice beats over an a capella.” Attention to detail. “I’m generally into the last thing I’ve done for two days, then get a bit impatient and have to get back in the studio and take it home and listen on my headphones to make notes on it, go straight in the studio in the November 2010

REMIX TIPS FROM A REMIX MASTER

Photo by Conor Fitzhenry

morning, I’m very obsessive in that kind of way for a period of time.” You don’t have so spend a fortune to learn the ropes. “There’s lots of different stuff out there and almost all of it does the same thing, so just use whatever you feel comfortable with. “There’s no particular right or wrong way to do it. “There’s lots of low end programmes and freeware which can get you started, whether it’s Garageband or an iPhone app, anything that can get you used to the feel of it and the basics involved.” Genre is irrelevant. “I come from a classical background, I was a classical pianist and got a musical scholarship at the Royal College of Music. The remixing started when I was making records, people want you to remix their songs. I made a load of records in my mum’s house in my bedroom.” Don’t be a slave to vinyl. “I play Ableton live. It’s a pain in the arse to play vinyl. I’m a studio boy really, I use faders and knobs on the Ableton so I still get my feel from that, I don’t feel I need vinyl to be able to have that.” Find out what works. “I don’t really plan sets, I may get my laptop open and synch up a few vibes, but overall it’s audio fishing - you try something and it is goes well you go down that route.” Follow your nose. “It’s all about the groove, follow what you want to do. I don’t think changing anything or trying to be things you think you should be works, just follow your nose.”

THE TRAP(PING)S OF CHRISTMAS Brum Notes Magazine and Purity Brewing Co are teaming up with record label and DIY fashion house SPEECH FEWAPY RECORDS this month to bring you a night of festive fun and frolics absolutely free. So in the interests of a squabble-free Christmas, we thought we’d introduce you to the family. First up it’s headliners and label founders, THE TRAPS.

You disappeared off the live scene for a while and have re-emerged with new material. How do you feel about the new stuff and how’s it been received? Any major changes in your approach? Yeah, we’re dead chuffed with the new stuff and it’s gone down well so far. The feedback we’ve had has been really positive and everyone’s favourite song seems to be different. It wasn’t easy to withdraw ourselves from the live circuit and start writing from a blank page. But, it has been a big learning experience for us, particularly with our songwriting and how we use dynamics. It’s a few years since you migrated to Birmingham, how’s the music scene evolved in that time? To be honest it’s changed quite a lot from when we first started playing. We’ve seen a lot of acts come and go and come back again. It’s certainly been through a few different guises which is completely natural and ultimately a healthy situation. The best thing about the music scene in Birmingham is its diversity, no one sounds the same. You can lump some bands into the same bracket, but everyone is trying to do their own thing and not ride on anyone else’s back.

Brum Notes Magazine

And what does the future have in store for both

Who else should we watch out for on the

The Traps and Speech Fewapy Records?

Birmingham musical landscape at the moment?

We are in the process of pre-production for our

Savant are being talked up quite a bit at

album which will be released at some point in

the moment. Everyone speaks with envious

2011. It’s exciting for us as we’ve never prepared

amazement about their musical proficiency and

for and recorded an album, it’s a completely

you just need to check out the radio show they

different game to doing EPs or singles. You can’t

did for Speech Fewapy to realise how much

just chuck a bunch of songs together, it needs to

knowledge they have considering they’re still

have the right atmosphere and consistency.

at school. To filtrate the music scene as they

Speech Fewapy Records has had a great year

have done in the past six months is a great

I must say. The releases of the Greg Bird &

achievement and I’m sure amongst many others,

Flamingo Flame and Tom Peel EPs, the expansion

we’ll be keeping a close eye on them next year.

of out YOU NEED SPEECH FEWAPY t-shirt line,

Also Of Pandas and People looked pretty exciting

two new radio shows, our gigs, DJ sets...so we just

when I saw them last so am really looking forward

want to continue building on this year. We’ve got

to seeing and hearing more from them.

some amazing plans already lined up for 2011. What do you want for Xmas? What can the uninitiated expect on Dec 17?

For a sinkhole to appear underneath the X

A sweaty looking band which will make your body

Factor studio, swallowing the audience, judges,

move and leave you humming the tunes for weeks

contestants, production crew and sponsors just

and weeks afterwards.

when the winner is about to be announced.

November 2010

Tom Peel If you’ve never seen TOM PEEL before then December 17 could be something of an eye-opener. Without giving too much away, imagine a man, that man there on the left in fact, with a giant, retro tape recorder strapped to his chest, dancing, singing, playing a ukulele and telling stories. Actually, don’t bother trying to imagine, just turn up to the Christmas Party at The Victoria and see for yourself.

It’s fair to say you have a unique style on stage, how did that develop? I started with open mic stuff in Brum. My set was pretty straightforward but I’d throw in a silly little song for a laugh which developed into full blown stupidity with the tape deck. I love it for its cumbersomeness and the silence of the audience at the end when the track fades out just allows for me to fill it with whatever inane nonsense I like, which is pretty much my favourite part these days.

where the phrase comes from, ‘old school’. Either that or eBay and charity shops. I picked up an old slide projector that I need to incorporate into a show somehow. Ever heard of The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players? They sing along to old slide films, I’ve not seen it myself but my brother said it was really good. It all seems more folky and genuine than buying new shiny things. I’d really like an old video recorder, a big one that fits on your shoulder. That’d be amazing.

Any major influences in your music and live performances? Langhorn Slim influenced a major part of my style, in his recordings he’d get quite shouty and all manic and panicky which I took on a bit, it’s more toned down though now.

What do you want for Christmas? For Christmas I have asked for a book called Christ and the Caesars. It’s about some of the New Testament references to the Roman occupation that you’d otherwise miss if you didn’t have the background knowledge of the Caesars. Riveting ay?

You love your retro gadgets, where do you find them all? I work in a school and they are gold mines of old school equipment. Literally, that might even be

What’s the worst present you’ve ever had? Paul Simon’s latest album, it’s rubbish. He needs to strip back his songs and do a Johnny Cashstyle comeback but he’s too much of an ego.

Brum Notes Magazine

Having co-fronted one of Birmingham’s best loved cult bands of recent years in Sunset Cinema Club, played with another in 35 Seconds and overseen parties and club nights across the city, GREG BIRD is a familiar face to many a Brummie music lover. With his latest solo project revealing a stripped-down freedom to his sound, is it time for one of Birmingham’s brightest talents to take flight?

After years in bands, what’s it like breaking out on your own? When it comes to the creative process it’s like a holiday. I’ve always written songs in my head before touching any instruments, so being able to just sit down on my own and finish them the way I imagined with no compromise is great. What I’m doing now doesn’t actually sound much different to the versions of SCC songs I had in my head before going into rehearsals, it was only John’s drums and Dom’s guitars that made them into those heavy, post-punk jams. Self-producing my music has been an eye-opener too; coupled with all the DJing I’ve been up to since the summer, I’m now looking into producing dance singles and remixes, which isn’t something I would have considered before. On the downside there’s no sibling rivalry to push me along, and playing live is very strange, in a non-sweaty, quieter-drinks-after-soundcheck sort of way. I do miss that funny feeling of being on a school-trip, especially with the out-of-town/tour gigs. But I’ve still got a stack of songs in my head that I haven’t recorded yet, so there’ll be more of this stuff before I go back to the more lively, democratic world of bands. You’ve been hailed as a major influence by several other top notch Brum bands, how does that feel? And why aren’t you living in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills? I’m not sure I know what people mean when they say that. It’s very flattering, but I don’t hear any local bands who sound like SCC or even 35 Seconds. I guess I do hear more local bands trying to break the mould, mixing styles and doing their own thing, which is f’ing great and the way it should be. But I wouldn’t be arrogant enough to assume it took SCC to help them figure that out. And although we never ‘made it’, for what success we did have - especially on a local scale - I feel very, very privileged. It’s very heart-warming to be able to play to a full room of sweaty Brummies after a long absence. I feel like SCC are a smallscale Ned’s Atomic Dustbin in that respect, and that’s actually more than a lot of bands can expect these days. As for my Hollywood mansion, there’s still time... November 2010

GREG BIRD & FLAMINGO FLAME What’s your take on music in the Midlands at the moment? Well, what I love about the Midlands is that if you took the 10 most successful bands of all time from this area, not one of them would sound alike. The same is applicable to the better local acts. If you ask me, the only thing stopping Brum from becoming the hot-bed of UK music is the bands themselves. If they all stopped moving to London and stopped saying shit like “we’re from near Stratford” in interviews then maybe the UK music press would start taking this place seriously. People only think Manchester is this amazing cultural mecca because people from Manchester won’t shut up about it. There’s certainly a richer tapestry of different scenes and unsigned acts here in Brum than anywhere else I’ve been, and the venues are getting better and better too. All this place needs is a little love from it’s own people. What’s the worst present you’ve ever had? A porn DVD, wrapped in pages from a porn mag. What can we expect on December 17? New Jack Swing... Goth... Annoying falsetto... And a cover version. Photos of The Traps, Tom Peel and Greg Bird by Rob Tromans. Photos taken at, and clothes supplied by, Cow, Digbeth. 11

CAJOLE CAJOLE

Joining the Speech Fewapy Records family for the night will be Wolverhampton’s finest emerging art-pop punkers CAJOLE CAJOLE. And what they lack in Christmas jumpers, they more than make up for with brain-burying hooks, punchy, math-rock rhythms and grin-inducing energy. Made up of brothers Ryan and Noel Malcolm with pal Zack Robinson, let’s hope they save the sibling squabbles for Christmas Day.

So, for those that don’t know you, how would you describe Cajole Cajole? I think our songs are overall feel good. We’re not very technical musicians and apparently it makes our songs unpredictable. We just tell people we’re highly imaginative but really, we don’t know all the ‘rules’ to songwriting. There’s an arty, math-rock edge to your sound, who would you cite as influences? We never try and emulate a band or a style because we’ve only ever wanted to be reputable. We do listen to a lot of music but the list would be endless. If I was to start naming bands, Tokyo Police Club’s latest album Champ is in mine and Zack’s car at the moment. Great band. You’ve notched up some good support slots so far, what’s been the highlight? Good Shoes with Is Tropical was probably the best. The guys came back to my brother’s house party and played out of tune piano with us. It was good fun I think...but I honestly can’t remember that much. I remember Gary from Is Tropical rolling around the chicken coop and that’s about it. Class night. Keep your eyes peeled for a cheeky remix from IT of our tune Havana Light. You’ll be the sole Wolvo representatives at the Xmas party - what do you make of the music scene in Wolverhampton at the moment? 12

Everyone thinks we’re from Birmingham because we play here way more than Wolves. Wolves is alright. Drum Mode (formerly Yelps) are from Wolves. They’re probably the coolest band in England. We love the scene in Brum though. So many amazing bands. Savant, Carpels, Of Pandas And People, Sunset Cinema Club, (silver) souvenirs, Tantrums. There’s too much good music here and the scene’s really eclectic. That’s why ourselves and bands like Ladyfortune, Your Biggest Fanclub, Galahads and PEACE all happily travel to Brum to play. What does 2011 hold in store for Cajole Cajole? We’re recording an album’s worth of material in March, so we’re working hard throughout Jan and Feb on new songs. We’re recording with Gavin Monaghan at Magic Garden again. He’s a legend so we can’t wait. These new songs are sounding pretty different to the songs we play now. I think we’re in a good creative place after our first year together. Cajole Cajole host their single launch party at Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Dec 10. The Traps, Cajole Cajole, Greg Bird & Flamingo Flame and Tom Peel all play live at the free Brum Notes and Speech Fewapy Christmas Party, at The Victoria, Birmingham, on Dec 17, 7.30pm-late. Brum Notes Magazine

November 2010

Brum Notes Magazine

November 2010

y z n e r f r e d e fe After spanning two decades with their own brand of stomping, alt-rock anthems, Feeder have elevated themselves towards the realms of rock royalty. So how do they keep winning friends and influencing people after all these years? Tom Pell talks to frontman Grant Nicholas to find out.

Chances are your own work Christmas party will consist mainly of lukewarm vol-au-vents, dancing the YMCA and attempting a Boris Becker-style fumble with Emma from admin in a broom cupboard. Not that there’s anything wrong with such an evening’s arrangements, but wouldn’t it be more fun if Feeder were there? Yep, thought so. So did Kerrang! Radio... New album Renegades, now their seventh top 20 release, marks a return to the heavier side for Feeder, who’ve spent the majority of the last decade soothing eardrums with alt-pop ballads and arm-swaying foot stompers. Kerrang! Radio duly noticed, and got in touch. We caught up with frontman and all-round music hero Grant Nicholas, who explained a bit more.

can you a release from an album nowadays anyway?” A lot, if your name’s Rhianna, apparently. But it’s a fair point. After 2003’s Comfort In Sound Grant’s favourite of Feeder’s releases - Feeder headlined a previous Kerrang! Radio party with support from Graham Coxon, The Fratellis and Fightstar. So they have previous, meaning it must have been good. This time round support comes from The Futureheads, Love Amongst Ruin, Deaf Havana and a gluttonous amount of your favourite Kerrang DJs. Tickets are £16 a pop for the festivities which will take place on December 9 at Birmingham’s 02 Academy. Just don’t expect an eggnog fuelled, ‘oh, cheers for the socks’ kind of Christmas experience.

As Grant suggests, it promises to be an energy“It’s nice to be asked,” he insists, modestly. fuelled evening for all concerned, both on stage “We’ve always had a connection with Kerrang! and off. For Feeder, stripping down their line-up [the magazine] right back from when we started does not mean they’ve stripped down their live with our first album, and they seem to be quite power. Quite the opposite in fact. And as for into our new record. I think it fits in more with their age, they’re Kerrang! than maybe determined to show our previous ones did - the last couple “We’re not a young band, but I feel we’ve got a they can still rock out anyway. lot of energy left. We wanted to go back to the with the kids.

“But Kerrang! Radio fans who got into Feeder when we first started.” “At one point we turned into a five is really diverse now, piece live, and whilst it was good, I feel we’d lost sometimes they play things that are really light, a bit of that energy,” explains the frontman. Razorlight and stuff. It’s not all just, ‘rock’. But they have embraced us a bit more on this new “We’re not a young band, but I feel we’ve got a album which is great, as it’s kind of where our lot of energy left. We wanted to go back to the roots are really. Kerrang! has obviously changed down the years, and we’ve made a lot of records fans who got into Feeder when we first started, when we were a bit heavier. That was how it in between, but they’ve always been there.” started, and we’re back to that now. It was nice to go back to the old team again. At the end of Though fear not, soft-rock fans, as the band the day Feeder is Feeder; it is what it is, and have kept aside certain songs with plans for a people either get it or they don’t. You can’t keep Renegades 2 album, hopefully released before everyone happy. I wish I could!” the end of the year. “We recorded a lot of songs for this album that we’ve kept back, songs that are perhaps a little more radio-friendly. But we wanted this record to be a rock record. Besides, how many singles 16

Book the morning of the December 10 off work boys and girls, as it looks like we’ll be waking up at midday in our clothes again. Brum Notes Magazine

Words by Tom Pell.

COMPETITION

Feeder headline the Kerrang! Radio Christmas Party at the O2 Academy, Birmingham, on December 9.

November 2010

WIN FIVE PAIRS OF TICKETS TO THE KERRANG! RADIO CHRISTMAS PARTY: FEATURING FEEDER, THE FUTUREHEADS, LOVE AMONGST RUIN & MORE

Kerrang! Radio is opening the doors to its office party this year and inviting some friends in high places to provide the entertainment. The Birmingham-based station takes over the O2 Academy on December 9, with live performances from Feeder, as well as Sunderland’s finest The Futureheads, rockers Love Amongst Ruin and rising stars Havana Bad. Plus, all your favourite Kerrang! Radio DJs will be taking to the decks throughout the night to keep the party going. Tickets for the night cost £16 but we’ve got five pairs to give away to lucky readers who can answer the following simple question: What FM frequency does Kerrang! Radio broadcast on in the West Midlands? Email your answer with name, age and contact details to info@brumnotes.com by December 7. Winners will be notified by email on December 8. Terms and conditions apply. 17

Brum Notes Magazine

November 2010

live KELE HMV Institute, Digbeth November 15 That Kele seems like a nice, genuine, unassuming bloke. He walks on stage wearing a t-shirt of his own design, a matching New Era cap and a smile almost as wide as the stage itself. But behind that smile was a man with a plan. A simple plan mind you, Kele was hell-bent on making sure every single person in the Institute’s Library room had the best time possible. Kicking off with Walk Tall, the clap-along drum beat and Kele’s crystal clear vocal in no way prepares you for the sub-bass onslaught about to be delivered. On The Lam delivers the second wave assault of the evening. Mixing up a smattering of house, ground-shaking dub and dirty drum breaks. As far as euphoric hands in the air music goes,

the whole set will take some beating. If Bloc Party were the subject of a technological science class, you imagine the results to be very similar to the direction Kele is now taking his band and his sound. As it happens Bloc Party weren’t mentioned once, although the remixed medley of The Prayer, Blue Light, and One More Chance gave an insight of what the aforementioned science experiment might be like. Some die-hard fans may be turning in their graves over what had been done to their beloved BP songs. But for every living, breathing and sweating soul in the Library, it was just another excuse to throw their hands in the air and dance around like they just don’t care. Words by Lee Hathaway Photo by Wayne Fox

PARAMORE LG Arena, Birmingham November 16 Don’t let the band’s young age, or the fact they’re fronted by a pin-up to thousands of adolescents fool you, American rockers Paramore are truly something to behold. Lead by the once flame-haired but still gorgeous sexpot that is Hayley Williams, the band are masters of their craft and experts in their chosen field. Since coming to people’s attention after first album All We Know Is Falling in 2005 they have managed to continue to knock out near-perfect pop/rock songs and produce winning albums, seemingly with ease. And, seeing them live is no different. Throughout a frenetic 70 minute set, which included tracks from all three of the band’s albums, they had the large crowd eating out of their hands. Opening with Ignorance, the set went from strength to strength with stand out songs including Emergency, That’s What You Get and newer material such as Playing God. Proving they’re not all distortion pedals and head-banging, or in an attempt to convey a more grown-up image, the band even went acoustic for a short part of the show. Turning out to be a surprise highlight, it revealed just why this band are so popular and shows that they are more than just one pretty face. Words by Ben Russell 20

Brum Notes Magazine

THE VACCINES HMV Institute, Digbeth November 12 For a band merely 10 gigs old, The Vaccines have a pretty impressive history. They’ve released the most talked about demo of 2010, nailed their slot on Later with Jools Holland, and tonight’s show is a sell out. The Vaccines have no Myspace page and post cryptic messages via their Facebook fan page – all that exists is a website offering free downloads of their demos including If You Wanna and Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra). As the interest has picked up, journalistic snooping has unveiled that they might not be the chancers we’d hoped. Singer Justin used to be more commonly known as singer-songwriter Jay Jay Pistolet, and guitarist Freddie is the brother of Tom from The Horrors. Not that this matters of course - it is a relief to see a guitar band riding

November 2010

the wave of hype once again. Having enjoyed If You Wanna regularly for the last couple of months, I had excitedly conjured up my own perception of The Vaccines. Expecting a raw sounding band with dodgy equipment, playing songs that were slightly under-rehearsed while instilling a feeling that something was going to go wrong within seconds, we were treated to a set laden with pop songs, meticulously played by a confident bunch of musicians who appear to have their future mapped out. The Vaccines are certainly a certainty; I just can’t seem to shake off the feeling that one of my bubbles has burst. Words by Jose Jones Photos by Sydnie

FOALS O2 Academy, Birmingham November 3 Come on Yannis, what would your mother say? You might fall and hurt yourself from up there. OK, perhaps it’s not quite deathdefying, but the Foals frontman yet again repeated his trademark, little-bit-dangerous party trick of abandoning the stage to clamber onto the balcony and mix it with the fans. Not once, but twice. Now that is brave. What’s also brave is the band’s decision to take their perfectly formed, Skins-generation art-rock in a new direction with their second album Total Life Forever, released earlier this year to critical acclaim but perhaps not the commercial success they should expect. But the album is a triumph and in the live arena its ethereal soundscapes take on a whole new energy. Never one to disappoint, the elf-like bundle of energy that is Yannis still leads the audience into outbreaks of hysteria with punchy, first album favourites such as Cassius and

Balloons getting early outings. But it is the shuddering beauty of the new material that really captivates tonight. What is clear is that not every Cassius-loving fan is thoroughly convinced by the lengthy, arty indulgences of tracks such as What Remains and Alabaster and while the band flit between shoe-gazing introspection and outpourings of emotion, they remain determined to take the audience with them. No track sums up the sheer, unassuming power of their new sound more than the excellently slow-burning Spanish Sahara, which bursts into a crescendo both on stage and off. Foals don’t need party tricks, they’ve proved themselves once again to be one of the country’s most captivating bands. Words by James Collins Photo by Daniel Norton

WE ARE SCIENTISTS HMV Institute, Digbeth November 16 Stealing drinks, Boys II Men, skullcaps, Subway, face-f*cking, periodic tables, cappuccinos, shit and a guy called Dave...Really that’s where this review should end. Kicking of their set with Rules Don’t Stop, We Are Scientists thrash through a set littered with their hits and also scattered with some great album tracks. Anyone who knows We are Scientists, knows that their gigs are more of a comedy show than a music gig. This night is no different with Keith and Chris both engaging in plenty of light hearted banter in between each song. Midway through the set they are joined on stage by the guitarist from support act Rewards for Impatience, which freed up Keith to move off the stage and into the crowd, much to its pleasure. All in all We Are Scientists don’t give a shit, they’re here to drink, play and have fun, possibly in that order. In all seriousness, they exude fun that is transcended into the audience at every performance. The tour promised to be “the sexiest, bloodiest, down-and-dirtiest carnival of ecstasy since, at the latest, Roman times.” 22

While none of us can say we were around in Roman times to corroborate that statement, it’s impossible to argue otherwise. A great night of music, comedy and fun, possibly the greatest since Roman times. Words and photo by Mark Salmon

Brum Notes Magazine

GORILLAZ NIA, Birmingham November 17 Making the jump from 2007’s holographic behind-the-screens tour to 2010’s eagerly anticipated Escape To The Plastic Beach all-star spectacular must have seemed like the right move on paper for Gorillaz, Damon Albarn’s musical supergroup project. Joined on stage at Birmingham’s NIA by a veritable pick n mix of musical talent, including Clash legends Mick Jones and Paul Simonon, soul singer Bobby Womack and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, the gig had all the makings of an unforgettable live experience. From the outset however, where a frustrated De La Soul – demoted to the support slot - struggled to make an impact over major sound problems, it was clear this was to be a night of nearly, almost and not quite. Flashes of brilliance did occur during the Gorillaz set, such as the glorious opening sequence of tracks featuring Murdoch then Snoop on the big screen, sweetly accompanied by a string quintet of female sailors, percussionists and backing band dressed in appropriate nautical garb. Working through the second album, with cameos from UK grime stars Kano and Bashy, members of the Syrian national orchestra, a shambolic Mark E Smith and rising Manc star Daly, the show settled into a music by numbers groove, with little interaction or real feeling despite an energetic Albarn playing the roles of conductor, frontman and MC in varyingly convincing measures. Crowd pleasers like Stylo, Superfast Jellyfish and an up tempo Dare from Demon Days featuring a disembodied junglist Shaun Ryder on film lifted the set and while there is no denying Gorillaz are aiming high with their ambitions to bring the worlds of music and visual art together via a collection of incredible talent, you can’t help feeling that live, Cap’n Albarn and crew are still somewhere between the devil and the deep blue sea. Words by Lyle Bignon

STORNOWAY HMV Institute, Digbeth November 2 It’s always refreshing to see a band refusing to rest on their laurels. Tonight Stornoway are among friends, hence the patience with which a lengthy delay is greeted. The delay, it turns out, was caused in no small part by the new array of instruments and accompaniments which the band have acquired in a concerted effort to delve their sound even further into the quirkier side of alt-folk. It’s been a successful year already for the Oxford band and it would have been an easy way to round off 2011 by transferring carbon copy renditions of the heart-warming melodies of debut album Beachcomber’s Windowsill to the stage for their final tour of the year. But that would be too easy. Stornoway are clearly a band who like a challenge. Their brand new theremin didn’t arrive in time, so scrap that idea, right? Nah, just grab a saw and a bow and play that instead. Found an old, retro television set fit for little else other than scrap? Well, you might as well turn that into a makeshift instrument. The TV sound effects in fact didn’t work too well, but it’s the thought that counts. Frontman Brian Biggs peddled his trademark self-deprecating persona to devastating effect, charming the audience with his awkward between-song banter, which included crowd-pleasing references to Birmingham’s canals and apologies for performing songs that weren’t good enough to make the album. Despite the experimental addition of some new instruments and toys, this was still a performance underpinned by joyous folk from a band determined to push forward while still playing to the crowd - as their teasing rendition of fan-favourite Zorbing proved to round off the evening. Words by James Collins

November 2010

Photo by Mark Salmon 23

Brum Notes Magazine

November 2010

CLUBS LIP

LAUNCH NIGHT, HMV INSTITUTE NOVEMBER 16

LIP! is a brand new weekly club night every Tuesday, taking place deep within the confines of the HMV Institute in Digbeth. It is the brainchild of Mazzy from Chicks Dig Jerks and Jonny Homo from Jocko Homo and promises to bring together DJs, promoters, designers, photographers and writers to create more than just your average Tuesday night out. Every week, LIP! will see the best in new and exciting live acts alongside an eclectic mix of DJs and artists to help Birmingham’s beautiful people blow away the early week blues, with a full throttle mix of post-punk disco, indie, soul, hip hop and underground classics in the Library and the Green Room.

Photos by Jack Snape 26

Crazy wit-rock due We Are Scientists even made the short trip from the stage after their own headline show for a stint behind the decks on the opening night and weren’t afraid to get up close and personal with the party-goers. Entry is £3/£2 with flyer before 11pm, £5 after/£4 NUS or with flyer/wristband, every Tuesday. Brum Notes Magazine

November 2010

Brum Notes Magazine

THE ADAM & EVE Bradford St, Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0JD DECEMBER LISTINGS:

Friday 3rd December: The Subhumans + Septic Psycho + Rotunda + The Banditos + The Nerks + (Velvet Underpants members’ new band). Early bird tickets @£5 available online at www.theticketsellers.co.uk. Saturday 4th: Vincent Flatts final drive. Sunday 5th: Silent Filter presents... Friday 10th: The Undercocks. New Wave and Punk Classics. Saturday 11th: Da Da Mouton Noir! Alternative punk/folk. Truly Unique! Thursday 16th: Silent Filter Presents… Friday 17th: BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND : AN AUDIENCE WITH MR. NICE aka HOWARD MARKS. We are delighted to welcome back Howard Marks on Friday 17th. We last saw Mr. Nice in the summer, since then he has had his film released starring Rhys Ifans. An intimate setting and thoroughly entertaining! Tickets are available online at www.theticketsellers. co.uk at £9. Saturday 18th: Pressure Drop ! Xmas Special hosted by Birmingham’s best fresh faced ska band Tempting Rosie! Sunday 19th: Open Xpress Xmas bonanza. Open poetry and acoustic afternoon, hosted by the infamous Big Bren. Tuesday 21st: The A&E Xmas Pool competition and killer fest ! £5 entry, free buffet and tunes ! 8pm start, all competitors welcome.

November 2010

Accommodation available, 7 newly decorated en-suite rooms only £20. Ring for details - 0121 693 1500. www.theadam.co.uk Wednesday 22nd: Black Heart Generator + friends. Free Entry. Thursday 23rd: Birmingham punk and ska promoters present the annual xmas Ska bash. Free Entry Friday 24th: Xmas Eve Funk fest . Live Djs spinning you into Christmas with the best Funk, Soul, raw Blues and rare grooves. Free Entry! Boxing Day: Beast Rave & Live bands! Free Entry ! Thursday 30th Dec: The Academy Morticians + Gorgeous + Intention. NEW YEARS EVE!: Cracked Actors & special guests tba. THE ALL NEW ADAM & EVE HAPPY HOUR !! MON-THURS 4PM-7.30PM CARLING, STRONGBOW AND CARLSBERG £2, FREE POOL! FRIDAY WARM UP - 4PM-9PM CARLING, STRONGBOW AND CARLSBERG £2, FREE FOOD, FREE POOL!

EVERY MONDAY IS BROKEN AMP, WEEKLY ACOUSTIC NIGHT BREAKING BIRMINGHAM’S BEST ACOUSTIC ACTS. Every Saturday from 2am is the Zombie Prom after party. Free entry and drinks promos: Carlsberg, Vs, glass of wine £1.50. Apple Sourz £1.

FOOD + DRINK

Perfect Christmas Dinner *

party snacks “For quick nibbles for a drinks party, make some spiced nuts,” says Wesley Pinnock, head chef at Cafe Ikon. “Toast a handful of peeled almonds, macadamias or peanuts - or a selection - in a dry frying pan until golden, then throw in a pinch of dried chilli flakes, a good pinch of sea salt and a dash of olive oil. “Cool slightly and serve – perfect with Christmas cocktails,” he adds. For Christmas Dinner with a touch of Spanish flair, Cafe Ikon is offering seasonal set menus for groups of eight or more. Call 0121 2483226 or visit www. ikon-gallery.co.uk 30

THE TURKEY

A day of lavish indulgence, a stressful inconvenience or another day in front of the telly. Christmas Day is many things to many people. But above all it’s an excuse for some great food and drink. Don’t let the pressure of cooking for friends and family put you off, we’ve enrolled some of Birmingham’s finest chefs, drinks experts and foodies to give you their top tips for Christmas Dinner with a flourish. “Christmas turkey is often a disappointment,” admits Tom Baker, director of Loaf, Birmingham’s leading cookery school and food-based social enterprise. “To ensure this year’s doesn’t end up tasteless and overcooked follow these simple rules. “Firstly head to a good local butcher and get yourself a great quality turkey - outdoor reared, fed on grass, and ideally organic. You’ll notice the difference, over 95 per cent of turkeys in this country live in even more cramped conditions than factory-farmed chicken. “Consider taking the bird apart - if you’re not feeding many, take the legs off (or ask your butcher to do it), and just roast the breasts on the remaining carcass. The breast meat needs far less cooking than the legs, so if you roast it as a whole bird, by the time the legs are cooked, the breast will be dry and tasteless. The legs will make you a great casserole or coq au vin. “Before cooking, prick the breast skin with a fork and rub in some sea salt and olive oil - this will help crisp up the skin. Preheat your oven to about 210C (gas mark 6) and cook the bird for 20 minutes, before turning the heat down to 180C (gas 4) for a further 1-2 hours depending on the size of the bird. Cook until the juices run clear, just. “Don’t stuff the bird either as by the time heat penetrates through to the stuffing, the breast will be overdone. “Finally rest the meat for at least 20 minutes before serving - this allows the meat fibres to settle down and the bird will remain moist and succulent.” Tom Baker is director of Loaf, a food-based social enterprise and cookery school in Birmingham. For details on classes visit www.loafonline.co.uk. Brum Notes Magazine

“When cooking a roast dinner, care must be taken on potatoes,” warns Carl Finn, head chef at the Kings Heath-based Soul Food Project. “Boil them too much and you’ll have mash and too little you’ll have pebbles that will struggle to roast well. “There are quite a few styles of potato that you can use for your roasties, according to Heston Blumenthal a rare Scottish spud comes tops, others insist on Maris Piper, I myself use King Edwards where possible. “Cooking roast potatoes is simple, if you stick to the basic rules.” 1. Once the potatoes are peeled, cut in to chunks no bigger than a golf ball. 2. Boil in cold water; always add salt, a tablespoon should do it. 3. Cook until soft all the way through, drain and leave for 10 minutes to let them dry out. 4. Pre heat your oil/fat/butter, with some garlic if you choose. 5. Don’t over-load the tray, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook at 200c turning every 25 minutes until golden brown. “Veg shouldn’t be the token healthy part on your roast dinner, even sprouts can come up trumps given a little TLC. Try these tips to add a little extra pizzazz.” - When your carrots (batons are best) are cooked, in a pan place a little butter, a tablespoon of olive oil and some lemon juice. When hot add your carrots, sauté them for two minutes, add salt and pepper to taste and serve - For the sprouts, in a pan sauté off some finely chopped shallots, some bacon or pancetta, a few tablespoons of dried fruit (apricots go well) and some chopped parsley; toss in this sweet mixture to help balance out the bitterness of the sprouts. Carl Finn is head chef at Soul Food Project, a concept kitchen inspired by America’s Deep South, based at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath. Christmas Party bookings are being taken for Sundays in December, email info@ soulfoodproject.co.uk for details.

cheese

“The basic ‘universal’ cheeseboard offers variety by aiming for five or six cheeses, including a hard cheese, a soft cheese, a goat’s cheese, a blue veined cheese and a washed rind cheese,” explains David Capeling from Capeling & Co Artisan Cheesemongers and Fine Foods in Kings Heath. “Each cheese will have a unique texture and flavour, and being distinct from one another, provide for a rounded, satisfying cheeseboard. In terms of selecting the individual cheeses, always make sure you taste them beforehand. While no-one is a better judge of your palate than yourself, if possible ask for the advice of the cheese-seller. “Many people fret over appropriate accompaniments unnecessarily; a single chutney or wine or flavoured November 2010

WINE

roasties & veg

Red Wine – Turkey being the meat of choice for many across Christmas, you’ll want a light to medium bodied red that won’t overwhelm the white meat. If you can afford it, good red Burgundy is king, but you won’t go far wrong with a New Zealand Pinot Noir. White Wine – You’ll want a white with a little bit of weight to stand up to the meat, so go for a creamy oaked Chardonnay or white Rioja. Sparkling – It’s that one time of year to over indulge, so Champagne is a must – Pol Roger is great value and knocks a lot of other non vintage fizz out of the water (plus it was Churchill’s favourite). Port – Your port choice will be based on your budget. Vintage is the best, but I really love the toffee, almond and baked fruit character of Tawny port. Plus, it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than Vintage. Sticky – Australia is producing some fantastic sticky wines at the moment and Muscat from Victoria’s Rutherglen region is great value and perfect with your Christmas pud.

Matt Beck, Soul Food Project

cracker selected to match one cheese is better than one which partially matches all of them. Ale is a fine accompaniment to many traditional English territorial cheeses – a good stout and a good cheddar are a nigh unbeatable combination. Seasonal fruits, also, make for both the cheapest, attractive and most elegant accompaniment of all.” Top three tips: 1. Don’t go overboard with the exotic cheeses. 2. For a small gathering, aim for about 100g per person, for larger gatherings reduce to 65-75g per person. 3. Unrefrigerate cheese at least an hour before serving, and keep covered with a very slightly damp cloth to preserve humidity. Capeling & Co, 35 York Rd, Kings Heath, 0121 443 3223 Turn over for Champagne cocktails...

drink of the month:

Champagne Cocktails “With Christmas nearly upon us, what better way to celebrate than with a nice bottle of bubbly?”, asks Matt Marriott, manager of Island Bar, Birmingham’s finest rock and roll cocktail joint. “When asked about sparkling wine, most people’s first thought will be of Champagne. This is certainly the most prestigious of all sparkling wines, and by law must be produced in the Champagne region in north east France. “These days there are a wide variety of different styles of sparkling wine available. Many of these are substantially cheaper than Champagne yet still of a very high quality. Two of the most popular are Cava and Prosecco which hail from Spain and Italy respectively. As with most forms of alcoholic beverage the cheapest versions won’t be very good at all, but mid-priced examples will easily stand up to, and often better, entry level champagnes at a substantially reduced cost. “Sparkling wines are very useful for making very elegant cocktails easily. They can also be used in place of soda in a great many cocktails to add that decadent twist. “One of my favourite Champagne cocktails is The Classic Champagne Cocktail, while the most famous sparkling wine cocktail to not use Champagne must be the Bellini. This is another very easy to make drink that will add that element of style to any occasion.”

The Classic Champagne Cocktail

Bellini

Ingredients:

Directions:

Champagne 10ml cognac 1 sugar cube Angostura bitters - Add a couple of drops of angostura bitters onto the sugar cube and place into a champagne flute. - Add the cognac then top with champagne.

20ml peach puree (ideally white peach but any variety will be fine) Chilled prosecco

- Add the puree to a Champagne flute. - Gently pour the prosecco down the side of the glass so it floats on the peach. - Peach puree is readily available off the shelf these days, but to make it yourself simply add the flesh of a couple of peaches to a blender and switch it on. Be sure to leave out the skin and pit. If you have a sweet tooth feel free to add a little sugar too. If the puree is too thick a splash of apple juice works wonders to thin it out.

Brum Notes Magazine

November 2010

TRAVEL While an estimated two million visitors will be descending on Birmingham’s own Frankfurt Christmas Market throughout the holiday season, there is still plenty of time to enjoy a late festive break to sup on mulled wine and shop for presents away from the Midlands. We take a look at the best of the rest of the UK’s Christmas attractions, as well as one a little further afield. Edinburgh’s Christmas (pictured below) Mound Precinct and East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh, Nov 25 - Jan 4 The Scottish capital comes alive for the festive season with a traditional German Christmas market featuring unique handmade gifts and a brand new ‘Highland Village’ Christmas market offering food, jewellery, clothing, crafts, and much more from all over Scotland. If the parades, fireworks, fairy lights, and winter wonderland aren’t enough to put you in the Christmas spirit, try a mug of warm mulled wine, whisky toddy, or Gluhwein. You’ll also find traditional German fayre as well as Scottish favourites and continental cuisine from great local eateries.

Belfast Christmas Market (pictured above) City Hall Gardens, Belfast, Nov 20 - Dec 19

Belfast’s historic City Hall and gardens provide a suitable backdrop for the annual Christmas Alpine Village. Located in the heart of the city centre, you will have plenty of access to the area’s best shops, restaurants, and pubs. Getting there is easy, as the market is set up right along the city’s central bus link and taxi transport hub. Catch some great live music at Lavery’s Irish bar or treat yourself at one of the traditional German bratwurst and Gluhwein stalls. For a quick break from Birmingham, budget flights are available, with bmibaby offering one-way flights for £9.99 during December. Swansea Market & Waterfront Winterland Oxford St/Princess Way and the Waterfront, Swansea, Nov 19 - Dec 19 Having kicked off in style with a huge Christmas parade, the Christmas market runs until Dec 19, offering a variety of locally sourced craft items, gifts and food stalls, entwined with the city’s regular markets, while the famous Mumbles hosts its own Christmas Festival Market on Dec 11. At the Waterfront Winterland, located in Museum Park, you will find ice skating, a funfair, a giant observation wheel, and plenty of food and drink, running into the new year.

Brum Notes Magazine

Christmas Love Market Covent Garden, London, Nov 11 - Jan 3

London is not short of Christmas markets or attractions. There’s the mania of the huge Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, boasting fairground rides, a circus, observation wheel and the capital’s biggest ice rink, with a German market nestled amongst it all; or simply the late rush of Christmas shopping with the West End crowds or around the famed boutiques and markets in the trendier haunts of north London. But for a more intimate touch on a romantic festive getaway, try Covent Garden’s Love Market, featuring a unique, interactive Christmas tree, activated by kisses. Visitors are invited to pucker up under the mistletoe, which activates thousands of lights on the 50ft tree and around the piazza. Food markets, reindeer petting and other festive treats run alongside. Chiltern Railways offers fares to the capital from £5, meaning a pre-Christmas shopping jaunt doesn’t have to blow the budget. York International Christmas Fayre Parliament St, York, Dec 1-19

Promising “a festive market with a global edge,” liveried chefs descend on the historic surrounds of York city centre to bring a unique continental atmosphere to the festivities. Amble through the Christmas trees and sample a range of flavours from around the world, while browsing for gifts among the stalls and the city centre’s trendy shops. The famed Festival of Angels on Dec 12 will also see the unique streets transformed into a winter wonderland of ice sculptures, stalls, al fresco dining, street entertainment, live ice carving and guaranteed ‘snow’ showers. Frankfurt Christmas Market (pictured right) Frankfurt, Germany, Nov 24 - Dec 22 While Birmingham’s own Frankfurt market may be the biggest authentic market of its kind outside of the German-speaking world, for sheer authenticity you surely can’t beat the real thing. Birmingham’s twin city hosts its own annual festive affair nestled among the traditional timber-framed buildings, stretching from St Paul’s Square, through the Römerberg Old Town and to the banks of the River Main, with the historic homes and church providing a unique contrast to the financial powerhouse’s modern skyline. Expect the scent of baked apples, roasted nuts, homemade gingerbread and piping hot apple wine, while Germany’s tallest Christmas tree is a must-visit photo opportunity. Historic steam boat trips offer another winter treat, while away from the historic markets themselves, Frankfurt offers all the luxury shopping and nightlife which you would expect from a major city, all with an understated German charm. November 2010

Both Lufthansa and Flybe operate direct routes between Birmingham and Frankfurt with prices starting at £43 one way. 35

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f f a t s

d e t n wa

Brum Notes Magazine and its partner organisations are looking for STREET TEAM staff to carry out a range of roles, with regular daytime, evening and weekend work. Generous hourly rate and regular shifts available. For details email info@brumnotes. com putting â&#x20AC;&#x153;Street Team Jobsâ&#x20AC;? as the subject header. All applicants must be aged 18+ November 2010

Brum Notes Magazine

November 2010

WHAT’S ON

GIGS

The big hitters are in town this month, with the seemingly unstoppable Kings of Leon wooing crowds of thousands at the NIA in Birmingham on December 16 and 17, while alternative rock heroes Arcade Fire (pictured) cement their own rise to stardom with an appearance at the LG Arena on December 8. Local heroes The Traps, Cajole Cajole, Greg Bird and Tom Peel give you an early Christmas present in the shape of a free gig at the Brum Notes and Speech Fewapy Christmas Party, taking over the first floor of The Victoria on December 17, while Birmingham Promoters celebrate the festive season with a swagger by bringing lad rock locals The Twang to the HMV Institute, December 20. Legendary Jamaican mento pioneers The Jolly Boys put their own unique stamp on modern classics at the same venue on December 16, while Roy Wood is surely duty bound to perform that song at the Robin 2 on the 15th.

CLUBBING

Get ready to party like it’s 1999, as Moschino Hoe Versace Hottie returns to The Victoria in Birmingham city centre on December 1 to pump out its unique mix of 90s hip hop and RnB to kick off the month in style. Expect basslines lower than a snake’s belly to reverberate through Kings Heath when the Sumo Soundsystem end of year bash hits the Hare & Hounds on December 4, with a staple diet of DnB and jungle. Keeping it festive with a sprinkling of weird, the Nightmare Before Christmas heads for Vivid gallery in Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, on December 18, mixing art and music for an ethereal combo of creepy electronica and woozy video footage. Needless to say, you’ll be spoiled for choice on New Year’s Eve, with every venue worth its salt doing its best to prove that the night is not necessarily a big disappointment. Splash the cash for superstar DJs with more than a hint of a commercial edge - this year Mark Ronson, Annie Mac and more - at Gatecrasher on Broad St; techno heads will be well served with Eclectricity at the HMV Institute; the Winter Gathering at the Rainbow Warehouse is bound to ooze cool; indie kids can get their kicks at Propaganda’s Mardi Grasinspired Carnival Spectacular at the O2 Academy. Chicks Dig Jerks will be bringing their own understated swagger to the Hare & Hounds, while a combined ticket for both Island and The Victoria continues to look like one of the best value options around. Rebelling against the ‘pack-em-in’ superclub mentality, Brummie ravers Bigger Than Barry will instead be avoiding the clubs and taking over The Old Crown pub in Digbeth instead, setting up camp in the car park with chill-out zones inside the historic boozer.

COMEDY

Aggressive Aussie Brendon Burns (pictured left) brings his typically titled new show Y’know Love n God n Metaphysics n Shit to The Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton on Dec 7 to showcase the talent and unique stage presence that bagged him the top comedy prize at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2007. Those looking for laughs rather than long queues and crammed bars on New Year’s Eve will also be well served at The Glee Club for the NYE Best In Live Stand-Up night, compered by local favourite Andy Robinson. Television favourites galore are also infiltrating arena stages throughout the month, including Tim Minchin at the NIA on Dec 9, John Bishop at the Civic Hall on Dec 10 and 11 and Frankie Boyle at the NIA on Dec 12. 40

Brum Notes Magazine

KEY TO LISTINGS: M = LIVE MUSIC CN = CLUB NIGHT C = COMEDY

VENUE DIRECTORY BIRMINGHAM: O2 Academy, Horsefair, Bristol St B1, 0844 4772000; HMV Institute, High St, Digbeth B5, 0844 2485037; NIA, King Edwards Rd B1, 0121 7804141; LG Arena, NEC, Solihull B40, 0121 7804141; The Flapper, Kingston Row B1, 0121 2362421; The Victoria, John Bright St B1, 0121 6339439; Sound Bar, Corporation St B4, 0121 2362220; Hare & Hounds, High St, Kings Heath B14, 0121 4442081; The Actress & Bishop, Ludgate Hill B3, 0121 2367426; The Sunflower Lounge, Smallbrook Queensway B5, 0121 6327656; Symphony Hall, Broad St B1, 0121 7803333; Town Hall, Victoria Sq B3, 0121 7803333; Kitchen Garden Cafe, York Road, Kings Heath B14, 0121 4434725; Alexandra Theatre, Station St B1, 0844 8472302; Bulls Head, St Marys Row, Moseley B13, 0121 2567777; Island Bar, Suffolk St B1, 0121 6325296; The Jam House, St Pauls Sq B3, 0121 2003030; The Asylum, Hampton St, Hockley B19, 0121 2331109; The Rainbow, High St, Digbeth B12, 0121 7728174; Adam & Eve, Bradford St, Digbeth B12, 0121 6931500; Poppyred, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0121 6871200; The Yardbird, Paradise Place B3, 0121 2122524; The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0871 4720400; MAC, Cannon Hill Park B12, 0121 4463232; Scruffy Murphys, The Priory Queensway B4, 0121 2362035; The Wagon & Horses, Adderley Street, Digbeth B9, 0121 772 1403; WOLVERHAMPTON: Civic Hall/Wulfrun Hall, North St WV1, 01902 552122; ; The Slade Rooms, Broad St WV1, 01902 552122; Alchemy Bar, North St WV1, 01902 711998; Robin 2, Mount Pleasant, Bilston WV14, 01902 401211; Newhampton Arts Centre, Dunkley St WV1, 01902 572090; WEST BROMWICH: The Public, New St B70, 0121 5337161; COVENTRY: Kasbah, Primrose Hill St, CV1, 024 76554473; Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, CV4, 024 76524524. M M M M M M CN CN C

Wednesday, Dec 1 Groucutt & Haynes + Andy Richards Johnny Foreigner

Bilston

The Flapper

Birmingham

Alexandra Theatre O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Thirty Seconds To Mars Charlie & The Martyrs + The Stacks Moschino Hoes & Versace Hottie Full Moon

NIA

Birmingham

Bulls Head

Moseley

The Victoria

Birmingham

HMV Institute

Digbeth

John Bishop

Symphony Hall Wulfrun Hall

Birmingham

Diamond Head

The Temple @ HMV Institute The Asylum

Pendulum

NIA

Birmingham

Peter Andre

LG Arena

Birmingham

UFO

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Meat Feast

The Rainbow

Digbeth

Saw Doctors The Sword

Mark Watson

Thursday, Dec 2 Blitz Kids

M M M M M

M Robin 2

Birmingham

Wolves

Birmingham

C C

M M M M M M

November 2010

Want your gig or club night listed in our monthly guide? Send details to: info@brumnotes.com. All details correct at time of going to press. Check with venues before setting out. While every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of listings, Brum Notes Magazine will not be held liable for any errors or losses incurred from errors which may materialise.

The Honeycomb Club featuring 360, Alternative Dubstep Orchestra + World DMC Champion DJ Switch Traditional Song Session Roller Revolution Roller Disco Phil Nichol + Andy Robinson + Sean Collins Weird Al Yankovic

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Kitchen Garden Cafe The Tower Ballroom The Glee Club

Kings Heath

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Dan Antopolski

The Slade Rooms, Broad Street

Wolves

Friday, Dec 3 Nine Below Zero

Robin 2

Bilston

Aiden

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Kano

The Temple @ HMV Institute Scruffy Murphys LG Arena

Birmingham

Sound Bar

Birmingham

The Library @ HMV Institute

Birmingham

Obsidian Rain + Western Sand Scissor Sisters The Arcadian Kicks + (Silver) Souvenirs + The Carpels + Pandas & People The Herbaliser

Edgbaston Birmingham

Birmingham Birmingham

M M M M M M M M CN CN CN CN

M M M M M M M

The Flapper

Birmingham

Vinny & The Curse (EP launch) Superevolver

The Victoria

Birmingham

Kasbah

Coventry

Socio Suki

Plug

DIgbeth

Vault of Eagles

The Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds

Digbeth

Wolves

Reef

The Slade Rooms, Broad Street Wulfrun Hall

Supersonic Vague

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

Mannequin

The Rainbow

Digbeth

Silent Noize Xmas Party The Drum present Freedom Masses meet Channel One Sound System Phil Nichol + Andy Robinson + Rob Rouse + Chris Ramsey Saturday, Dec 4 Athlete

The Rainbow & Cellar Door Hare & Hounds

Digbeth

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Echo And The Bunnymen Goodnight Lenin + Boat to Row John Cooper Clarke

O2 Academy

Birmingham

St Pauls Church The Temple @ HMV Institute O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

LG Arena

Birmingham

Scruffy Murphys Kasbah

Birmingham

The Wagon & Horses The Rainbow

Digbeth

M M M M CN

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

Jane Weaver + Emma Tricca + Poppy Tibbetts My Great Affliction

Johnny Flynn And The Sussex Wit Status Quo Winterfylleth

M M

Losers

M M

On Screen Heroes

M M CN CN CN CN CN CN

CN CN

The Ripps

Lord Bishop Rocks

Vincent Flatts Final Drive Gallows The Human League ACE FACE presents In The Club Ferry Corsten & guests Flashback - The Ultimate Reunion Adventures in Stereo feat Panic Bigger Than Barry 4th Birthday Face with Marc Roberts (Fabric)

The Glee Club

Kings Heath

CN CN CN C

Wolves

Kings Heath

Birmingham

M M M M M M M M

Birmingham

Coventry

Wolves

Island Bar

Birmingham

Gatecrasher

Wolves

Birmingham

Plug

Digbeth

PANIC! After Party (Starts 2am) Raver Baby 18

Plug

DIgbeth

Air

Digbeth

Sumo Soundsystem end of year DnB/ Jungle special VIVA BRAZIL! Live Samba Party Phil Nichol + Andy Robinson + Rob Rouse + Chris Ramsey Sunday, Dec 5 Frost

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Hare & Hounds The Glee Club

Kings Heath

Robin 2

Bilston

Emarosa

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Meat Loaf

LG Arena

Birmingham

Villagers

Birmingham

Meat Hook + Rotunda

The Library @ HMV Institute The Old Wharf

Silent Filter presents

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

LIVE BOX WITH MORLEY HAYDEN HAINES Mike Peters

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

The Slade Rooms, Broad Street Wulfrun Hall

Wolves

Symphony Hall The Glee Club

Birmingham

NIA

Birmingham

Felix Dexter

Monday, Dec 6 Belle & Sebastian

Digbeth

The Slade Rooms, Broad Street The Civic Hall

Kanyini

M M M M M M M M

The Q Club

Birmingham

HMV Institute

Digbeth

Space 2

Digbeth

M CN

The Rainbow

Digbeth

Birmingham Conservatoireâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Night of the Unexpected Bullet For My Valentine Rogue States

Birmingham

Digbeth

Wolves

Birmingham

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Roky Erickson

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

The 10-04s

Kasbah

Coventry

You Me At Six

The Civic Hall

Wolves

Loaded

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

Tuesday, Dec 7 Argent

Robin 2

Bilston

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Dar Williams

O2 Academy

Birmingham

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Disturbed + Papa Roach Electric Six

NIA

Birmingham

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

JLS

LG Arena

Birmingham

The Xcerts

Kasbah

Coventry

SPEAK UP: SCROOBIUS PIP (SPOKEN WORD) You Me At Six

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

The Civic Hall

Wolves

Burnt Out Punk DJ

Scruffy Murphys HMV Institute

Birmingham

LIP

Digbeth

Brum Notes Magazine

The Slade Rooms, Broad Street

Wolves

Wednesday, Dec 8 The Lambrettas

Robin 2

Bilston

Arcade Fire

LG Arena

Birmingham

Last Days of Humanity Volbeat

Scruffy Murphys O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

You Say Party!

The Flapper

Birmingham

ASM (A STATE OF MIND) + BOY C Eat Y’Self Pretty

Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Kings Heath

Hawkwind

Wulfrun Hall

Wolves

Full Moon

HMV Institute

Digbeth

HMV Institute

Birmingham

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Angelos Epithemiou & Friends Christmas Show Gary Delaney + Ian Stone Tim Minchin

Thursday, Dec 9 Diamanthian

M M M M M M M M CN C C

Brendon Burns

M M

Dreadzone

Steve Conte

The Kerrang Xmas Party with Feeder + Love Amongst Ruin + The Futureheads The Crooked Empire

M M

Ronnie Spector

Scruffy Murphys O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

The Library @ HMV Institute The Temple @ HMV Institute O2 Academy

Birmingham

Birmingham Birmingham

Kings Heath

Tom Stade + Ian Stone Friday, Dec 10 Airbourne

The Glee Club

Birmingham

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Amy Can Fly

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Faithless

NIA

Birmingham

Hatebreed

The Library @ HMV Institute Kasbah

Birmingham

The Wagon & Horses

Digbeth

Plug

DIgbeth

Martyn Joseph

The Crookes

CN C

Desi-Licious

Birmingham

Digbeth

NIA

Hare & Hounds St Columba’s Church Hall The Slade Rooms, Broad Street Newhampton Arts Centre Gatecrasher

Moseley Village Band

Moseley

The Rainbow

The Moulettes

M M M M

Birmingham

Charly Coombes & The New Breed Cracked Actors + China Shop Bull + Big Stone Culture Jackpike + The Highly Charged Supercocks + Hood Fifties

November 2010

M M M

The Undercocks

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

Danny Vaughn

JBs (Dudley)

Dudley

Scott Matthews

Wolves

M4TP - Music For The People Eddie Thoenick

The Slade Rooms, Broad Street The Victoria

CN CN C C M M M

Digbeth

Gary Delaney + Tom Stade + Ian Stone + Craig Campbell John Bishop

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Civic Hall

Wolves

Saturday, Dec 11 Asia

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Asking Alexandria

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Bury The Archive

Birmingham

Madness Mona

The Flapper

Birmingham

The Heartbreaks

Birmingham

M M M

The Small Fakers

The Temple @ HMV Institute Sound Bar

Deadmau5

Ricoh Arena

Coventry

Runrig

Coventry

M M M

The Book Club

Warwick Arts Centre Kasbah

Da Da Mouton Noir

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

Ignorance Is This

Digbeth

Jerm2 + Marquis + Pascal Wray + Spears & Tiger Lips VELVET TEXAS CANNONBALL + IGNORAMUSS + TIM LOWE + FILTHY HABITS + STINKY WIZZLETEAT Seth Lakeman

The Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Wulfrun Hall

Wolves

Atomic Jam Presents Drumcode Atta Girl Xmas Party

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Island Bar

Birmingham

Atomic Jam & Drum Code Face with Hector + Adam Shelton Fatman D’s Birthday Bash Gary Delaney + Tom Stade + Ian Stone + Craig Campbell John Bishop

HMV Institute

Digbeth

The Rainbow

DIgbeth

Space 2

Digbeth

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Civic Hall

Wolves

Robin 2

Bilston

The Library @ HMV Institute O2 Academy

Birmingham

Scruffy Murphys

Birmingham

M CN CN CN CN

Coventry

Digbeth

The Rainbow

M M M

Wolves

Birmingham

The Rainbow

Mannequin

Scruffy Murphys O2 Academy

Moseley

Wolves

Birmingham

CN C C M M M M

Sunday, Dec 12 Touchstone Bonobo James Morgue Orgy

Birmingham

Coventry

Kings Heath

Birmingham

M M M M C C C M M M M M

M M M M M CN C

M M M M M M CN C C C M M

Summerlin + Kiss Corona The Corsair + Black Fangs + Bluebeat Arkestra Trembling Bells

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Crimbopalooza

The Victoria

Birmingham

The Book Club

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Quireboys

Wulfrun Hall

Wolves

Frankie Boyle

NIA

Birmingham

High Tease by The Ministry of Burlesque The XXXX Comedy Cabaret Monday, Dec 13 Room 94

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

End of Term/Xmas Dubmatic Dub Steve Williams + Mark Olver + Paul Tonkinson Friday, Dec 17 Dopamine

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Rumer

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Sonic Boom Six

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

White Moor

Kasbah

Coventry

The View

The Slade Rooms, Broad Street

Wolves

Scruffy Murphys O2 Academy

Birmingham

M M

Birmingham

NIA

Birmingham

Wolves

Pixie Lott

The Slade Rooms, Broad Street The Civic Hall

LIP

HMV Institute

Digbeth

Steve Williams + Mark Olver + Paul Tonkinson Wednesday, Dec 15 Roy Wood

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Robin 2

Bilston

Mezzotonic + Fly By Nature + The Stacks Simply Red

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

NIA

Birmingham

Freelance Mourners

Kings Heath

Monday Sessions

Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

The Pretty Reckless

Wulfrun Hall

Wolves

Full Moon

HMV Institute

Digbeth

Steve Williams + Mark Olver + Paul Tonkinson Hiya & Higher

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Public

Kevin Bridges

The Civic Hall

West Bromwich Wolves

Tuesday, Dec 14 Crazy On Manic Street Preachers Simply Red Julian Cope

Thursday, Dec 16 Kings Of Leon Rotunda

M M M

M CN CN C

M M M

Scruffy Murphys O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Digbeth Digbeth

M M

Renegade Messiah

The Temple @ HMV Institute The Rainbow

Silent Filter presents

Adam & Eve

Birmingham

Birmingham Birmingham

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Orange Goblin

The Library @ HMV Institute The Asylum

Birmingham

Riding Giants

The Temple @ HMV Institute The Victoria

Birmingham

Kasbah

Coventry

The Wagon & Horses Plug

Digbeth

Hare & Hounds Hare & Hounds The Victoria

Kings Heath

The Rainbow

Digbeth

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

The Civic Hall

Wolves

The Temple @ HMV Institute The Flapper

Birmingham

Jools Holland & His Rhythm And Blues Orchestra Silent Filter & Midlands Music Maniacs Xmas Party Sophie Ellis-Bextor

NIA

Birmingham

Sound Bar

Birmingham

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

The Pogues

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Terracotta Army + The Arcadian Kicks Dirtbox Disco

Kasbah

Coventry

The Wagon & Horses Plug

Digbeth

Plug

DIgbeth

The Traps, Cajole Cajole, Greg Bird & Flamingo Flame, Tom Peel Finish Him! Citric City Xmas Party Scruffy Somethings + Bolshie + The Nock FRIENDLY FIRE BAND Skeletons + Kitty Hands + Ben Calvert Brum Notes & Speech Fewapy Records Xmas Party Mannequin

Digbeth

NIA

Saturday, Dec 18 Black Market Empire

M M

Kings Heath

O2 Academy 3

Kings Heath

Kings Of Leon

Steve Williams + Mark Olver + Paul Tonkinson + Dave Fulton An Audience with Mr Nice, aka Howard Marks Jimmy Carr

Birmingham

Skin

Moseley

M M M

NIA

M M

The Jolly Boys

Wolves

Hare & Hounds Hare & Hounds Temple @ HMV Institute The Glee Club

Gundogs

PANIC! After Party (Starts 2am) PWS Promotions present Future Fest

Birmingham

DIgbeth

Kings Heath Birmingham

Birmingham

DIgbeth

Brum Notes Magazine

M M CN CN CN CN CN CN CN C

M M M M M M M M C M M M M M M M CN C

M M M

Tempting Rosie

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

Blaze Bayley

Jbs (Dudley)

Dudley

Skank

Subway City

Birmingham

Sweat

The Victoria

Birmingham

Adventures in Stereo feat Panic Face Xmas Party

HMV Institute

Digbeth

The Rainbow

DIgbeth

Nightmare Before Christmas Uber 6th Birthday

Vivid

Digbeth

The Custard Factory Hare & Hounds

Digbeth Kings Heath

The Glee Club

Birmingham

M M M

SOUL:UTION CALIBRE & MARCUS INTALEX Steve Williams + Mark Olver + Paul Tonkinson + Dave Fulton Sunday, Dec 19 Steve Harley

M CN C

M M

Robin 2

Bilston

Karnivool

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Stars Of The Search Party Open Xpress Xmas Bonanze PWS Promotions present Future Fest THE BEAT

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

Plug

DIgbeth

Hare & Hounds Prince of Wales The Slade Rooms, Broad Street The Civic Hall

Kings Heath

Moseley

CN CN

Traditional Music Session One Million Suns Ken Dodd

Wolves Wolves

CN C

M CN CN

Monday, Dec 20 Fugative

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

The Twang

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Robin 2

Bilston

CN CN CN

Tuesday, Dec 21 Mike Sanchez & The Portions JLS

LG Arena

Birmingham

Octane Ok

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

The Bootleg Beatles

NIA

Birmingham

Empire + Deception’s Pocket + Perrin LIP

The Rainbow

Digbeth

HMV Institute

Digbeth

Dave Johns + Paul Tonkinson + Paul Thorne Wednesday, Dec 22 Black Heart Generator Decades + Go The Length + Members Only Deluka + Old School Tie + Battle For Prague

The Glee Club

Birmingham

November 2010

M M

VS + Found My Niche + Pandas & People Ginger & The Wildhearts Full Moon

Bulls Head

Moseley

Wulfrun Hall

Wolves

HMV Institute

Digbeth

Dave Johns + Paul Tonkinson + Paul Thorne Thursday, Dec 23 Fred Zeppelin

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Robin 2

Bilston

Thunderhorse + Arceye Paper Shapes + Venkman + Eat Y'Self Pretty Seven Daze

Scruffy Murphys HMV Institute

Birmingham

The Rainbow

Digbeth

Xmas Ska Bash

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

SUNSET CINEMA Club+ VICTORIES AT SEA + BRYN BOWEN AND THE SHALFONTS HEDUCATION & PLANET BREAKS XMAS PARTY Dave Johns + Paul Tonkinson + Paul Thorne Friday, Dec 24 MISTY’S BIG ADVENTURE Xmas Eve Funk Fest

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds Adam & Eve

Kings Heath

XMAS EVE PARTY

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Sunday, Dec 26 Beast Rave

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

Chicks Dig Jerks

The Victoria

Birmingham

Cocoon Boxing Day Special with Sven Vath Trevor Nelson

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

Face Boxing Day Party Xmas Cracka

The Rainbow

DIgbeth

The Custard Factory Hare & Hounds

Digbeth

The Library @ HMV Institute Plug

Birmingham

Robin 2

Bilston

HMV Institute

DIgbeth

HMV Institute

Digbeth

HMV Institute

Digbeth

TEENAGE KICKS (INDIE, PUNK & NEW WAVE) Monday, Dec 27 Bad Manners Leon Goffe + The Ganders + The Coyotes Tuesday, Dec 28 Quill

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

The Rainbow

Digbeth

M M

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

PWS Promotions present LIP

Wednesday, Dec 29 Full Moon

DIgbeth

Digbeth

Kings Heath

DIgbeth

M CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN

C Adam & Eve

Digbeth

Adam & Eve

Digbeth

HMV Institute

Birmingham

CN CN

Scruffy Murphys The Victoria/ Island O2 Academy

Birmingham

The Q Club

Birmingham

Zombie Club

Sound Bar

Birmingham

NYE Spectacular with Mark Ronson, Annie Mac + more NYE: Winter Gathering One Nation & Raveology NYE PARTY WITH CHICKS DIG JERKS + HABIT VS REVERB Blast Off & Cheeky Monkey New Years Eve Special

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

The Rainbow Warehouse The Custard Factory Hare & Hounds

Digbeth

The Civic Hall

Wolves

NYE PARTY WITH ISLAND BAR Propaganda New Years Eve Carnival Spectacular Q-Fest NYE

COMPETITION

Thursday, Dec 30 The Academy Morticians + Gorgeous + Intention Friday, Dec 31 Cracked Actors + special guests Eclectricity New Years Eve NYE Free Party

Andy Robinson + Charlie Baker + Josh Widdicombe Saturday, Jan 1 January Bar Sale with DJs until 1am The Awakening NYD

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Flapper

Birmingham

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

Volume NYE After Party Below New Year’s Day Daytime

The Q Club

Birmingham

The Rainbow

Digbeth

Birmingham Birmingham

Digbeth Kings Heath

To get your January gigs, comedy events or club nights included in this guide send details to info@brumnotes. com by December 15. If you are interested in advertising in Brum Notes Magazine please call 0121 224 7363 or email advertising@ brumnotes.com. Prices start from just £50.

WIN THREE PAIRS OF TICKETS TO THE GATECRASHER NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECTACULAR FEATURING MARK RONSON, ANNIE MAC, HED KANDI & MUCH MORE

Brum Notes Magazine has teamed up with Gatecrasher Birmingham to give you the chance to see in the New Year in style with 3,000 fellow clubbers and a host of stellar names. The iconic superclub in Broad Street will be filling its five club rooms with revellers getting down to the sounds of some of the biggest names in electronic music with uber-producer Mark Ronson and radio DJ taste-maker Annie Mac laying down the soundtrack alongside the likes of Sidney Samson, Jaymo and Andy George, Oliver Lang and the Hed Kandi team. You can also expect a mind-blowing concoction of light shows, lasers and visual effects to see off 2010 with a bang. Tickets for the night cost £35 but we’ve got three pairs to give away to lucky readers who can answer the following simple question: What is the name of Mark Ronson’s latest studio album, released earlier this year? Email your answer with name, age and contact details to info@brumnotes.com by December 20. Winners will be notified by email on December 21. Terms and conditions apply. Brum Notes Magazine

November 2010

Brum Notes Magazine