March 2013
www.brumnotes.com music and lifestyle for the west midlands
FOALS
free
Firing on all cylinders
ALSO INSIDE: Bastille Theme Park Ulrich Schnauss Bombers Youth Man and more… PLUS: Talking beer and football with Guillem Balague / Winter-spring fashion from the streets of Birmingham / News on the West Midlands’ best festivals / And your complete guide to what’s on in March March 2013
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Weds 27th Mar • £16 adv
Steve Harris British Lion + Zico Chain
Fri 29th Mar • £16.50 adv 6pm - 10pm
Fri 8th Mar • £25 adv 6.30pm - 10.30pm
My Bloody Valentine Fri 8th Mar • £10 adv
6.30pm - 10pm Rescheduled show • original tickets valid
The Rollin’ Clones Sat 9th Mar • £7 adv
The One Twos + The Two N Eights + The British Kicks + Open to Fire + Radio Dancers
Tues 12th Mar
Bullet For My Valentine + Halestorm
Weds 13th Mar • £14 adv
Saint Vitus + Mos Generator + Alunah
Thurs 14th Mar • £15 adv
The Alarm
Everclear + Blame
+ Danny Mahon and The Tea Street Band
Fri 22nd Mar • £8 adv 6pm - 10pm
Sat 30th Mar • £23.50 adv
Eels
An Evening With The Black Crowes No Support - on stage 8pm
Tues 26th Mar Weds 27th Mar
Emeli Sande
Sun 5th May
Mon 11th Mar • £10 adv
Kverlertak
The Twang & Cast
Claudia Brucken
(co-headline tour)
The Lost Are Found Tour
Sun 12th May • £18.50 adv
Fri 5th Apr • £14 adv
Thurs 16th May • £6 adv
Ill Niño & Shadows Fall
+ The Ocean’s Eyes
5.30pm - 10pm
+ Magnacult
Mon 8th Apr • £13 adv
Emmure
+ Chelsea Grin + Obey The Brave + Attila + Buried in Verona
6pm - 11pm
Weds 17th Apr • £18.50 adv
Weds 13th Mar • £18.50 adv Rescheduled show • original tickets valid
Sun 12th May Mon 13th May
Thurs 14th Mar • £17.50 adv Rescheduled show • original tickets valid
Space
+ Chris Wallbank And The Cowards + Rhesus
Lana Del Rey
Sat 16th Mar • £5 adv
City Lightz
CrashDiet & Jettblack + Fallen Mafia + Hell in the Club + Sleekstain
Fri 26th Apr • £11 adv
Minus The Bear
Room 94 Sat 13th Apr • £7 adv
Fearless Vampire Killers + Fort Hope
Fri 19th Apr • £10 adv
Fri 22nd Mar • £7 adv
Celebrating 30 Years of The Smiths Singles and B-Sides
A$AP Rocky
Fri 7th June • £10 adv 6pm - 10pm
Toro Y Moi
6pm - 10pm
Thurs 15th Aug • £30 adv 6pm - 10pm
The B52’s
Pout At The Devil
Rescheduled show • original tickets valid
Jake Bugg
The Toy Dolls
Sun 1st Dec • £11 adv
Sat 30th Mar • £5 adv
Left For Red & Left Unscarred
Tues 17th Dec • £26 adv
+ Adust + Enemo-J + Akrya
Revelations: The Mission & Fields Of The Nephilim
Weds 3rd Apr • £8.50 adv
Bluey Robinson
Sat 21st Dec • £22.50 adv
Sleigh The UK 2013 The Wonder Stuff Pop Will Eat Itself Jesus Jones
Missing Andy 6.30pm - 10pm
The Smyths
Tues 23rd Apr • £7.50 adv
Frankie Cocozza
+ Beholder + Bloodshot Dawn + Under Blackened Skies
The Doors Alive
+ Despite My Deepest Fear
Sat 20th Apr • £10 adv
Scar Symmetry
Mon 4th Nov • £17.50 adv
With One Last Breath & Adept
Europe’s No. 1 Tribute to 80’s Hair Metal and Classic Rock + Our Dystopia
Thurs 28th Mar • £10 adv
Thurs 25th Apr • £10 adv
6pm - 10pm
+ Chasing Skylines + Crossfire + Mercians
Follow You Home
Mon 28th Oct Tues 29th Oct • £17.50 adv
+ Echo & The Bunnymen
Fri 12th Apr • £6 adv
Thurs 23rd May • £17.50 adv
6pm - 10pm
James
Ourzone Found Tour
Weds 17th Apr • £7 adv
6.30pm - 10.30pm
Sun 24th Mar • £10 adv / £20 VIP
Thurs 25th Apr • £36 adv
6.30pm - 10pm
The Specials
Janet Devlin
Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls
Mon 8th Apr • £7 adv
Sun 17th Mar • £7 adv
Tues 21st May • £35 adv Weds 22nd May • £35 adv
Fri 19th Apr • £33.50 adv
Sat 20th Apr
Next Big Thing Competition - Semi Final 1
Sun 14th Apr • £8 adv
Tues 17th Sept • £8.50 adv
Counting Crows
Sun 7th Apr • £6 adv
+ Jimmy Davis + The Underclass + Quarry + Bodhi Tree
We Are Lost Boys
The Feeling
Weds 24th Apr • £18.50 adv
Mon 25th Mar • £33.50 adv
Dan Reed Band
French Montan a & The Tweark Team
8pm - 1am • over 18s only
Sat 23rd Mar • £5 adv
ft. Ghost + Gojira + The Defiled + Hawk Eyes
6.30pm - 10pm
+ Chris Trapper
Athlete
Willy Moon Jägermeister Music Tour
Fri 8th Mar • £14 adv
Colin Hay
Sun 31st Mar • £30 adv
McFly
Over 18s only
(seated show)
Sat 11th May • £17.50 adv
Weds 20th Mar • £10 adv
Inspiral Carpets
Thurs 2nd May • £20 adv
Propaganda ft. Rascals (Live)
‘Ones To Watch’ Showcase
Thurs 21st Mar • £18.50 adv
+ Superfood
Alt-J
10.30pm - 3.30am • over 18s only
Sat 13th Apr • £10 adv
The Heavy
Peace
Fri 29th Mar • £5 adv
Sat 16th Mar • £23 adv
The Stranglers
Sat 27th Apr • £8 adv
Fri 5th Apr • £5 adv 6pm - 10pm
Dumb
+ Wide Eyed + Youth Man + The Scribers
Patent Pending + Erik Chandler (of Bowling For Soup)
Bleed From Within + Heart of a Coward
Mon 29th Apr • £7.50 adv
Parlour Flames
Fri 3rd May • £10 adv 6pm - 10pm
Old Man Markley Weds 8th May • £7 adv
Dick Valentine
Weds 29th May • £9 adv
Rescheduled show • original tickets valid
Dizraeli & The Small Gods
Sat 22nd June • £7 adv
Orange
Sat 6th July • £8 adv
Stereosonics
(Stereophonics Tribute Band)
16-18 Horsefair, Bristol St, Birmingham, B1 1DB 2
Doors 7.00pm unless stated • Venue box office opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-4pm, Sat 11am-4pm • No booking fee on cash transactions Notes Magazine ticketweb.co.uk • seetickets.com • gigantic.com •Brum ticketmaster.co.uk
CONTENTS
Miles Kane on stage at the NME Awards Tour 2013. Read the review on P22. Photo by Andy Hughes. Brum Notes Magazine Unit 12 The Bond 180-182 Fazeley Street Digbeth Birmingham B5 5SE info@brumnotes.com 0121 224 7363 Advertising 0121 224 7363 advertising@brumnotes.com Distribution StickupMedia! 0121 224 7364 Editor: Chris Moriarty Contributors Words: David Vincent, Tom Pell, Amy Sumner, Lauren Cox, Lyle Bignon, Matthew Osborne, Joe Whitehouse, Lorraine Teare, Ivy Photiou Pictures: Andy Hughes, Emily Baker, Lee Allen, Ali Horton Style editor: Jade Sukiya jade@brumnotes.com Design: Adam Williams, Henry Parker, Andy Aitken Connect Twitter: @BrumNotesMag Facebook: www.facebook.com/ BrumNotesMagazine Online: www.brumnotes.com
Regulars News 4-5 Competitions 5 Hotlist 9 Live Reviews 22-23 Style 24-25 Food & Drink 26 What’s On Guide 28-30 Music and Features Sport: Guillem Balague 6 Fresh Talent: Cold Fields 8 Bombers 10 Youth Man 11 Ulrich Schnauss 12 Theme Park 15 Bastille 18-19 Foals 20-21
All content Š 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. March 2013
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birmingham to host first fundraising international fashion week The first annual Birmingham International Fashion Week takes place this month, in aid of children’s charity UNICEF. The event is said to be inspired by fashion weeks in cities like Los Angeles, Rio, San Antonio, New York, and London, and has been designed as a platform to showcase international and local talent. A selection of high profile fashion shows will be held showcasing emerging British and international designers, luxurious haute couture, and iconic masterpieces from the world’s leading fashion houses. The week will culminate in The Exhibition, a twoday catwalk show held at Millennium Point on March 9 and 10. Ticket-holders will also enjoy luxury shopping, auctions, seminars with industry speakers, celebrities, live music and DJ sets. Organisers will donate 50 per cent of ticket sales to UNICEF. Visit www.bhmfashionweek.com for ticket information.
line-up announced for now we are weekender festival
theatre fever hits the midlands
Allo Darlin’, Darren Hayman, Kid Canaveral and Birmingham favourites Johnny Foreigner will headline Now We Are Weekender, which returns to the West Midlands this May. The weekend music festival takes place at The Public arts centre in West Bromwich over the bank holiday weekend of May 25 and 26, and follows the success of the inaugural event last year. Curated by London-based promoters Funny Looking Cat, it specialises in quirky indie pop, off-kilter rock and cutting edge new music. Allo Darlin’ are a ukulele-toting twee pop Aussie/Brit hybrid, Darren Hayman made his name as frontman of Hefner before going on to release a series of critically-acclaimed solo records, while Kid Canaveral are an energetic indie outfit from Scotland, whose forthcoming new album is set to earn them plenty of new admirers. Indie rockers Johnny Foreigner (pictured) will be well known to many local music fans and make a welcome appearance on the bill. Further bands announced so far include God Damn, Shatter Effect, Ace Bushy Striptease, The Traps, Bad for Lazarus, Thee Faction, Victoria and Jacob, Shana Tova, Bombergs, Hey You Guys, Cosines, Bombers, Eat Y’Self Pretty, Penny Orchids, August Actually, Milky Wimpshake, Two and Eights, The Joy of Sex, MJ Hibbett and Jenny Said Yes.
A two week celebration of theatre will highlight the best of West Midlands’ creativity this March. Theatre Fever runs from March 9 to 24 and includes more than 30 shows in Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull and Coventry, including eight special commissions from some of the region’s most exciting talent. It will include several new works, including Soul City Arts’ If Walls Could Speak at Mac, a story of how the Sparkbrook area of Birmingham has been a gateway into the city for generations of migrants. Pop-up performances will also take place in unusual locations, including a 15-minute play in the car park of Co-op in Stirchley, while theatre company Tin Box (pictured) will invite audiences to meet Maggie, a lady with many stories to tell, in pubs across the region. Full programme at www.theatrefever.co.uk.
Tickets are on sale now priced £23 for weekend tickets, £16.50 for day tickets and £10 for under 16s. Visit www.thepublic.com.
competition: win tickets to bass festival 2013 Launch party BASS Festival will announce its plans for this year with a launch party and live gig at the Hare & Hounds this month. The festival, curated by Punch, is one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of black music and arts and will take place at venues across Birmingham throughout June. The launch party on March 21 will give people the first chance to meet the artists and organisers and find out who is on the line-up for the festival, which this year has a theme of ‘Soul’. After the launch there will also be a live gig by nine-piece afro-funk, soul and old school band KonKoma. Tickets for the gig are £10adv but we have three pairs of tickets to give away plus a signed copy of the band’s latest album. To win, tell us: What was the theme of last year’s BASS Festival? Send your answer, name and age to competitions@brumnotes.com. For more information on BASS Festival 2013 visit www.punch-records.co.uk. 4
Brum Notes Magazine
one day outdoor music festival to return to birmingham this summer A one day music festival showcasing the best new and emerging talent will return to Birmingham in 2013, organisers have announced. One Beat Saturday will take place at Mac Birmingham on July 20, following the sell-out success of One Beat Sunday last summer. Folk collective Boat to Row (pictured) will headline this year’s event, while JAWS, who have gone on to earn national recognition since playing the inaugural event last year, will also perform. The event is curated by independent record label One Beat Records, taking over the outdoor amphitheatre at the arts centre in Cannon Hill Park, giving fans a chance to see the Midlands’ best and brightest new bands. A sell-out crowd turned out in the sunshine last July to enjoy performances from the likes of Swim Deep, The Carpels and Tempting Rosie. More acts for this year’s One Beat Saturday are set to be announced by Brum Notes over the coming weeks while there will also be a call-out for more new talent keen to take to the stage. As well as live music, there will also be DJ sets, street art and spoken word performances, alongside vintage clothing stalls, an outdoor bar and BBQ. Ticket details for One Beat Saturday will be announced shortly at www.macarts.co.uk. Flatpack Festival returns to Birmingham this month for 10 days of adventurous film, music and performances. The cutting edge showcase runs over two weekends for the first time, taking place from March 21 to 31. Events will take place in a range of venues including Birmingham Cathedral, Thinktank, the Great Western Arcade and the University of Birmingham’s Bramall Music Hall. In store will be rare restorations, 3D screenings and silent classics, as well as live music, talks from filmmakers and more. For more highlights stay tuned to www.brumnotes.com or visit www.flatpackfestival.org for the full programme.
March 2013
BRUM NOTES IS RECRUITING
We’re now recruiting for a number of paid and voluntary positions. For details visit www.brumnotes.com/jobs.
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Pep Talk Spanish football expert and cult hero Guillem Balague heads to a Birmingham sports bar this month to reveal the inside story on life alongside one of the game’s most decorated managers, Pep Guardiola. He talks tactics with Tom Pell.
Football aficionados take note – The Oracle is in town. Journalist, pundit, author and all-round legend Guillem Balague is touring his new book, the Pep Guardiola biography, Another Way of Winning.
and in Manchester, and already that was different. Manchester was in the shop, Liverpool was in a little bar with 80 people. And all of a sudden I find myself on a stool with a microphone, and I fill two hours. The amazing thing is that people will listen to it.
presentation. And I tell you what, everyone is going to come out knowing why they are so good at what they do, why it is so difficult, and everything else you’ve ever wondered about how a team like that moves.”
Barring Pep himself, Guillem’s perfect compere Following the success of A Season On The Brink, his book on Liverpool’s Champions “We laughed, we discovered things about each would be Barcelona hero and metronome, Xavi League winning 2004-05 season, Guillem other, and I realised that it was really enjoyable. Hernandez. “He’s a fantastic talker, and he’s focused his attention on the then-Barcelona So we moved to the next stage, which was a so comfortable with anything thrown his way,” manager and the time spent at the helm of bar in Glasgow, with 600 people, on a Friday explains Guillem. “He’s going to be a coach. It the Catalan giants where the former player- night. People were drinking while I was talking, would be almost like hearing Pep. Again, that’s turned-coach won an incredible 14 titles in four and just myself and [ex-Valencia and Barcelo- a little dream I’ve got, of doing something in years, with the help of Messrs Xavi, Iniesta, and na midfielder] Gaizka Mendieta. Again, it was Barcelona when the book comes out there.” another little fella called Lionel Messi. He was just two of us, talking for three hours now, with allowed unprecedented access to the famously people also drinking for three hours, and it still Due to the tour’s success, and the interest football fans have in picking the brains of people media-shy Guardiola and his family, the Barce- worked! The interest is amazing.” really in the know, the sky is the limit for this lona players themselves, and even managed to gain a cheeky foreword to the book written by Pako Ayestarán will be helping out on the night type of venture. none other than Manchester United boss Sir in Birmingham, and promised is a video presentation on Barcelona’s tactics and playing “I want to do it all year round, and this tour is Alex Ferguson. style. This coming from a man who was Rafa helping to find places where I can go again. So, Once the book was written and released, Guil- Benitez’s trusted assistant during successful Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Belfast, Dublin, lem’s next step was to embark on a tour of the stints at Valencia and Liverpool, it is exclusive Liverpool and Birmingham are some places I British Isles to spread the word, and generally insight not to be missed for budding tactical will go again next year. It’ll be the same format, talk some football. On March 7, Guillem visits genii. Perhaps the Midlands Football Combi- just me, a microphone and a guest.” Broad Street’s Walkabout for the Birmingham nation league will soon be seeing ‘false nines’ Copies of the book will be available to leg. In Stoke, he will be housed in the more and ‘pivotes’ galore on a Sunday morning… purchase on the night, and Guillem will be executive Waddington Suite at The Britannia Stadium. But varied venues aside, the job “I can explain stories about Pep that are in the around after the event to sign them. The whole of leading a ‘football discussion’ must vary book, and things that I didn’t want to put in the evening’s entertainment comes in at a measly book, but Pako can be more tactical,” continues 10 of your English pounds, and counts towards depending on the crowds present? Guillem. “So to take another step, in Birming- the deposit of his coming back next year, and “The fact that it’s eclectic makes it even more ham where we’re aiming for more than 200 bringing more of his mates. Bugger Xavi, if it’s exciting for me,” says Guillem. “The idea start- people, I told him I would love him to explain in Walkabout, bring fat Ronaldo. ed as a complement to the book, something how Barcelona works. He’s prepared this video that publishers do linking with the bookstore. Waterstones organised something in Liverpool, Guillem Balague is at Walkabout, Birmingham, on March 7. 6
Brum Notes Magazine
Box office 0121 345 0602 www.thsh.co.uk/jazzlines
Presented by
What’s on
JAZZ Part of the Jazzlines programme Neon Quartet
Marius Neset
Saturday 9 March 8pm mac Birmingham
Wednesday 1 May 8pm mac Birmingham
KonKoma
Roller Trio plus Colin Mills’ Mendeleev Quartet
£12*
£12*
Thursday 21 March 9pm The Hare and Hounds
Wednesday 29 May 8.30pm The Hare and Hounds
£10* Co-presented with Punch and Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival
£8*
World Service Project and Chris Young Sextet
Nikki Iles and The Printmakers
£8*
£12*
Friday 31 May 8pm mac Birmingham
Jose James and Sara Colman
Django Bates’ Belovèd
Photo © Nick White
Wednesday 27 March 8.30pm The Hare and Hounds
Sunday 14 April 8.45pm The Hare and Hounds
Friday 14 June 8pm CBSO Centre
£12* Co-presented with Leftfoot
Search ‘Town Hall Symphony Hall’ Supported by
March 2013
Jazzlines programme funded by
#Jazzlines
£14*
Search ‘Spotify:user:townhallsymphonyhall’
Town Hall renovation also funded by
*£2.50 fee per transaction will be charged on all bookings except purchases made in person at Town Hall or Symphony Hall Box office.
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Words by Tom Pell
Cold Fields
www.cold-fields.com
Categorising Birmingham’s ‘best kept secret’, Cold Fields, is becoming increasingly difficult. Indie, electronica, drum and bass – take your pick. First grade promotion and musical challenges galore are clear on the surface, yet coursing through the middle is frontman Chris Newey’s oh-so-distinctive Birmingham drawl, giving Cold Fields their niche. “It seems to be a rare thing but I’m not sure why?,” asks Chris. “Shouldn’t it come naturally? I’d feel like a twat if I heard a recording of myself impersonating Bon Jovi.” The Egg Shells EP will be the lads’ second release, available in March, and it strays away from last year’s Hands Like These EP towards a more electronic feel. Two remixes will feature, courtesy of Bristolian friends WRKS and KOUBEN, a producer who came across a Cold Fields CD in town and got in touch. “We like remixes because it’s a good way of reaching a wider audience,” Chris explains, “but it’s also just nice to hear someone else’s interpretation of your music.”
songs online and creating an EP launch. “We each felt like we had something to prove for various reasons,” he continues. “We had to do it properly or not at all. To fill the venue and have everyone singing along at our first ever show was the best start we could have hoped for.” Tried and tested, The Flapper will house them again this month for The Egg Shells EP launch party.
A promotional technique not to be sniffed at, Cold Fields played their first ever show last June at The Flapper after first releasing
Cold Fields are live at The Flapper on March 16, with support from Red Bulls, Bloom and The Rails.
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Brum Notes Magazine
HOTLIST
THE PLAYLIST The best new material from Birmingham and beyond.
friendly fire band Balsall Heat Renowned Birmingham reggae collective unveil their first feature album fronted by Lion Art and Tomlin Mystic, taking in heavy roots, ska and dancehall. Out now at friendlyfiremusic. bandcamp.com.
troumaca
ONES TO WATCH Spectres
jimmy davis
Bristol’s Howling Owl Records join forces with monthly Brum night Watchfires, uniting new talent from both cities, including Artrocker-championed noisepop outfit Spectres. Watch them: February 14, The Flapper, with Towns and more
Socially conscious hip hop MC celebrates the release of new single A Prayer with a home city show. Expect a refreshingly passionate live performance from the Ed Sheeran-backed rapper. Watch him: March 16, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham
FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT PARTY + KONKOMA LIVE (LIMITED GUEST PLACES AVAILABLE)
THURSDAY 21ST MARCH 6:30PM–8:00PM HARE & HOUNDS KINGS March 2013 HEATH
Virgin Island EP Hotly anticipated debut EP since signing to Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood label, immersed in tropical dub soundscapes, it’s a beaElectronic talent Lapalux, aka con of originality. Out now 25-year-old producer Stuart on iTunes and Amazon. Howard, heads out on an inprayers timate club tour in support of Bloodstains his debut album Nostalchic on Haunting epic indie taken Brainfeeder Records. from forthcoming EP. Watch him: March 13, Hare & prayersband.tumblr.com Hounds, Kings Heath.
lapalux
Punch invites you to its festival launch party on March 21st. Be the first to find out what is in this year’s festival, meet the artists and movers for BASS this June. This year’s theme of soul brings together a
Limited guest places are
wide range of exciting events in June. From Neo
available. To find out how to get
Soul to gospel to fresh events that get to the
tickets and for more information
heart and soul of our communities.
on BASS Festival visit www.punch-records.co.uk or
Following the launch you are invited to join us
contact 0121 224 7444 /
for a gig by Konkoma - An amazing 9 piece
info@punch-records.co.uk.
whose fusion of afro-funk, soul and old school highlife has been getting rave reviews.
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The first in our new series of Brum Notes Magazine Issue Launch Parties kicks off with an almighty bang this month, with live performances from Bombers, Youth Man, Skull TV and Ghosts of Dead Airplanes. We got the lowdown on all four bands to find out what we’ve let ourselves in for…
BOMBERS Bombers are an interesting bunch. If you’ve ever seen them play, you’ll know that they put on a completely frenetic live performance packed full of an absurd amount of hooks, while being driven forward at a frantic pace by a frontman who looks as though he couldn’t stand still even if he really tried. As it transpires, he can, and the others aren’t inept at it either so Amy Sumner caught up with them ahead of their headline slot at the first ever Brum Notes issue launch party. “We like to make people dance,” explains bassist Darren Mullen of the band’s ethos. “And we don’t like repeating ourselves,” confirms guitarist Matty Warke. “There are a lot of bands out there who repeat the same bits of music over and over – we like short riffs and short songs.” The majority of Bombers’ songs are under three minutes, and in truth a lot of them come in at under two. In an industry completely preoccupied with crafting songs for the radio, does that make it hard to fit in?
“Fitting in is unimportant,” Matty responds. “People try and make us fit in, especially to the punk genre but that’s not what we are,” he adds. “Right”, continues drummer Dave Owen, “I think if you look at it in the sense of putting a bill together, we don’t fit in with punk or indie bands – we’re different, odd.” Bombers certainly make a point of not wanting to conform, which right now in Birmingham is a breath of fresh air. Lead singer David Duell is one of the sharpest dressed gents in town and he has a vision for his band. “I don’t think we’re leftfield enough to be ‘leftfield’, but we are original – we write and play our own music and we don’t think too much about what it is. We play vague, twisted, psychedelic doom, but we’re not punk – we hate punk. People describe us as a punk band because our songs are fast-paced and mostly clock in at under three minutes – but that’s just a tempo.” Not a punk band then, it seems. Instead, Bombers present well-crafted tunes and lyrics which serve to spur them faster. Duell’s performance is almost spoken word and there
is definitely a hint of Art Brut beneath the noise. In terms of influences, “we essentially come at it from lots of different angles,” explains Darren. Matty likes The Strokes and The Rolling Stones, David listens to rockabilly and Jody Reynolds. And Darren? ”I was very into Liars...and then I got into the drum and bass scene. But the songs we make are not the songs we listen to. We make our music relatively independent of our influences.” It is important to move with the times though, no matter how independent a band is. “We’ve been making a lot of videos recently and getting people involved in our music that way,” continues Matty. “People are far more likely to click and watch a video than listen to a song on something like SoundCloud,” he adds. “Exactly, sharing a YouTube link on Facebook is great because people want to watch things,” says Darren. “It’s also handy for houseparties!” concludes Dave. Bombers latest split single Drawing/Buddy’s in a Cult has been doing very well indeed. Catching the attention of those at The Fly amongst others, it also has a brilliant video to accompany it. “Drawing is all about Matty’s riff,” says Dave. “I’m happy with the drums obviously but Matty’s riff is killer and it’s in my head the whole time that I’m playing the drums – I’m just waiting for the build up to that riff!” “Plus the lyrics are nice and cheery,” adds David. Drawing is indeed a killer tune, go check it out and press play on Crush while you’re at it. Bombers are a band made up of years of experience of being in other bands, and it’s that which makes this outfit something to contend with. Their live show is jam-packed full of rock and roll, the type which makes it clear that they know what they’re doing. But they’ve also got that delectable rough edge which makes them a band you’ll go back to. Our advice? Check Bombers out while you have the chance.
Bombers
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Split single Drawing/Buddy’s in a Cult is out now on Dead London Records on CD and download. Visit www.deadlondonrecords.com and www.bombersbombersbombers.com. Brum Notes Magazine
YOUTH MAN It’s a rainy day when Brum Notes meets Youth Man in between the imposing shadows of the Mailbox and the seemingly permanent work-in-progress that is New Street Station. After being accosted by one of Birmingham’s more aggressive homeless residents we head into The Victoria to figure out what makes them tick. Joe Whitehouse finds out. “We were best friends in high school but we didn't start playing together until 2012,” begins frontwoman Kaila Whyte. “I was in an acoustic group, Adam was in a deathcore band and Marcus was playing corporate soul gigs for money. None of us were particularly satisfied so we came to the logical conclusion that we should jam together. We enjoyed the sounds that came out so we kept it up. We used to jam in Adam's bedroom but we started to make too much noise so we had to relocate.” Anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing Youth Man live so far will be well aware of the passion that goes into their sets – even if it does have sometimes bloody consequences. “The Watchfires show [at The Flapper] where Kaila ended up with a gushing head-wound made its way onto YouTube,” says bassist Adam Haitof. “She ended up covered in blood and so did the stage. I'm not sure the venue were very happy about that. It was like an abattoir. “That was way back in May and it was our third gig. Our favourite gig thus far was the one we played at The Actress & Bishop a few weeks back. The crowd was hyped and the line-up was really cool. We played so hard at that gig that Marcus genuinely believed he was going to have a heart attack.”
Photo by Ali Horton
With the B-Town scene in full swing, it is refreshing to meet a young band who seem to have a different message. “We want to write stuff that just fucking rocks,” says drummer Marcus Perks. 'The shoegazey, California vibe thing is all well and good, but at the moment there isn't anyone trying to blow people's bollocks off. That's where we fit in. We're not trying to sound like anybody and people sometimes find us hard to categorise. Our music isn't dreamy. It's not music to make you feel like you're asleep. It's music to wake you the fuck up.”
BRUMNOTES MAGAZINE MARCH ISSUE LAUNCH PARTY
Download Youth Man’s EP, Youth at youthman.bandcamp.com
FEATURING:
Also on the bill: Skull TV present a perfectly balanced blend of atmosphere and noise. An outfit of only two, the drums which drive this pair forward are a force to be reckoned with and each live set is a performance. Utilising a vast array of pedals and effects, Skull TV leave the stage – and their audiences – reeling. Ghosts Of Dead Airplanes’ live show has gained a reputation for bringing something of the unpredictable to the party. Drawing influence from Pavement amongst others, they are energetic in the extreme and never fail to entertain. Their self-penned summary “hearts on sleeves, feet in mouth” should give you something to go on. AS The Brum Notes Magazine March Issue Launch Party takes place at the Bull’s Head, Moseley, on March 7, featuring Bombers, Skull TV, Youth Man and Ghosts of Dead Airplanes. Entry is just £3 on the door, with drinks promos on the night. March 2013
BOMBERS SKULL TV YOUTH MAN GHOSTS OF DEAD AIRPLANES Bull's Head, Moseley Thursday, March 7, 8pm Entry £3 on the door DRINKS PROMOS, GIVEAWAYS AND MORE
www.brumnotes.com 11
Changing Man Inspired by the likes of Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine and Chapterhouse, German musician and producer Ulrich Schnauss has spent much of the last decade melding the lush soundscapes of the so-called shoegaze movement to a rich electronic sound more associated with techno. Since the success of 2007’s Goodbye, he’s pursued a variety of projects that have ranged from remixes, EPs, adverts and games to several collaborations, including A Shoreline Dream and Underrated Silence, with Mark Peters of Engineers. But now he’s back under his own moniker with A Long Way To Fall, an album of electronic instrumentals that owe more to Vangelis and Tangerine Dream than the ‘dream pop’ of the Cocteau Twins. He talks to David Vincent about his return.
Q
It’s been six years since Goodbye, your last solo album – so why now for an ‘Ulrich Schnauss’ record? To be honest, the record was finished [laughs]. Sometimes it takes a while, but there were various other factors like, I wanted to change from this period I’d been in for two to three years, to try new things out, to experiment a bit, and there were also a couple of drastic changes in my personal life – a 10-year relationship came to an end, and I was diagnosed with diabetes.
A
Q
Did that change in musical direction come from a fear of being pigeonholed? [It was] not so much about how I was perceived from the outside, more about my personal satisfaction, that I wanted to do something that would challenge me. With the previous idea I had, to merge that shoegaze aesthetic with electronic elements, I’d done everything I could think about. If I’d done another record in that style, it would have become a routine and I was looking for something to challenge me.
A
Q A
Do you think you’ve achieved what you set out to with this record?
It’s very subjective. Some reviewers have said I sound exactly the same as I’ve always done, and some say it’s radically different. For me, this one is significantly different. On a structural level, I wanted to get away from that classic song structure which I used on the previous records, where I was also using vocals – and there are no vocals on this album. On the previous three albums, I was also using these washed out synth’ colours, they were quite ‘reverby’. Here, I wanted to use quite percussive sounds.
It’s not a genre record. Goodbye was in the shoegaze tradition, but you can’t say that about this record – it’s more electronic. I never wanted to be stuck in a particular genre, although I find them good as a guideline or frame. In the 90s that frame was drum n bass and with the last record, shoegaze. Genres are helpful to explore. Then, when you reach a certain age, you try to get rid of those genres, those helpers, and try to find new helpers, new steers.
Ulrich Schnauss is at the Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, on March 24, with support from Free School and Arc Vel. New album A Long Way To Fall is out now on Domino/ Scripted Realities.
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Q
You actually write on piano – do you leave anything of those analogue sounds in the records?
A
Sometimes I do, yes. Broken Homes, the main parts are a four-chord sequence. If you were to hear the track on good headphones, you would still hear the original piano track there, in the mix.
Q A
What next after this tour?
There’s always stuff to do although I’m concentrating on one project at the moment. I did a collaboration with Mark Peters and we’ve been working on a followup to that, which should be done early March. I don’t know if we’ll ever tour that stuff as it’s based on played instruments and not sequencers, and to be honest, we’re not very good players, we rely on cutting things up and changing things around, but maybe it’s something we could try to develop. You’re not a very good player? That’s very honest of you... These days you don’t have to be a great musician to make music, so why lie? I admire great pianists and I admire great guitarists, but I’m not great. I know my boundaries. I still have worthwhile stuff to give in other areas...
Q A
Brum Notes Magazine
March 2013
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Brum Notes Magazine
Riding high on the release of their acclaimed debut album, Theme Park and their luscious calypso-indie vibes are bringing a touch of summer to the cold months as they head out on their first major headline tour. Matthew Osborne gets on board to find out where the fun all began.
Park
Life
For those readers who have been in bands that slogged their way through countless years of thankless shows in pursuit of the ever elusive ‘dream’, you might do well to look away now. Theme Park are one of the music industry’s rare and seemingly effortless success stories, whose rise to the position they now occupy ‘on the verge of stardom’ began when they posted a song online.
After this they pressed their first seven-inch, “There isn’t a particular theme running Wax/A Mountain We Love, and the follow- through the whole thing,” says Marcus. “It’s ing day played their first live show. It seems got a very summery vibe underlaid by some like a topsy-turvy way of doing things, but melancholy. But it is a very summery soundthat is not to say they have arrived where ing record, that’s undeniable.” they are now through sheer luck. Milk, that first song posted online which generated so Up until now, Theme Park admirers have much interest in the first place, shares musi- just been treated to a sprinkling of singles cal DNA with Talking Heads. No bad thing since mid-2011, but Marcus is pleased that of course. But while Marcus is glad of the the whole album is now out there for people comparison to one of his favourite bands, to soak up. Although twin brothers Miles and Marcus he is quick to point out that there is more to Haughton have been playing music togeth- Theme Park than a Talking Heads facsimile. “You know, we’ve been working on our stuff er throughout their entire lives, even playing for quite a while so, for the album especially, jazz at one point alongside school chums “I guess [Talking Heads] was just a step in it’s nice to know that finally people are going Bombay Bicycle Club, the idea of starting a our development. The album doesn’t sound to be able to hear a body of work rather than band with the intention of securing a record totally different but there isn’t very much Talk- just one-off singles,” he says. deal doesn’t seem to have crossed either of ing Heads in it. I think with new bands it’s their minds, it just seems to have happened. tempting to pick up on anyone they’re influ- Those singles have been enough so far to enced by and latch on to it. When the album help the band achieve one of their aims “We started working on Theme Park when we comes out you’ll see a lot more.” of making “alternative pop music that you finished university,” explains guitarist Marcus. could dance to,” but in the wake of their “We had a gap year to see what we could That album was finally released through hotly-anticipated debut album, the dancing come up with and write music. Then we put Transgressive Records at the end of Febru- is set to intensify on their first major headour first song online in May of 2011, and it ary but was originally scheduled for last line tour this month. took off from there really. August, before the record company pushed the date back. Unfortunately the climate into “There’s always a dance-floor,” says Marcus, “It got to the point where we’d been working which it has arrived is a lot chillier than the his grin almost audible as he reflects on on stuff on our own for quite a while and we warm August days that it should have been the live experience. “We know we’re doing just wanted to see what the world thought. birthed into. something wrong if people aren’t dancing.” Luckily it went well. As soon as we put the song online quite a few managers got in Theme Park are live at The Temple @ The Institute, Birmingham, on March 21. touch who represent labels, and then we Debut album Theme Park is out now on Transgressive Records. picked the manager that we liked.”
March 2013
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T I C K E T S A VA I L A B L E AT K I L I L I V E . C O M
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Breaking Out
Bastille started 2013 as one of the year’s hottest properties following a flurry of successful singles which whetted the public’s appetite. With debut album Bad Blood out this month and a sold-out UK tour to squeeze into their relentless schedule, the band’s creative force Dan Smith takes time out to talk to Tom Pell. “We’re in Brussels!” exclaims frontman Dan Smith, taking time out for a chat in between his almost relentless schedule of planes, trains and automobiles. “We’re just about to get on the Eurostar to come back to London. It’s been a week of promoting around Europe, about 10 or 15 TV or radio shows a day, or interviews and stuff. The most full-on, hardcore promo stuff we’ve ever done. It’s mad. We’ve been in a different country every day this week, and then I came back to go to the Brit Awards too. We’ve done more promotion in this last week than I have in the rest of my life.” The attention, though, is justified. A blend of indie and electronica gives Bastille their base to build upon, but it is Smith’s soft yet weighty vocals and seemingly effortless songwriting that makes them unique. Smith favours his falsetto rather than a roar to achieve moments of peaceful yet poignant clarity, while simple shifts in melody add hook on top of hook. It’s not rocket science, it’s just songwriting done very, very well. So well in fact that after a DIY video for first single Flaws, 18
where Dan pieced together footage from Terrence Malick’s movie Badlands, YouTube viewers joined in the fun and responded with their own covers of the song. “It’s really bizarre,” says Dan. “It’s a really nice compliment. I find it fascinating, this window into people’s lives all around the world. The first one I saw, I nearly fell off my chair. I just made this song in my bedroom, the last thing I expected was this complete stranger posting their version of it.” Not to be outdone, the trademark Bastille sound was loaned to other people’s songs on the two Other People’s Heartbreak mixtapes. For further listening try No Angels, a mix of The XX’s Angels and TLC’s No Scrubs, or their breathtaking homage to Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams. “The way we approached the mixtapes was to pick the bits of the songs we wanted to use, but not to be too precious about their structure,” says Dan. “Listen to them, then almost ignore that they existed. I guess the vocals are always there to
anchor it to us. Hopefully, with the covers and with the album as well, the things that tie it together are my songwriting and my voice.” This month fans get a chance to hear that voice in action in the live arena. You may have caught them supporting Two Door Cinema Club in recent weeks, but this month sees Bastille embark on their own sell-out headline tour, their biggest so far and, for Dan, a real chance to show what they can do. “We had a great time [touring with Two Door Cinema Club],” he recalls. “It was a real eye opener for us. A real insight into what a ‘proper’ band does on tour. Also, for the lazy aspects of our character, it was quite nice because there wasn’t as much pressure on us. Just pop out and play for half an hour and enjoy it. “We want our show to be bigger and better than it has been before. They’re the biggest headline shows we’ve ever played and it’s mental knowing that the tour is sold out. It’s exciting, but it makes Brum Notes Magazine
me nervous too. It’s a long stretch of time out in front of us, but it should be good. Hopefully.” Bastille originally began life as a bedroom solo project, with Dan a singer/songwriter. While he still writes and puts together most of the songs himself, he is now joined by Chris Wood, Will Farquarson and Kyle Simmons, but Dan Smith and The Bastille this is not, they are very much a collaborative outfit. “I massively see us as a band,” Dan insists. “Every band operates differently and I just like being able to get on with the writing and recording by myself. It’s just how I’m most comfortable working. It’s something that may change, but it’s just worked until now. I’m really lucky that the other guys are quite respectful of when to put in and when not to. But when we play live it’s very much the four of us. I guess I kind of get the best of both worlds.”
2013 h c r a M ry - 10 a u r b e F 28
March 9 marks a swift return to Birmingham for the band, on the back of their two support dates in February. A full set will see the emergence of Bastille the headliners, showcasing their new album to boot. The longplayer in question, Bad Blood, boasts the title track, Flaws, Overjoyed and The Weight of Living among the track list, as well as new single Pompeii in which Smith sings, “How am I going to be an optimist about this?” The excitement already greeting the forthcoming album suggests he has little to worry about on that score. Other songs on the album take inspiration from the films of David Lynch and the books of Brett Easton Ellis, while the video for Pompeii is billed as Smith’s take on I Am Legend as if directed by Nicholas Winding Refn. Clearly a cinema fan, Smith is more than happy to be heavily involved in the video process. Just not actually, well, in them. “I love the aesthetics of cinema and everything it conjures up,” he explains. “I love the film posters and the soundtracks. I always strive for our stuff to be quite cohesive and cinematic, and it’s quite a lot of fun being involved in the videos. “I don’t like being in them, I find that incredibly cringeworthy, but that goes with the compromises you sometimes have to make. When we are able to and when the venue is appropriate, we do try to incorporate visuals and stuff into our live shows. “We’ve just started a project where we’re going to make a short film, using some of the songs that we’ve done that have just made it onto EPs rather than the album. We’ll sew them together into a short film, just for a bit of a side-project. They’re not not on the album because I don’t like them or I’m not happy with them, we just had too many songs. It’d be nice to still give them a push.”
THEATRE VISUAL ARTS PERFORMANCE MUSIC LITERATURE FILM TALKS & WORKSHOPS
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With plenty of major radio airplay Bastille’s songs have been seeping into people’s consciousness from all angles, but the sneakiest subliminal shove was the backing of EA Sports and the team behind FIFA 13, with Smith’s songs soundtracking the popular football game. “The EA Games people just approached us, and yeah, I guess it’s quite cool,” says Dan, hesitantly. “There are always those people in a friendship group that are like, ‘Uh, you’re in a band. What are you doing with your life?’ and then they’re like ‘Oh my god, you’re on FIFA! That’s real!’ “It’s cool for us because we have friends who don’t really care about us being in a band, so it’s good to freak them out a bit.”
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Bastille are live at The Library @ The Institute, Birmingham, on March 9. Debut album Bad Blood is released on March 4. March 2013
SHOUT is a project of
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Galloping Inferno After they narrowly missed out on top spot in the charts with their third album Holy Fire, David Vincent finds a pre-tour Foals excited but nervous. Just don’t mention ‘that’ film soundtrack… While Foals’ second album was (if the stories are to be believed) fuelled by weed, the Oxford band’s third long-player Holy Fire, it transpires, has been shaped by a very different substance. “There was a lot of red wine drunk for this record,” laughs bassist Walter Gervers. “When we were working in Oxford, we’d be very good for most of the day, then Yannis or Jimmy would crack open the red wine. “[The track] Late Night is definitely a product of a long evening with a couple of bottles of Shiraz…” The wine seems to have done the trick as the 11-track LP has shaped up to be the band’s most successful to date, crashing into the album charts at a far-from-shoddy number two, missing out on the top spot by just 1,000 copies. “It was pretty encouraging, none of that stuff really got thought about,” says Walter on the news that they’d been kept off pole position by the Les Miserables soundtrack. “We just weren’t thinking about the chart, we were just thinking about getting the record out… but we were really, really pleased. We were pleased people still wanted to listen to us. 20
“And to be beaten by the Les Mis soundtrack… that’s okay. Although the amount of times I’ve heard people say: ‘Les Mis?’ Urgh!” So, no Les Mis DVD on the birthday or Christmas wish-list then? “No.” Combining elements of math rock, indie, post-punk, dance and Afrobeat, Foals’ debut album, 2008’s Antidotes, debuted at number three, firmly establishing vocalist Yannis Philippakis, guitarist Jimmy Smith, percussionist Jack Bevan, keyboard player Edwin Congreave, and Walter as Oxford’s second greatest musical export – a fact confirmed by 2010’s Mercury Prizenominated Total Life Forever. Having earned a solid run of ‘Best Album Of The Year’ mentions, it at first seemed that Total Life Forever was going to be hard to beat, especially as initial sessions for Holy Fire proved less than fiery. “We did begin demoing it in Australia,” reports Walter. “That was in the very, very early stages. We went out to do a festival, Laneway, and decided we’d go out much earlier to see our friend Jono Ma, who is in [Aussie band] Lost Valentinos. It was really an excuse to just hang out in Australia, to
get some bits ‘n’ bobs done. But nothing really came of what we did there, there’s nothing of it left on the album. But it was nice to get into the studio and there was just no pressure. After that, we needed to get back to Oxford to really start writing and recording, back to our base camp.” With material slowly coming together in the UK, the combo called on the services of heavyweight producers Flood and Alan Moulder, whose former employers as individuals and a duo include the likes of The Killers, U2, New Order, Brian Eno, Editors, PJ Harvey, Moby and The Cure. “They’re the top boys of production!” reckons Walter. “We’re all big fans of their work, both as individuals and together, especially The Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, and things like Nine Inch Nails. Flood’s also done a lot of industrial stuff. They have this amazing back catalogue. Years ago, we would have never even thought it possible to work with them, but now… it’s a possibility. “With Total Life Forever, Alan mixed that, so we had a relationship. We learnt a lot working with them and everyone was on the same wavelength. We really honed tracks down, because we had a lot of material Brum Notes Magazine
THESUNONTHEHILL.CO.UK to start with, and they were a joy to work with. They came to Oxford to see us rehearse, and Yannis sent them loops and samples, so when we did get into the studio, we already had a good relationship, and that had a good effect on the process.” Inspired by the landscape, iconography, voodoo, the swamp, sex, Curtis Mayfield and a few decent bottles of vino, Holy Fire arguably finds a more direct and streamlined Foals, which some have described as ‘poppier.’ “I think that’s fair enough,” Walter says. “I think that particularly on this record, it’s about something we’ve learned to do. We didn’t want to overcrowd the songs sonically, didn’t want to crowd the arrangements. With the more poppier songs, it’s about us being more confident, we allow the song to be what it is, not force it, or make it more ‘Foalsy’. We’d get the essence of the songs in rehearsal, and then allow the songs to be like that, so they’re not socially cluttered.” Does that mean the band now view their previous releases as somewhat overcrowded? “When you finish working on something you’re in love with it for a bit, then you look back and are more critical, you think you could have done something differently, but they – Antidotes, Total Life Forever – captured a period in time. It’s like doing a painting, you have to know when to stop, when it’s finished. With Total Life Forever… we perhaps overworked things a bit in the past, but we’ve only made three albums and we want to make more. “Over the last two years, we’ve become more experienced, when we go back into a studio we’re more experienced and confident, we’ve grown up a lot, and Holy Fire is a product of that.” With the album sorted, next comes the obligatory UK tour, which includes two shows at the Royal Albert Hall, the iconic venue built by Queen Victoria in South Kensington, and home to The Proms. Yet despite punters’ clear enthusiasm for the band – the tour has long sold out – Walter confesses to some nerves. “It’s quite scary when you haven’t really toured for a while,” he says. “We were excited… it’s about time we toured. The Royal Albert Hall is something we’re only now starting to look forward to, but we’re still very, very nervous. We were doing one show there… then two shows. We thought, ‘this is not achievable’. “It’s not a big room, but the heritage of it, there’s nothing else like it. Playing there is a really amazing thing to tick off the list, if we can get through it,” he says, adding the early start means more time for pre-gig nerves. “Because we’re doing a matinee and an evening show, I think the soundcheck has to be at 9.30am, which is detrimental to the show as by the time we get on later… we’ll be hearing it through plenty of vodka.” Foals are live at The Institute, Birmingham, on March 6. Third album Holy Fire is out now. New single Late Night is released on April 22. March 2013
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Django Django Photos by Andy Hughes
live Peace
NME Awards tour 2013 O2 Academy, Birmingham 16/02/13
Now into its 19th year, the NME Awards Tour is renowned for showcasing some of the best up-and-coming talent – and this year marked one of its most exciting line-ups yet. There are few bands around at the moment (except perhaps Palma Violets) receiving quite so much attention as Peace. Having embarked on a couple of UK and European jaunts last year, the opening slot on the NME Tour 2013 sees them a) return to their hometown armed with an album ready to go and b) play one of the biggest stages of their career to date. There is already an impressive crowd gathered when they saunter on stage – one which is up for it just about as much as the band themselves, it transpires. Peace play fan-favourites Wraith, California Daze and the anthemic Bloodshake along with plenty of new material and end on forthcoming single Follow Baby. Home crowd or not, tonight Peace are tighter than they have ever been. Palma Violets kick up no less of a furore, Best of Friends garners the most impressive reaction. Though their twin pack of frontmen has earned them comparisons to The Libertines, their noise rock is far more akin to Richard Hell and the crowd complies readily with their requests for a circle pit. Miles Kane is next to appear and though his name sticks out a little on the line-up, his performance leaves no doubt. Suited and booted to perfection and with guitar changes Weller would be proud of, Miles Kane attracts a slightly older crowd but one which 22
in turn completely idolises him. Heading up the night very nicely indeed are Django Django whose rendition of their Mercury-nominated, self-titled debut is a driving crescendo of a performance. Indebted in part to Hot Chip, Django’s brand of catchy electronica is completely captivating. The crowd is left completely satisfied and undoubtedly asking where the afterparty is at. Well, in Birmingham. Amy Sumner
Everything Everything The Library @ The Institute, Birmingham 12/02/13
Everything Everything ambled on stage with little aplomb, launching into the spectral Undrowned which, although one of the highlights from the new album, drowned in reverb. Lead single Kemosabe followed soon after, but the band seemed lacklustre, almost nervous to stand before us. But from the moment they unleashed the almost Coldplay-like Duet, through a forest of arms being held aloft, a smile could be seen creeping onto frontman Jonathan’s face and from that point forward the show pulsated with vitality. Ecstatic mosh-pits formed during Photoshop Handsome and Cough Cough, Jonathan Everything’s face, emblazoned with a perma-smile. He had spoken previously of his desire for second album Arc
to connect more with his audience. On the evidence of this show, you could confidently say that has been achieved. It took the band a few songs to grasp, seeming slightly embarrassed that all these people had come to see them. But when they realised they had achieved what they set out to do, they owned the room. Matthew Osborne
Gallops The Flapper, Birmingham 14/02/13
Vocals are a popular way of adding contrast and interest to music, and so widely expected that we tend to take them for granted. It’s a sign that Gallops are creating something special when you realise that you don’t miss the vocals in their music. In fact, you forget vocals even exist. Their mash of short, sharp bleeps and chunky math-rock angles is mind boggling, but awesome. Reminiscent of Battles, Adebisi Shank and Brontide, Gallops take a fresh direction on the experimental instrumental genre. There are rock guitars and frantic riffs versus flowing, spaced-out synths. Each song takes the Brum Notes Magazine
crowd on a journey, with twists and turns of pace and intricate electronica layers. Melodic guitar and chilled digital beats combine to reach challenging musical structures. Performing songs off debut album Yours Sincerely, Dr Hardcore they work their way through the atmospheric Astaroth, before switching into the catchy Jeff Leopard – the latter an 80s reminiscent synth experience, harmonising heavy guitar strokes and crunching beats. Hongliday contrasts the playful percussion and guitar notes with a heavy rock beat. It showcases a battle of styles that constantly changes direction and tone throughout, before roaring into a powerful and energetic crescendo. Rounding off the evening with Miami Spider, we are treated to a glitchy mash of drum beats with clockwork guitar rhythms. Funky synths add depth and distortion, creating a fusion of digital tones. Gallops’ music is frantic and quirky, but has a sophistication and technical execution that demands respect – something that the crowd were more than happy to show their appreciation for. Lorraine Teare
Villagers The Library @ The Institute, Birmingham 14/02/13
Villagers arrive in Birmingham with new album Awayland ready to sweep a Valentine’s Day crowd off its feet. The night begins as a low-key affair, Ship of Promises and The Meaning of the Ritual prompting huge, swelling sing-a-longs from a swooning crowd. First album Becoming A Jackal is all much in this vein however Awayland has shifted Conor O’Brien & Co to a different level. It is much more of a collaborative effort, translating into a much bigger and brasher live show. The Waves and The Bell provide a pre-encore finale that gets everybody dancing. Although there is clearly huge growth between the first and second albums, O’Brien’s astute lyrical musings remain but have garnered a renewed edge. After a few moments of chanting they reappear to rapturous applause and finish with Rhythm Composer and title track of the first album, Becoming a Jackal, achieving what many bands struggle with after releasing a new album with a different direction: mixing the old with the new and making the transition seem effortless. Joe Whitehouse
Dutch Uncles Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath 15/02/13
Crisp sound, sell-out crowd, live glockenspiel and a frontman whose body is March 2013
seemingly made of elastic – a formula that has ‘win’ written all over it, no? You know those gigs where everything just seems to fit perfectly? Maybe it was the excellent sound, the quality sets from support acts Victories At Sea and Coves, or maybe Dutch Uncles are always like it, but there seemed to be a genuine and genial sense of togetherness between the musicians on stage. Admittedly, it was pretty hard to concentrate on the music being played when Dutch Uncles lead singer Duncan Wallis, taking time out from piano vs glockenspiel duels, moved like Ian Curtis or Wilko Johnson with an electric eel down his cotton chinos. A set that twisted and turned through prog, ragtime, Afropop, indie, electro and minimalism among other delights was the perfect foil for the frontman – a vocal doppelgänger for Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor if there ever was one – to play the charming and electrifying host, literally and figuratively. The band’s material, from the bouncing chart-friendly pop of Fester and Flexxin off latest album Out Of Touch in the Wild to older tracks like Cadenza and X-O, worked and flowed beautifully – unpredictable and skewiff in a lovely, slightly eccentric way. Sterling work. Lyle Bignon
Swim Deep The Library @ The Institute, Birmingham 15/02/13
chorused back, while new tracks from their forthcoming debut album were received with equal enthusiasm. This was a band having tonnes of fun, something that easily transferred into the crowd. With Austin taking his top off, Cavan being sick behind his amp and Zach’s legendary drum solo, they proved themselves to be true rock ‘n’ roll stars. Jaws and Swim Deep proved once again that the B-Town scene is worth the hype. Lauren Cox
Jake Bugg The Institute, Birmingham 19/02/13
Whipping up a number one debut album, nominated for British Breakthrough Act of 2013 and having already toured with some of music’s biggest talents, Nottingham lad Jake Bugg has become the infectious newcomer on everyone’s lips and after tonight’s enthralling performance, it isn’t hard to see why. Swaggering on stage to Robert Johnson’s’ Cross Road Blues, he is greeted by a sellout crowd of excited teenage girls as well as middle-aged Paul Weller look-alikes, validating Bugg’s revamped, 60s rock appeal…a cross between Bob Dylan and Alex Turner, an old soul in an extremely young face with an undeniably incredible gift. Kentucky and Trouble Town begin the night combined of acoustic numbers and chart topping singles. Older tracks, Someone Told Me, Country Song, and Some Place showcase his unique, gritty vocals that channel goose bumps. Perhaps through lack of experience or intimidation, Bugg barely moves or speaks to his audience, yet, judging by the crowd’s passionate applause and wholehearted chants, the stripped-down performance proves to be more than enough. Bugg is at the beginning of his career and with upward progression – tonight is merely a hint at what he is truly capable of. Ivy Photiou
Swim Deep returned to ‘B-Town’ with their Brummie buddies JAWS for their biggest hometown headline show, upgraded due to demand. JAWS are the next fresh faced band to emerge from the ever growing BTown music scene. Their set continued to improve as they relaxed into the crowd’s heart warming cheers laced with pride, especially to favourites Toucan Surf and Surround You. Despite the band’s relaxing tropical vibes and Connor’s laid back vocals, the crowd still managed to go completely wild. Everything Everything In true quirky style, Swim Deep emerged to the sound of Eamon’s RnB classic Fuck It and later left the stage to rival song Fuck You Right Back by Frankee. In between, they brought the sun into the room with their dreamy, beach grunge tracks. And to use the words of Austin himself, the crowd were definitely “down to clown.” King City, Honey and their upcoming single The Sea were
Photo by Lee Allen See more photos at www.brumnotes.com 23
TOR'S PICK STYLE EDITOR'S PICKS the winter-spring transition
MAC £13.50
TOPSHOP £25.00
H&M £29.99
MISS SELFRIDGE £18.50 FOREVER 21 £5.65
FOR HER URBAN OUTFITTERS £10.00 RIVER ISLAND £30.00
MANGO £12.99
OASIS £70.00
TOPSHOP £32.00
MANGO £169.00
COS £135.00
HYPE @ TOPMAN £25.00
ATOO £120.00
FOR HIM RIVER ISLAND £35.00
BURTON £22.00 ASOS £18.00 VANS @ URBAN OUTFITTERS £70.00 TOPMAN £10.00
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Brum Notes Magazine
KS
birmingham street style photography by Emily Baker
BRADLEY, 16, STUDENT Bradley’s colour jacket is from Mr Bird’s Emporium, his jeans are from Topman and he’s wearing Nike trainers. He doesn’t have any fashion icons but dresses mostly in vintage and prefers to be comfortable. His favourite shops are COW and Mr Bird’s Emporium in the Custard Factory, Digbeth.
EMILY, 20, MUSICIAN Emily is wearing a charity shop jacket and her jumper and top are from the Pop-Up vintage shop. Her fashion icons are her friends and her favourite shops are charity shops.
GEORGIE, 20, GRAPHICS STUDENT Georgie is wearing a large black coat from M&S, a Zara dress and a Mulberry bag with open-toe Jimmy Choo shoes. Her fashion icon is Patsy Stone and her favourite retailer in Birmingham is Zara.
JESS, 19, HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT Both Jess’ jacket and top are from Topshop, her printed skirt and bag are from Urban Outfitters and her boots are from ASOS. Her fashion icon is Kate Moss and her favourite fashion retailer is Urban Outfitters.
March 2013
ALEXANDER, 22, ARCHITECT His coat is from a charity shop, his black jeans are from Cheap Monday and his shoes are Dr Martens. His fashion icon is Doug Castle and his favourite fashion brand is Cheap Monday.
COBY, 17, STUDENT Coby is wearing a vintage Ralph Lauren shirt he found at COW, his hat is from Liquor Store and his coat and trainers are from Size. He says his brother is his fashion icon and his favourite shop in Birmingham is Mr Bird’s Emporium.
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FOOD + DRINK st patrick’s day drinks: ‘the craythur’ I’ve used an old name for Irish whiskey in honour of its birthplace. Whilst most people think of Scotland when it comes to whiskey production it was first documented in Ireland in the 12th century and the first legal distillery was also in Ireland – Bushmills in 1608. The first thing you will notice about Irish whiskey is the spelling of the word using an ‘e’ in it. Secondly, Irish whiskey is mostly distilled three times instead of twice like the Scotch varieties. There are a couple of exceptions, as always with rules, one being Connemara peated whiskey – a favourite of ours at The Victoria. This whiskey is peated which is rare in Irish whiskey production as most of it tends to be smoother and lighter in style, making it perfect for sipping and great in cocktails. With St Patrick’s Day celebrations taking over Birmingham later this month, below are a few of our favourite whiskey cocktails, sláinte!
Recipe: John Jameson Jape The first drink concentrates on the lighter notes, served tall it opens the whiskey up and emphasises the soft characteristics, making use of the smoothness through triple distillation. Ingredients: 35ml light Scotch whisky 35ml Blue Curacao 35ml fresh pressed apple juice 15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions: Build all ingredients in a Collins glass and serve.
Recipe: Gilligan’s Ireland
Recipe: BLACK WATCH
The second drink complements the honey and buttery notes whilst amplifying the woody and spicy notes without any flavour over riding the other – a great blend just like the whiskey.
This third drink is all about the richer flavour notes complementing those notes with fig and chocolate, setting the stage for the smoked finish; rich yet balanced.
Ingredients: 35ml Tullamore Dew 15ml Tuaca 20ml Lemon juice 15ml gomme 3x dashes Plum Bitters 1x bar spoon Lemon curd 1x egg white (optional but better with) Directions: Add all the ingredients, shake with ice and strain into a rocks (short) glass.
Ingredients: 75ml Connemara Peated Whiskey 12.5ml Dark chocolate liqueur 7.5ml Fig Syrup Directions: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe glass. By Julian Rose-Gibbs, general manager at The Victoria, John Bright Street, Birmingham. www.thevictoriabirmingham.co.uk
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Brum Notes Magazine
PRESENTS
GUNNING FOR TAMAR WAX FUTURES • MOUNT FUJI Wednesday 27th March The Flapper, Birmingham
£4 advance
(from the ticket sellers)
Doors 8pm £
March 2013
WWW.THEFLAPPER.CO.UK
27
WHAT’S ON
KEY TO LISTINGS: M = LIVE MUSIC CN = CLUB NIGHT C = COMEDY
BIRMINGHAM: O2 Academy, Horsefair, Bristol St B1, 0844 4772000; The 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; 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; Bull’s Head, St Marys Row, Moseley B13, 0121 2567777; Island Bar, Suffolk St B1, 0121 6325296; The Jam House, St Pauls Sq B3, 0121 2003030; Ort, Moseley Rd, Balsall Heath, B12; The Asylum, Hampton St, Hockley B19, 0121 2331109; The Rainbow, High St, Digbeth B12, 0121 7728174; Adam & Eve, Bradford St, Digbeth B12, 0121 6931500; The Rose Villa Tavern, Warstone Lane, B18, 0121 2367910; The Yardbird, Paradise Place B3, 0121 2122524; The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0871 4720400; MAC, Cannon Hill Park B12, 0121 4463232; Nightingale, Kent St B5, 0121 6221718; Scruffy Murphys, The Priory Queensway B4, 0121 2362035; The Wagon & Horses, Adderley St, Digbeth B9, 0121 7721403; Lab11, Trent St B5, lab11.co.uk; The Moseley Arms, Ravenhurst St B12, 0121 7668467; Air, Heath Mill Lane B9, 0121 7666646; Artrix, Slideslow Dr, Bromsgrove B60, 01527 577330; WOLVERHAMPTON: Civic Hall/Wulfrun Hall, North St WV1, 0870 320 7000; The Slade Rooms, Broad St WV1, 0870 320 7000; Robin 2, Mount Pleasant, Bilston WV14, 01902 401211; WEST BROMWICH: The Public, New St B70, 0121 5337161; COVENTRY: Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, CV4, 024 7652 4524 M M M M
Friday, Mar 1 The Rookers
Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
Among The Echoes
The Flapper
Birmingham
Tom Odell
The Institute
Birmingham
Alternative Dubstep Orchestra Lucha Libre
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
CN CN Propaganda ft The
Bodega
Birmingham
O2 Academy
Birmingham
CN CN Break Thru CN Freestyle Vs Hustle Joe Lycett C
Suki10c
Birmingham
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Saturday, Mar 2 Reel Big Fish
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
One Ton Bullet
Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
San Cisco
The Institute
Birmingham
The Atlantic Players + The Peaky Blinders Conflux
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
PST
Birmingham
Open Decks Session
Suki10c
Birmingham
Cream Tour 2013
The Institute
Birmingham
93 - Chapter 3
The Institute
Birmingham
Heidi’s Jackathon
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Hot Wax
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Joe Lycett
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Sunday, Mar 3 Bethan & The Morgans
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Lightfire
The Flapper
Birmingham
UFO
The Institute
Birmingham
The Doors Experience
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Ace Bushy Striptease
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Enemy live Milkk
M M M M CN CN CN CN CN CN C M M M M M 28
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.
C
Richard Herring
The Glee Club
Birmingham
M
Monday, Mar 4 Lewis Watson
The Institute
Birmingham
Tuesday, Mar 5 The Virginmarys
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Institute
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Spotlight
Birmingham
Thursday, Mar 7 Beth Hart
The Institute
Birmingham
Sam Lee
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Brum Notes Issue Launch Party with Bombers, Skull TV, Youth Man + Ghosts of Dead Airplanes Heart of a Dog
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Ort
Balsall Heath
Mark Thomas
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Andrew Bird
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Friday, Mar 8 My Bloody Valentine
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Into Valhalla
Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
Towns
The Flapper
Birmingham
Lianne La Havas
The Institute
Birmingham
Breed 77
The Institute
Birmingham
Funk Soul Collective
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Planes
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Live Jazz with Shatner’s Bassoon
Ort
Balsall Heath
M M
Greg Bird & Flamingo Flame Wednesday, Mar 6 Foals
M Hot 8 Brass Band M Cloud Boat M CN Vintage Rewired M M M
M C C M M M M M M M M
Brum Notes Magazine
CN Propaganda CN Stilla Audio CN ONEDUB presents
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Suki10c
Birmingham
The Rainbow Warehouse Bull’s Head
Birmingham
The Glee Club
Birmingham
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Saturday, Mar 9 The One Twos
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
Broken Witt Rebels
The Flapper
Birmingham
Jessie Ware
The Institute
Birmingham
Bastille
The Institute
Birmingham
MFC Chicken
Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
The Jasmine Moon Ensemble Juqebox
Ort
Balsall Heath
Rose Villa Tavern
Birmingham
House of Lords
Subway City
Birmingham
Wiley
The Institute
Birmingham
FACE
The Rainbow
Birmingham
10:31 present Disclosure Circles Present Fabio
The Rainbow Warehouse Hare & Hounds
Birmingham
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Glee Club
Birmingham
UNOD Weekender Wolf Music
CN Rob Rouse C Zoe Lyons C M M M M M M CN CN CN CN CN
CN CN Uber Rob Rouse C M M
Sunday, Mar 10 Cancer Bats
M M M M M M M M C M M M M M M M C M M
Kings Heath
The Institute
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Suki10c
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
O2 Academy
Birmingham
The Glee Club
Birmingham Birmingham
Jazz Morley
The Sunflower Lounge Hare & Hounds
Wednesday, Mar 13 Claudia Brucken
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Lawson
The Institute
Birmingham
Marcus Malone Band
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Lapalux
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Rich Hall
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Thursday, Mar 14 The Alarm
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
Space
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Granny Takes a Trip
Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
Searching Alaska
The Flapper
Birmingham
Gabrielle Aplin
The Institute
Birmingham
Proud Mary
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Polly and the Billets Doux Rob Deering
Ort
Balsall Heath
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Friday, Mar 15 Made In Belfast
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Scruffy Somethings
Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
Dhoad Gypsies Of Rajasthan Bohemian Jukebox
M CN Output ft Cuartero M
Moseley
Monday, Mar 11 Kvelertak Tuesday, Mar 12 Bullet For My Valentine Roddy Woomble Layers + Scholars
March 2013
M M M M CN CN CN
Pressure Kids
The Flapper
Birmingham
Bouncing Souls
The Institute
Birmingham
The Frenzies
Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
The Travelling Band
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Propaganda
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Dolce Vita
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Seedy Sonics Outlook Festival Launch Party Absolut Reggae
The Rainbow Warehouse Hare & Hounds
Birmingham
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Glee Club
Birmingham
CN CN Freestyle ft Danieal Katherine Ryan C Saturday, Mar 16 The Stranglers
M M M M M M M M CN CN CN C M
Kings Heath
O2 Academy
Birmingham
City Lightz + Jimmy Davis Cold Fields
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
The Flapper
Birmingham
Johnny Marr
The Institute
Birmingham
Heems (Das Racist)
The Institute
Birmingham
Subset
Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
The Electric Swing Circus Ethemia
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Ort
Balsall Heath
DUSH
Lab11
Birmingham
FACE
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Habit
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Rob Deering
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Sunday, Mar 17 Follow You Home
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
presents in association with One Beat Records
Kings Heath
Plus special guests:
Wide Eyed | Youth Man | The Scribers
O2 ACADEMY3 BIRMINGHAM FRIDAY 5 APRIL DOORS: 6PM / CURFEW: 10:30PM / £5 ADV Tickets include free entry to Propaganda club night Buy tickets now from: o2academybirmingham.co.uk 0844 477 2000 (24hr) brumnotes.com o2academybirmingham.co.uk 29
CN Access All Areas St CN M M M M M M M M M M M M M CN C C C M M M M M
Patricks Day Special St Patrick’s Day Foam Party Monday, Mar 18 Heather Peace
Birmingham
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Tom Baxter
The Institute
Birmingham
Tuesday, Mar 19 Al Lewis
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Wednesday, Mar 20 The Heavy
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
2CELLOS
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Nas + Meek Mill
The Institute
Birmingham
Wild Nothing
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Live Jazz with AfuriKo
Ort
Balsall Heath
Thursday, Mar 21 Inspiral Carpets
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
Finch
The Institute
Birmingham
Theme Park
The Institute
Birmingham
GBH
Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
KonKoma
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
AM:Live with Bass’Flo
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Boothby Graffoe
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Tom Wrigglesworth
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Matt Richardson
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Friday, Mar 22 The Good Water
Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
Emursia
The Flapper
Birmingham
The Weeknd
The Institute
Birmingham
POLIÇA
The Institute
Birmingham
Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam Alex Rainsford
The Rose Villa Tavern The Institute
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
O2 Academy
Birmingham
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Happa Freestyle
CN Tom Wrigglesworth C
M M M M M
Bull’s Head The Glee Club
Birmingham
Moseley Birmingham
Saturday, Mar 23 Ghost
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Sangi
Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
Winston’s Big Brother
The Flapper
Birmingham
Chapel Club
The Institute
Birmingham
Jess Morgan
Ort
Balsall Heath
Juqebox
Rose Villa Tavern
Birmingham
FACE
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Liquid Silver
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Tom Wrigglesworth
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Sunday, Mar 24 Frankie Cocozza
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Crooked Dawn
The Flapper
Birmingham
GO-X
The Institute
Birmingham
Ulrich Schnauss
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Monday, Mar 25 The Black Crowes Tuesday, Mar 26
30
Birmingham
The Institute
M Willy Moon M CN Propaganda CN Shadow City presents
M M M M M CN CN CN C
Arcadian
O2 Academy
Birmingham
M M M M M M M M M CN C C
Emeli Sande
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Wednesday, Mar 27 Emeli Sande
The Institute
Birmingham
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Steve Harris British Lion Gunning For Tamar
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
The Flapper
Birmingham
World Service Project
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Thursday, Mar 28 Scar Symmetry
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Ian McNabb
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Rebecca Pronsky
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Tender Administration
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Justin Moorhouse
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Mostly Comedy
Ort
Balsall Heath
Friday, Mar 29 Everclear
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
Glass Soldiers
Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
Silence The Weak
The Flapper
Birmingham
Futureproof
The Institute
Birmingham
Miles Perhower & His Definitive Squad The Gareth Fowler and Dan Bayliss Quintet Lucha Libre
Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
Ort
Balsall Heath
CN CN Propaganda ft Rascals
Bodega
Birmingham C
O2 Academy
Birmingham
CN CN FACE Warehouse Rave
PST
Birmingham Y
The Rainbow Warehouse Hare & Hounds
Birmingham CM
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Saturday, Mar 30 Eels
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Only The Good
Actress & Bishop
Birmingham
The Problems
The Flapper
Birmingham
Idle Paris
Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
Only Joe & The Friendly Fire Band David Newey & Shona Kipling Together We Blaze
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Ort
Balsall Heath
Lab11
Birmingham
Juqebox
Rose Villa Tavern
Birmingham
Planet Wonk
Suki10c
Birmingham
Paul Oakenfold
The Institute
Birmingham
Shelter presents Loxy
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Dave Fulton
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Sunday, Mar 31 French Montana
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Voodoo Six
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Midnight Bonfires
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bassline Heaven
Subway City
Birmingham
Below Easter Special
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Gilles Peterson DJ set + Troumaca (live) Enter The Dragon Bank Holiday Special
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bull’s Head
Moseley
M M M M M M
live + Jakwob DJ set Resonance
CN Ruts DC (DJ set) +
Cracked Actors live Freestyle
CN Dave Fulton C M M M M M M CN CN CN CN CN C M M M CN CN CN CN
M
Kings HeathMY CY
CMY
K
Brum Notes Magazine
March 2013
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The best new art by emerging West Midlands artists Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 15 February – 19 May 2013 The Barber Institute of Fine Arts 8 March – 19 May 2013 Grand Union 15 February – 16 March 2013
www.newartwestmidlands.org 32
Image: Matthew Evans, Loaded (2012)
Brum Notes Magazine