Brum Notes Magazine - December

december 09

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

Getting into the festive spirit with:

incl u full des gi list ings g fo dece mber r

WHITE LIES plus!

jon fratellis' new band scott matthews o copy hah CAPSULE ARE 10

albums of the year 2009 lled wine

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Brum Notes Magazine: Issue 3, December 2009 Brum Notes Magazine The Moseley Exchange 149-153 Alcester Road Moseley Birmingham B13 8JP info@brumnotes.com To advertise contact: advertising@ brumnotes.com Editor: Sean O’Muir Contributors Words: Tom Pell, James Collins, Lyle Bignon, Matt Beck, Jose Jones, John Kennedy, Stuart Charles, Ian Ravenscroft, Jeff Stuka, Derek Fudge, Matt Higgs Pictures: Katja Ogrin, Jemma Dodd, James Martin Design: Andy Aitken Illustration: Kris Jones 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. www.brumnotes.com Find us on Facebook.

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contents NEWS 4-5: Christmas Party line-up revealed.

FEATURES 7: Capsule Innovative Birmingham promoters reflect on 10 years.

9: Copy Haho Scottish indie upstarts talk up their headline tour, in a very polite way.

10-11: Scott Matthews Black Country songsmith looks forward to the new decade.

12-13: Codeine Velvet Club The Fratellis’ frontman Jon Lawler on his ‘not a side

project’ side project.

14-17: White Lies Don’t worry, they’re quite chirpy in real life. White Lies on their year of triumph.

REVIEWS 18-21: Live Pictures and words from the likes of The Flaming Lips, Cosmo Jarvis, Biffy Clyro and Youves.

22: Records Your guide to the best albums of 2009, from some of the people who’ve made them.

Top picks from your favourite bands and Brum Notes friends.

FOOD AND DRINK 24: Get into the party spirit by learning how to make your very own festive tipples.

COMPETITIONS 25: Win tickets to three of the hottest gigs hitting Birmingham this month, with freebies up for grabs to see The Herbaliser, Copy Haho and The Raveonettes.

LISTINGS 27: Gig Guide Your comprehensive guide to gigs throughout December, plus our tips on the best of the bunch and a round-up of New Year’s Eve action.

page four

news LIBRARY DOOMED

JAMIE T-TIME

Cheeky chappy and punk-hop geezer Jamie T has rescheduled his axed Birmingham show after recovering from laryngitis.

The Londoner was forced to abandon his Kings & Queens UK tour in October but will have a second stab at Birmingham’s O2 Academy on January 20.

Original tickets from October 3 remain valid.

TRAP BACK

Aussie chart-botherers The Temper Trap will storm back with a major tour next spring on the back of a stellar 2009. Having ruled the airwaves with Sweet Disposition they return to the UK in 2010 for a string of dates including May 4 at the O2 Academy in Brum.

THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING I know what you’re thinking, circuses are all about weird folk with hairy hands, right? And the thought of visiting Star City fills you with pangs of neon-fuelled dread?

Well think again, as the Moscow State Circus will be injecting some festive razzle-dazzle into the city this holiday season.

The world-renowned Moscow State Circus sets up camp in a heated marquee at Star City from December 10 to January 10 as part of award-winning show Legenda, boasting a huge cast of Russia’s most flexible circus performers.

Expect contemporary displays inspired by the dreams of Russian folklore figure Rasputin and classical set pieces including a slapstick clown double-act and a woman shooting an apple from her husband’s head with a crossbow.

Tickets at www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

UNSIGNED SHOWCASE TO RETURN IN THE NEW YEAR Bands and budding musos across the Midlands are being given the chance to play to thousands of people through one of the country’s largest music showcase festivals.

The Surface Unsigned Festival 2010 is set to be the biggest yet, with preparations now in full

flow for the internationally renowned event, which kicks off in February.

Organisers are offering a host of top prizes worth more than £60,000, with applications for next year expected to reach record numbers.

As part of the festival, events will be held in both Birmingham and Wolverhampton, as well

as London, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and other major cities around the UK. For bands that reach the final stages of the festival, prizes including industry showcases, recording and production deals, professional photo shoots, cash, endorsements and much more will be up for grabs.

Love it or loathe it, you’ll have to live without it, as Birmingham’s 1970s brutalist Central Library faces the bulldozers.

Culture Minister Margaret Hodge rejected calls from English Heritage to grant the library listed status, paving the way for it to be demolished to make way for a £600m redevelopment.

A new £193m library is planned for Centenary Square.

ASTON THRILLER Aston’s second most beautiful structure, Aston Hall, will be lit up in shimmering splendour this month by more than 300 candles. Aston Hall

by Candlelight runs from December 3 to 12. JLS are probably not invited.

The overall winners will be able to get their hands on a juicy package which not only includes £5,000 cash and top equipment, but also a lucrative slot performing at the Sziget Festival 2011 in Hungary to 65,000 people as well as major recording, marketing and distribution opportunities.

For full details log on to www.surfaceunsigned.co.uk.

news

CHEW LIPS TO HEADLINE BRUM NOTES XMAS BASH WITH SUPPORT FROM: * SCARLET HARLOTS! * IS I CINEMA! * LITTLE PALM! PLUS! DJs, FREE MULLED WINE & PAUL FROM THE DESTROYERS READING CHRISTMAS STORIES!

Hipster disco trio CHEW LIPS will headline a night of festive fun and frolics at the first ever Brum Notes Magazine Christmas Party.

It will be a unique chance to catch them in all their electro-pop glory in the intimate surrounds of The Victoria in John Bright St, Birmingham, on December 16, ahead of the release of their hotly-anticipated debut album next month. The east London three-piece are ending 2009 on a wave of critical acclaim following a string of triumphant live shows and the release of singles Solo and Salt Air on uber-cool label Kitsuné.

Support comes in the shape of bass-loving, punkstepping Brummie heroes SCARLET HARLOTS, as well as geek-prog rockers IS I CINEMA and the haunting vocals of boho teen queen LITTLE PALM. As a special festive treat, punk-poet PAUL MURPHY, nigh-on legendary frontman from

CHEW LIPS

THE DESTROYERS, will be regaling you with Christmas tales throughout the night, while the tunes will keep on rolling with sets on the decks from THIS IS TOMORROW DJs and can’t-be-bothered-to-bring-their-guitars-butwant-to-turn-up-anyway indie post-punks THE TRAPS and MISSING SID. Add to that lashings of mulled wine, festive food, a well-stocked bar and plenty of seasonal sparkle and it makes for quite the festive treat.

With advance tickets just £ 5 you’ll want to get in fast to secure your spot at the hottest party this yuletide. Tickets from The Victoria or online at www.theticketsellers.co.uk.

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page seven

Cutting edge music and art promoters Capsule have reached the grand old age of 10. Brum Notes breaks out the birthday cake to find out the secret of their success.

decade-long adventure, ore - aka Capsule - embarked on a Mo ny Jen and yer Me a Lis 9, 199 In gham’s artistic ambition to change the face of Birmin nd gra ir the ise real m the see ld which wou and musical landscape...

Now at the end of 2009, they are firmly established among the city’s most innovative music and art promoters.

And they are doing their bit to boost the local economy as well, with their annual Supersonic Festival attracting visitors from as far afield as Australia, the USA and Europe.

Collaborations with the likes of Fierce, IKON, Beat 13, 7 Inch Cinema and Einstellung have been at the heart of their work, as well as projects with Sonar Festival, SXSW and Warp Records among others.

But the real secret behind Capsule’s longevity would seem to be the hard work, vision and tenacity of Lisa and Jenny over the past 10

years.

“When we started, Birmingham was starved of interesting creative activity” Lisa explains.

“Music and visual arts were very much ghettoised and so we programmed to bring the two together, we championed the more experimental side of sound and art and this was very much embraced.”

Drawing on international influences could well be another crucial ingredient of their successful formula.

“Organisations like Sonar Festival in Barcelona were a massive inspiration for us,” Lisa continues. “DIY culture and the likes of Southern Records and Dischord (Washington DC label) have also been hugely

influential - it’s great that so many of our heroes have become our peers.”

Marking their milestone, the driving forces behind Capsule will be staging a variety of events this month, showcasing some of the best experimental artists around.

“These events are really a cross section of the type of work we do and pull together some of our highlights from over the years with people we’ve met along the way,” says Lisa.

“Further ahead in 2011, Capsule are producing the Home Of Metal project, which aims to celebrate Birmingham and the Black Country as the birthplace of Heavy Metal, with a huge exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

and tonnes of events around the region.”

And finally, for any up-andcoming promoters out there, some sage advice: “Treat people well, take care of your sound man through to your headline artist; do your research, nothing worse then getting an email addressed to ‘dear sirs’; and be realistic, the music biz is not nearly as glamorous as people might think, there’s a lot of hard work that goes on behind the scenes.”

And Capsule should know.

Words by Lyle Bignon • Capsule 10th Birthday Concert featuring Tunng and more is at Town Hall, Birmingham, on December 2. See www.capsule.org.uk.

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page nine

copy haho Ramshackle Scottish indie-popsters get set to return to Brum for a headline show this month.

“I’m quite useless sometimes playing things I’ve written live,” admits Copy Haho frontman Joe Hearty.

Possibly not the best way to sell yourself ahead of a

headline tour. But it was far from a plea to any would-be audience members to stay away from The Victoria on December 14, but more Joe’s charmingly understated

way of describing his preference for the confines of the studio.

“I’m more recording-minded I think,” he explains. “I’m a massive fan of studio time and recording because you can be more of a control freak about it and go in there with set objectives. I also like playing to a bunch of people you’ve never met but I think the recording thing comes more naturally to me. Definitely Rikki, the drummer, and Stu, the guitarist, are more into the ‘in a band to play live’ thing.

“It’s good that there’s a variety in the band.”

Despite his self-deprecation, Copy Haho and their Pavement-esque brand of introspective, jangling indie have forged quite a reputation for their engaging live performances, not least during tours supporting the

likes of Good Shoes and party animals Los Campesinos! in recent months. So, what can the uninitiated expect?

“A healthy amount of energy, some relatively loud songs and a good time, which sounds incredibly cheesy,” he says.

“But I think we try to make it as inclusive as possible, shy of jumping in the crowd, which isn’t really our sort of style.

“We try to make it as fun to watch as it is for us and make the audience have as good a time as we are, which sometimes can be more difficult that others, depending on where we are.”

Only one way to find out.

Words by James Collins.

• Copy Haho are at The Victoria, Birmingham, on December 14.

• To win tickets see p25.

SCOTT MATTHEWS outlook Ivor Novello award and a charming an , ent acc try un Co ck Bla a h wit d Arme music ambassadors for the West Midlands t bes the of e on is s ew tth Ma tt Sco on life, to year draws to a close, he has no plans l sfu ces suc r the ano as t Bu ay. tod d scene aroun rest on his laurels.

Down to earth, likeable and in possession of a bostin’ sing-song local twang, Scott Matthews typifies many of the characteristics of Birmingham and the Black Country.

While he openly admits that the legacies of Led Zeppelin and Nick Drake have had a direct impact on his music, the 33-yearold is still very much a man of the moment, leading a starry cast of local singer-songwriters who are making huge progress in putting the region on the musical map.

A one-off show at Birmingham’s Town Hall later this month marks

the end of a busy year which has seen the release of his second album Elsewhere, supported by extensive solo tours across the UK and Europe with Birmingham talent Vijay Kishore and James Summerfield in tow.

“Its the Midlands onslaught!” he exclaims.

“I’ve known Vijay for a good few years now, and have learnt so much from him – we’ve definitely got a mutual respect and he keeps me in check on tour. James has been a great guy to play with, and has a very timeless sound,” he says, before going on to list Carina Round, Ben Calvert and Jo Hamilton – who will

join him at his Birmingham show - among the current cream of the crop.

It is this shared appreciation and brotherly support for his contemporaries which marks the Wulfrunian out as an artist proud of his roots, and one not afraid to let inspiration from his local surroundings creep into his work.

“When I’m back from touring I still see the same characters around, not much changes. My music is escapism for me and hopefully the listener, so has a surreal or otherworldly feel.

“But the reality is that people and landscapes make their way in. I’ve

still got my house in Wolverhampton. There’s nothing like coming back from a tour, dropping the suitcase in the hall, seeing friends and family, it really brings that feeling of home and my roots back to me.”

A guitarist from the age of seven, Scott was spotted early on in his solo career by his now manager Martin Davies who along with his friend and ex-Felt guitarist Marco Thomas, set up the independent San Remo record label to turn that demo CD into Scott’s debut album Passing Strangers.

Since then, his star has continued to rise. A

page eleven major label deal with Island followed in 2006, hit single Elusive, taken from his debut, went on to beat Arctic Monkeys in the 2007 Ivor Novello awards, winning the accolade of Best Song Musically and Lyrically, while national airplay and comparisons to Jeff Buckley, John Martyn and Nick Drake have been plentiful.

Add to that sell-out headline shows, highprofile support slots with Foo Fighters and Rufus Wainwright and even a duet with Led Zeppelin’s legendary frontman Robert Plant on follow-up album Elsewhere, and it would be easy to wonder what could possibly come next for the mild-mannered singer.

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• Elsewhere is out now on the San Remo label, via Island Records.

• Scott Matthews plus guests will be at the Town Hall, Birmingham, on December 11.

• He also performs at Warwick Arts Centre on January 23 as part of Way to Blue: The Songs of Nick Drake.

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It seems consciously moving away from comparisons to Drake, Buckley and Martyn, and exploring the creative process of song writing are high on Scott’s list of priorities for the coming year.

“I guess it could be easy for an artist to become stagnant,” he says. ”I’m looking forward to introducing some radical changes to my writing and recording - exploring different formats and sounds like maybe doing Delta blues type stuff on a six track or experimenting with world music and trad-folk. Just generally working to a different set of rules – pushing myself and my music.”

Words by Lyle Bignon.

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page twelve

CODEINE VELVET CLUB The Fratellis’ frontman Jon Lawler has taken a break from writing chart-invading, terrace chant-inspiring singles with his main band to work on a film noir-inspired project alongside a burlesque dancer. Intrigued? You should be. Tom Pell finds out more.

“Indie front man starts band with burlesque dancer.”

Not exactly your everyday headline, is it?

But The Fratellis’ singer Jon Lawler insists we shouldn’t fixate on the burlesque issue.

He met Lou Hickey, the burlesque dancer in question, at the club where she works with Lawler’s wife.

“It’s not really my cup of tea,” he says.

“I’m not down on it or anything, some things in life just aren’t your thing. Like U2 aren’t really my thing, y’know?

“Life’s funny, cause it throws out little chance meetings and collaborations and you don’t necessarily have to have that much in common for it to work.”

So, what can we focus

on? Intrigue, it appears, as Codeine Velvet Club come to The Glee Club on December 7 asking a lot more questions than they are answering.

“I wouldn’t call it a side project,” Lawler insists.

“There’s too much nervous energy and excitement around it”.

But without calling it a whisper it - ‘side project’, it becomes very difficult to categorise the group.

Comparisons have been made to Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood, the latter of which Lawler had never heard of. “I had to go home and look him up! Then I realised I did know the songs - sometimes it seeps in without you noticing.

“Our influences were pretty vague; we were just trying to throw as much as we could into a little space. We knew we wanted a short

album, and we knew we wanted to cram as much in, even down to, like, getting the gospel choir down and stuff, just thinking, ‘what else can we do here?’. So it really wasn’t a template that came from any particular person or place.”

The sound, the style, the band’s name – it’s all very considered, it all fits. From the offset, images are conjured up of smoking jackets, whiskey tumblers and hazy members’ clubs, but Lawler simply notes that the name was put together through the sound of the words, rather than any deeper meaning.

“There’s something about sticking the word Codeine and Velvet together,” he explains. “And I’m not even sure that I’ve got the vocabulary to describe it to be honest, I just know that it sounds intriguing. It’s got

something. And it suits the music.”

All this style has been rewarded with a Scottish Style Award for most stylish band, not bad to say Codeine were up against moody, image-obsessed Glasvegas. And Biffy Clyro, but they just seem to run around with their tops off.

“It would be a lie to say that we hadn’t decided early on that we would present everything in a certain way.

I guess it’s just really obvious, y’know? You couldn’t play this music live in jeans and a t-shirt. It doesn’t make any sense. Why did Frank Sinatra wear a tuxedo?

“I wouldn’t want the style thing to get in the way of the music though. To be honest, I’m not really too interested in style. I like nice suits though, a nice well cut suit. But it comes

way behind the music.”

And, well it does. Because the music pleasantly delivers. At times bordering on a Bond theme, the echoladen, 60s vibe is cheery yet gloomy, repetitive yet diverse. Lou Hickey’s soulful, wistful, almost drunksounding delivery works beautifully with Lawler’s more direct, punchy, trademark Scottish twang.

Whether it will stand up over the course of an album as more than very cool background music remains to be seen, but as isolated tracks it certainly is a refreshing break from the norm.

With that norm in mind, what did Jon Lawler think

of 2009’s new music?

“Well, I thought Together Through Life, the Dylan album - was that this year?

(YEP!) That was pretty great, but then again, he is sort of my biggest musical passion so that’s a pretty obvious one for me. I’ve got to be honest, I haven’t bought anything else new!

“You could include the re-mastered Beatles stuff in there? It’s pretty sad to be honest. Pretty pathetic!

What else did I buy this year? I buy lots of stuff, but it’s always old stuff. I’ll probably kick myself later and think of something else.”

Words By Tom Pell

• Codeine Velvet Club play at The Glee Club, Birmingham on December 7.

• Debut album Codeine Velvet Club is out on December 28.

page fourteen

white lies With a number one album and a sell-out tour under their collective belt, gloommongers White Lies have more reason than most to celebrate the new year with a smile. Not that they show any signs of going easy on themselves in 2010.

“It’s been a whirlwind year” is one of those over-used phrases that is bandied about all too often, especially as the calendar counts down towards January.

But for brooding angstrockers White Lies, it is fair to say 2009 has been a full-on cyclone.

Starting off in January with the release of their debut album To Lose My Life, they whipped up a media storm when the record went hurtling straight in at number

one, shocking many including themselves.

The band admitted they were blown away by the feat and the gale force of success continued to propel them through a series of further highs throughout the seasons that followed, culminating in a sellout headline tour this month.

Not a bad way to top off an unforgettable year ahead of a well-earned Christmas break.

But there seems to be no

sign of resting on their laurels or letting the January blues get in the way of the next stage in their musical journey.

As one of the hardest working bands on the UK circuit, their intense work ethic reflects their intense sound and the steely determination looks set to propel them into the next decade with some gusto.

“It’s amazing to think we’ve pretty much circumnavigated the globe about four times

page fifteen

in the space of the year,” recalls bassist and chief songwriter Charles Cave.

“We’ve done more air miles than anyone I reckon, it’s amazing to think how much we’ve travelled.

“I’ve always been a bit of a workaholic, especially when it is something I love doing. I was never very good at school but if it’s something I’m really into then I will really go for it.

“I like a challenge and when somebody says ‘this

will be really hard work,’ then I throw myself into it.”

But even workaholics relish the chance to put their feet up – just not for too long it seems.

“We finish the tour on December 10 and then we’re off until about February 5, so it will be nice to have a break, definitely.

“Last December we were on tour with Glasvegas on their headline tour and then it was just all about getting ready for

the album launch.

“The album was well and truly finished months before that and we were doing everything that bands do in the build up, filming videos and that sort of thing.

“It was more than a surprise [to get to number one], we just didn’t understand. We were joking that it would be funny if it went into the top 10 which we didn’t really expect. It was a fantastic surprise and it was just great.

“That was the result of all the touring, as none of the singles had even got into the top 30 by then.

“It was just the live fanbase that we had built up so it was amazing that they did that for us.”

Despite a reputation built on their live shows – as is inevitably the way for most guitar bands breaking through – Charles says he is itching to get back to the studio as, for him, songwriting and touring do not mix.

“When you are recording you can’t wait to play the songs live and when you are playing live you can’t wait to start writing again.

“I know that right now what I’m most looking

forward to is writing and recording the next album next year.

“We’ve got ideas in super early stages but we’re waiting until we finish touring.

“We do things in a very intense way so once we get started its 9-5 every day and really going for it.

“When we get to actually recording it we’ll be working 12 hours a day pretty much.

“We put ourselves under quite a lot of pressure so we need to be prepared for that.

“For that reason I hope it won’t take forever to write and record the next record but at the same time it’s got to be, in our

eyes, 10 times better than the first one, we won’t settle for anything less.

“We’ll want to play some

page seventeen shows and some festivals that we didn’t play this year so we’d like to finish most of the writing and recording by next summer, whether or not that’s possible remains to be seen.

“It’s quite a lengthy process for us. We really get into the arranging of songs, a lot of them have unconventional structures and arrangements and that can take a very long time to finish.”

So, with the plethora of jaunty, electro beat combos pervading the airwaves, can we expect any radical departures from their gloomy old rock? Any new avenues for White Lies?

“Certainly not anything dancey,” insists Charles.

“There have been a few ideas that we touched on with the first album that we can take further.

“There was a full string section for a couple of tracks on the first album for example, but that was really toned down.

“It would be easier to do that in a much more balls-on-the-table kind of way. We are excited about being a bit more adventurous and

experimental.

“But we are all very much fascinated by the idea of a great pop song as well.”

Words by Sean O’Muir.

• White Lies play the O2 Academy in Birmingham on December 5.

page eighteen

live

THE FLAMING LIPS 02 Academy, Birmingham Nov 17

A hamster ball, on top of the crowd, after emerging from a glowing lady’s space vagina... Now that’s an entrance.

Following the entry theatrics, The Flaming Lips kicked off the music with joyous anthem Race for the Prize, filling the room with masses of balloons, punctuated with explosions of ticker tape and flanked by dancing yetis. Frontman Wayne Coyne’s face was projected onto the big semi-circular screen at the back as he sang, resembling the baby-faced sun from the Teletubbies. All this created a hyperactive party atmosphere, one which surely could not be sustained throughout.

Unfortunately that was the case. After a few classics including a slow, teasing rendition of Fight Test, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Pt 1, and more fun with giant balloons, the band moved onto some newer, bleaker, more raucous material, turning the gig into something of an endurance test.

All was not lost, however, as soon the more well-known and upbeat tunes returned. The Floyd-esque Pompeii Am Gotterdammerung and the rollicking, bass-driven rally against America’s wars The W.A.N.D brought the energy and excitement back to the set.

Finishing with Do You Realize??, The Flaming Lips came full circle back to the streamer-strewn party vibe, ending the night on a high with a wave of their patented optimism and papering over some of the sensory overload of the middle-section of the set.

Words: Ian Ravenscroft Pics: Katja Ogrin

page nineteen SWAMPMEAT The Victoria, Birmingham Nov 20

CHEW LIPS The Flapper, Birmingham Nov 24

As the wind swirled around outside, the welcoming underbelly of The Flapper was a veritable safe haven from the elements, but was whipping up a storm of its own on stage.

Main support act I Thee Lothario have all the swagger and ambition of stadium rockers and luckily they have the sound to back up their pretensions.

Palatable chunks of guitar, simmering synths and bellowing melodies combine perfectly and the Birmingham-band even manage to make the saxophone look cool.

The star quality continued as hotly-tipped Brum Notes

November cover stars Chew Lips snuck on stage. The London trio bowled out a belting set of electro-soaked disco pop. Engaging, elfin, Debbie Harry-inspired singer Tigs looks and acts very much a star, gracefully posturing while floating out faultless melodies against a backdrop of trickling synths, handclaps and foot-shuffling beats.

The endearing, bleepy tones of Slick were a treat, while the math-pop pulses of Seven drew approving bounces from the audience.

Glorious single Salt Air was an obvious highlight, while the majestic groove of the slower Gold Key gave an exciting taste of what is to come from their forthcoming debut album. Be excited.

Words: James Collins Pic: Jemma Dodd

It’s a freezing cold Friday night, but upon entering The Vic all is forgotten as we are surrounded by the bold and beautiful of Birmingham, while listening to DJs playing Nick Cave...

This could only be Coldrice.

The pioneering promoters were hosting the night to mark the release of riotous rockabilly band Swampmeat’s latest album, Camp Heartbreak.

Opening up were Vinny and The Curse, whose lo-fi setup made way for a meaty set of goth and roll garage which shook the room to its core, sounding like a jam between The Stooges and Cramps covering Modern Lovers tracks. For their final song the band were joined on stage by John Solomon, which saw Vinny join the audience for some Jagger– esqe swagger.

This paved the way for local favourites Swampmeat, who, looking as slick as ever, tore into Brand New Cadillac, before rattling through their set which was over all too soon.

The combination of Danny C’s incredible vocals with T–Bird’s understated drumming underpinning the songs, makes for an irresistible set of songs which, whether a fan of rockabilly or not, there’s no denying are incredibly difficult not to love.

For the finale, Swampmeat were joined on stage by Vinny & The Curse for a two-drummer, duel-guitarist cover of The Gories I Think I’ve Had It, which provided

a fitting end to a showcase of two of Birmingham’s brightest lights. Go buy the album now!

Words: Matt Beck

MUSE The NIA, Birmingham Nov 10

From the high ground, small pin pricks of light, the camera screens of a thousand people, are illuminating the dark mass-like lanterns on a tempestuous sea. The triple towers collapse before our eyes and upon plinths they stand before us. Ribs shudder to the rolling bass line of Uprising, first track off recent album The Resistance. Swathes of Eastern Bloc imagery transmogrify into blocks of scrolling data and before we can catch breath, we’re into the title track of the aforementioned long player.

We’re trying to recover as spectacular laser displays circle the auditorium and New Born squeals into life. The seething mass of audience members under the green shafts of light are reminiscent of a bubbling swamp floor, lit from above by tinted rays that have found their way through the forest canopy. The sensation is near primeval.

Their plinths lower and bring the band back to earth like fallen demi-gods, but still they command this army at their feet. “Give me your heart and your soul,” sings frontman Matt Bellamy in Hysteria. Several thousand fans answer the request willingly.

After a slowing in pace which takes in the United

page twenty States of Eurasia, easily the best Queen song since Freddie Mercury passed away, and their inimitable cover of Nina Simone’s Feeling Good, the big guns are wheeled out and Starlight is followed with Plug in Baby.

The audience is worked from side to side by Bellamy, encouraging them to sing choruses on his behalf.

Balloons appear above the heads of the crowd and the lights go out after a huge rendition of Unnatural Selection.

Of course, there’s the obligatory encore, beginning with Exogenesis part 1. The heaving mass is tiring but manages to relocate enough fuel cells to power a final explosion of emotion for the anthemic Knights of Cydonia.

And that’s it. Nothing more left to give, Muse exit the stage in triumph leaving the spent corpses of the blissfully fulfilled strewn in their wake.

Words: Jeff Stuka

Cosmo Jarvis

Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath Nov 10

After two support acts; the Daniel Day Lewis-a-like, poetry-reading, wrong place, wrong time enigma that was Andre Aristotle and Philly G, who, sadly, couldn’t have been more middle of the road if they were dressed as the hedgehogs from the road safety adverts; on walked Cosmo Jarvis, accompanied by his little brother on drums, a bassist and a second guitarist - who all looked about 17.

After the opener You’ve Got Your Head, Cosmo’s acoustic guitar was swapped for an electric for Clean My Room, which musically borrows as much from Sheryl Crow as it does the Arctic Monkeys. Infusing country tones and slide guitar with Cosmo’s trademark snappy lyrics, “Gonna clean my room and dump my girlfriend” becomes, “Gonna burn my room and kill my girlfriend,” ending the song

on a sudden, dark, shocking note, as the slide guitar still resonates confusingly in your brainbox.

Not one to be pigeonholed, as soon as the moody teenager lyrics had left we dined on delicious falsetto moments in Sort Yourself Out and Gone, Like You, before yet another guitar solo melted our faces off.

Who is this kid?!

New single Problems was simply epic. Fletcher Jarvis abandoned his conventional drum kit in favour of an ol’ fashioned, big drum and a mallet-drumstick combination, then kept it calm while Cosmo weaved the intricate story of the verse until the biggest ‘ker-clunk’ in rock music since Radiohead’s Creep raised the decibel level for the anthemic, angstfuelled chant of a chorus that sent a chill down the spine. Awesome.

And then, 30 seconds later, he swapped his electric guitar for a mandolin, and ended on a song entitled Gay Pirates, which was as camp as Christmas. Told you he was an interesting character didn’t I? Words: Tom Pell Pic: James Martin

Biffy Clyro O2 Academy, Birmingham Nov 10

COSMO JARVIS

Biffy Clyro have long been a band on the up and in front of a sell out crowd in Birmingham, they looked ready to take on the world.

Pulled Apart By Horses started the night off with a riotous live set. Mixing indie and post-hardcore, the energy they opened with was relentless, definitely one

to watch.

Manchester Orchestra brought a sense of serenity and energy combined. Their poetic, passionate music sometimes Bright Eyeesque, sometimes breaking into a more aggressive, pained flow of vocals and riffs. Wolves At Night and Pride were stand-out tracks.

As for the night’s headliners, Biffy, they are known for their intense live shows and once again they proved why.

‘The Biff ’ definitely weren’t on the go-slow, rattling off an impressive 24 songs, playing Puzzle almost in its entirety and seven tracks off Only Revolutions.

The set pleased the mass of fans that has been drawn to the band by the last two albums. Long-time followers were treated to live classics like 57, Glitter and Trauma, Justboy and an amazing rendition of Liberate the Illiterate. It’s a hard challenge for a band to play to both camps, new and the old, but Biffy succeeded with energy and atmosphere by the bucket-load.

Words: Matt Higgs

Youves/ Calories/ Tantrums The Flapper, Birmingham Nov 9

On a freezing cold, drizzlefilled Monday night, only a belter of a line-up could suffice - and it did.

First up, the indie-meetsdubstep-meets-drum-andbass-meets-all-out-rock of Tantrums. Fast becoming the leading sparklers of the local scene, they kick off in a wail of energy, rapid fire drum beats, bass hooks

page twenty-one and melody galore, very young but most certainly not dumb. The set ends with one highly abused keyboard getting the sh*t kicked out of it.

Next up are Calories, currently on the final round of promoting debut album Adventuring ahead of a new EP release on Big Scary Monsters and album number two on Smalltown America next year. Packed with power reminiscent of Hot Snakes and Weezer when they were good and with cracking down-to-earth but oddly aloof between-song banter, Calories manage to raise the bar even higher than Tantrums’ impressive opening set. Songs Forest of Varg, Drink the Potion and Caught in the In-between are masterful examples and the two new songs fans are treated to show progression that demonstrates this band won’t stand still too long.

Last up are Youves, a highly excitable five piece with an unashamedly NYC sound which has been plucked from The Rapture, masked with The Foals and delivered as themselves. They draw an impressive audience for a Monday and shoot through a set that never lets up, no ballads nor acoustic tremblings with this bunch, they leave the crowd exasperated and elated with a set full of fun, groove, hooks and tight guitars.

Whether the Flapper was hot enough to require removal of upper body garments is open to debate, but who cares at the end of what was a fine assault of noise from all three of the bands?

Words: Derek Fudge

MISTY’S BIG ADVENTURE Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath Oct 30

Take a pinch of The Bonzos and The New Vaudeville Band, add some possible weapons-grade hallucinogens and off you go. Oh, and yes, a moon-fazed, face-painted, Bez-like stage dancer who’s outfit consists of myriad luminescent, inflated Marigold gloves that bounce about in disturbingly mutated multi-udder motions.

The stage is crammed full but in the seemingly seething mayhem they know exactly what they’re doing.

Gareth, provides the principal magicked theatricals as frontman; the rhythm section’s so biting it would have a Komodo dragon rolling on its back wanting a tummy tickle. Name the genre, they’re on the case - rock, steady-beat, syncopated waltz, screwy jazz-pop, add a dab of dub Beefheart and you just surrender up to the style surfing.

Don’t dismiss Misty’s as superficial kitsch. Their battery-acid dry take on superficiality, cynical drivel and the bland-nanza of vox-pop voted, ephemeral momentary triumphs is a dish to be savoured. This band are truly, barkingly wonderful.

Words: John Kennedy

PHOENIX O2 Academy 2, Birmingham Oct 24

Phoenix bring Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, 2009’s best record, to Birmingham.

It is an album that sounds

bigger and fuller than if you played all their earlier efforts together simultaneously, a sonic feat that should largely be accredited to producer and Cassius bloke, Philippe Zdar.

Together with the band’s knack for a tune, they have produced an album of perfectly polished pop music. And no, I don’t understand why they haven’t gained any real commercial success, but whatevs (that’s ‘whatever’ for cool people).

Despite this injustice, they are at the peak of their career so far. As they look out over a full Academy 2, it’s clear to see each member is frickin’ lovin’ i’(it with a silent ‘t’).

Opening with Lisztomania is an inspired choice, the instantly identifiable opening piano riff draws a joyful rumble from the crowd, all of which seems to be made up of devoted Phoenix fans. If singles still mattered, Love Like A Sunset (Parts I and II), Too Young, 1901 and Lasso would all be top five hits and Everything is Everything and Run, Run, Run remind us all that Phoenix have always had it.

Seriously, if you haven’t heard Wolfgang… yet, buy it. While you vibe off it, I’ll wait impatiently for the follow-up, Ludwig Van Phoenix… Don’t leave me hangin’.

Words: José Jones

THE FELICE BROTHERS The Glee Club, Birmingham Oct 19

T’aint fair for bands like The Felice Brothers. Massively

appreciated by the more mature listener but with a live act that is raucous and more suited to a younger crowd.

On a Monday night in October The Glee Club crowd was definitely nudging towards the older end of the scale. This is fine in many ways but The Felice Brothers are a band that deserve a wilder, shall we say, more strident audience, rather than a bunch of middle-aged blokes sagely stroking their greying beards or appreciatively nodding their balding craniums. And so, while the music and performance was excellent, the night never really took off because the crowd wasn’t up for it, seemingly not willing to risk a hangover on a work night. You watch The Felice Brothers getting into it, playing lots of different instruments, passing round a bottle of whiskey and climbing on things and feel a little bit embarrassed to be part of an audience that just stands there gawping.

There were a few people trying their best to get things going at one side of the stage, singing along or even dancing, but they are soon bullied into submission by the indignant stares of the chin-strokers. Don’t get me wrong, every song went down well, everyone was enjoying the gig, but that was only expressed through applause between songs and this is music that demands movement on the part of the listener for optimum effect. A bit of revelry. This is supposed to be fun...

Anyway, final score: Felice Brothers 5, Audience 0.

Words: Stuart Charles

page twenty-two

records: Still don’t know what to put in your letter to Santa? Then take a look at our guide to the best records of 2009, as chosen by some of our favourite bands, writers and friends...

Lorenzo sillitto from aussie epic rockers the temper trap: 1. Lungs by FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE 2. Fever Ray by FEVER RAY 3. Sigh No More by MUMFORD AND SONS

DELPHIC frontman Richard:

1. Merriweather Post Pavilion by ANIMAL COLLECTIVE 2. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by PHOENIX 3. Two Dancers by WILD BEASTS

Tigs

from

Ed Lay, drummer with adopted Brummie chart-toppers Editors: 1. Kings & Queens

by JAMIE T 2. Sounds of the Universe by DEPECHE MODE. 3. Union by The Boxer Rebellion

ips:

l chew

1. Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear

Le Duchess Anne er selves. Yes, commercial - in a way that the experimental sound of their form “Beautiful and melodic but retaining any of their credibility. Amazing.” never tried to be - but without losing know if this Youth 2. The Eternal by Sonic Youth that hasn’t been said before. Don’t get older. Can’t say much about Sonic they as ious feroc more get they “I think ?” record would win new fans, but who cares Machines to this band at Bestival that he Wave by e Ther lly Rea re You’ If e real groove. My friend danced so hard 3. Wav music, great vocals, great beats. It has le simp ingly seem al, minim really “Just awesome sounds, broke his foot. He said it was worth it.”

page twenty-three

best of 2009 Ted from folk sensations MUMFORD & SONS: 1. Conditions by THE TEMPER TRAP 2. Notes from the Treehouse by Alessi’s Ark “It’s a masterpiece. It’s quite folky and she’s a pretty out there chick, and she’s in her own world and she’s just one of the most original songwriters out there.

3. Reservoir by FANFARLO “It’s bloody good.”

PR guru, Brum Notes writer and arm-breaking gig-goer Lyle Bignon: 1. Lungs by FLORENCE & THE MACHINE 2. Skanky Skanky by TODDLA T 3. Sub Focus by SUB FOCUS Deck-spinner, promoter and TiT man Matt Beck: 1. Veckatimest by GRIZZLY BEAR 2. Adventuring by CALORIES 3. Girls by GIRLS Birmingham promoting machine Carlo from the aptly-named Birmingham Promoters: 1. Two Dancers by WILD BEASTS 2. A Balloon Called Moaning

by THE JOY FORMIDABLE 3. Baby Darling Doll Face Honey by BAND OF SKULLS Brum Notes editor and wise old mystic Sean O’Muir: 1. Wall of Arms by THE MACCABEES 2. Two Suns by BAT FOR LASHES 3. Sigh No More by MUMFORD & SONS

Charles from WHITE LIES: 1. Bitte Orca

by Dirty Projectors “It is really fantastic. It’s very strange but really interesting and different sounding but some of it is really catchy as well. They are one of the most original sounding bands out there.”

2. Fever Ray by FEVER RAY “We’ve all been really into that, it’s been really inspiring for us.”

3. Two Dancers by WILD BEASTS “Jack (Lawrence-Brown, drummer) really loves their second album, but I still love the first one as well.”

COPY HAHO frontman Joe: 1. I Blame You by OBITS 2. The Golden Spike by SKY LARKIN 3. Bitte Orca by DIRTY PROJECTORS Nathan Nicholson, frontman from The Boxer REBELLION:

1. Broken by SOULSAVERS 2. Wall of Arms by The Maccabees 3. Conditions by THE TEMPER TRAP

page twenty-four

food & drink

It’s the party season and the chances are it’s pretty miserable outside. So what better way to warm up and get into the spirit of the season than with some nice, warming, make-you-feel-all-fuzzy-inside, festive drinks? Manager of Island, Birmingham’s finest rock and roll cocktail bar, Matt Marriott talks us through a couple of old favourites...

“One of the most important aspects of festive drinks is that they should be warming, either because they are literally warm or because they are rich,” explains Matt.

“I also like to make a large batch drinks for everyone to share - t’is the season for giving after all.”

Mulled Wine M “ ulled wine is one of those drinks where everyone has their own idea of what’s the best recipe. At Island we are currently offering our own secret recipe that has been perfected over several years, but I can’t tell you exactly what that is! Here’s another of my recipes, the spices can easily be adjusted to suit your own tastes.”

3 bottles Merlot (or similar) 1/2 bottle port Peel of 3 oranges (no pith) 1/2 nutmeg, grated 2 cinnamon sticks 1 tbsp cloves 2 tbsp brown sugar Place all ingredients into a large saucepan and place over a very low heat. Do not allow to boil, the longer you have it on the heat the more the mulled flavour will develop. Serve warm.

Eggnog “This is an American concoction that is directly descended from an old English drink called the Sack Posset - a mix of sherry, milk and eggs. Again this is a versatile drink, I prefer to use rum as the main spirit but a lot of people favour cognac.”

6 eggs 500ml whole milk 250ml double milk 150ml gold or dark rum (I like to use Appleton V/X) 75ml Cognac (preferably VS) Seeds of 1/3 vanilla pod 100g caster sugar.

Beat the eggs. Add the sugar and continue to beat until it’s all dissolved. Add the other ingredients and stir to combine. Place in fridge and allow to cool for 1-2 hours, serve cold, garnished with grated nutmeg or a sprinkling of chocolate powder.

page twenty-five

win

We have a pair of tickets to give away to three of this month’s hottest gigs.

Send all your answers to: competitions@brumnotes.com.

Top notch Brummie promo ters This is Tomorrow return to The Victoria on December 14, with a headline show from CO PY HAHO. To win a pair of tickets, tell us: • What country are Copy Haho from?

Answers by December 13 .

Dance pioneers The Herbaliser will be at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath along with a full live band on December 5, tickets £12 advance.

To win free entry for two, tell us: • What is the name of The Herbaliser’s debut album?

Answers in quick sharp by December 4.

see Danish To win two tickets to RAVEOrock and rollers THE & Hounds NETTES at the Hare tell us: on December 17, rs are there in • How many membe the band? r 16

Answers by Decembe

the free, m

guide to music

onthly

AND lifestyle acro ss Birmingham and the

West Midla nd

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Pick up the latest issue from your favourite bar, pub, club, shop, venue or other cultural hotspot across Birmingham, Wolverhampton and around the region. Free every month.

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Contact advertising@brumnotes.com.

page twenty-seven

gig guide THE REGION’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE MONTHLY GUIDE TO GIGS OF ALL SIZES

PICK OF THE MONTH:

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.

For latest information and ticket details visit: www.brumnotes.com.

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.

Be good kids.

GIGS 1. CAPSULE 10TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT, Dec 2, Town Hall, Birmingham Folktronica stars Tunng headline a night of music celebrating 10 years of innovative promoters Capsule. Tickets £12.50, www.thsh.co.uk.

2. CODEINE VELVET CLUB, Dec 7, The Glee Club, Birmingham Stylish film noir-inspired side project from The Fratellis’ frontman Jon Lawler.

Tickets £8, www.glee.co.uk.

3. BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB, Dec 11, O2 Academy 2 Frisky yet fragile indie pop from London four-piece.

Tickets £9.50, www.ticketweb.co.uk.

4. CHEW LIPS, SCARLET HARLOTS AND MORE, Dec 16, The Victoria, Birmingham It’s the Brum Notes Magazine Christmas Party, as if you didn’t know. Live bands, DJs, Christmas stories, festive food and drink. Tickets £5 adv, www.theticketsellers.co.uk.

5. CALORIES, SUNSET CINEMA CLUB, Dec 23, Island Bar, Birmingham Festive frolics from some of Birmingham’s finest.

Tickets £4, www.myspace.com/thisistomorrowuk.

CLUB NIGHTS 1. mixmag tour Dec 5, Custard Factory Spread across four arenas with more than 20 DJs including A-Trak and Kissy Sell Out, plus live bands.

2. ATTA GIRL Dec 12, Island Bar Club night of female vocalists, with Sugarfoot Stomp DJs, free mince pies. £1 entry.

3. BOXING DAY BRAWL Dec 26, Rainbow Warehouse Rag & Bone and Gutter Skank DJs fight it out across the Warehouse and Garden.

NEW YEAR’S EVE ROUND-UP: Slammin’ Vinyl will be taking over the freshly revamped LG Arena and NEC halls for a spectacular night of DJs and dance action, claiming to be the UK’s biggest New Year’s Eve party. Expect hardcore, drum & bass, old skool, techno and hard dance from the likes of Grooverider, Nicky Blackmarket, Alex Kidd, Lisa Lashes and Headhunterz, plus a whole load more. Tickets are a whopping £47.50 from www.slamminvinyl.com. Around 3,000 people are expected to cram into THE BIG CUSTARD FACTORY FESTIVAL at, you guessed it, The Custard Factory in Digbeth. Offering five arenas boasting the likes of Scratch Perverts, Get Carter and Ali B. Early bird tickets for £15 at www.theticketsellers.co.uk. The courtyard at The Rainbow in Digbeth will host a more intimate EXTRAVAGANZA from 90s club nights Crunch and Wobble, plus Enid Blight On in the bar. Early bird a fiver, full price £10. The nearby Rainbow Warehouse & Garden will lay on THE NYE CIRCUS, presented by dance promoters Glas & TRMNL. Island and The Victoria will be doubling up once again, with one ticket offering entry to both venues throughout the night to enjoy the likes of Hard Cheese, Cold Rice and This is Tomorrow, with early bird tickets £8. Soul music and hot BBQ food will be served up at The Lord Clifden in Hockley, while The Glee Club will be chuckling into 2010 with stand-up comedy from Andy Robinson, Sean Collins, Junior Simpson and Jim Tavare, for £29.50.

TUESDAY, DEC 1 Killswitch Engage, In Flames, O2 Academy, Birmingham The Living End, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham Future Of The Left, Tubelord, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham WILL YOUNG, The NIA, Birmingham

IAN BROUDIE, JAMES WALSH, The Glee Club, Birmingham WEDNESDAY, DEC 2 The Cribs, O2 Academy, Birmingham Bless The Fall, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham SIMPLE MINDS, OMD, LG Arena, Birmingham GOOD SHOES, WILD PALMS, THIS BEAUTIFUL THIEF, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath

CAPSULE 10TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT ft TUNNG & MORE, Town Hall, Birmingham THURSDAY, DEC 3 Paloma Faith, O2 Academy, Birmingham ELLA EDMONDSON, The Glee Club, Birmingham DANIELLA BOVE, DAVID BALLARD, The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham CHRIS HELME (EXSEAHORSES), Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath FRIDAY, DEC 4

DELPHIC, O2 Academy, Birmingham Kevin Devine, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham THE MIDDLE ONES, THE BUMBLEBEES,

Island Bar, Birmingham SEA FIELDS, The Flapper, Birmingham XOVA, DEAN JAMES, The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham REGARDS, The Rainbow, Digbeth CHRIS WOOD, Moseley All Services Club, Moseley VINYL, The Station, Kings Heath

ANARCHIST COOKBOOK, The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham

SATURDAY, DEC 5

SUNDAY, DEC 6 Gunfire 76, Bullets,Octane, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham Dead Confederate, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham CLUBLAND LIVE 3, The NIA, Birmingham

White Lies, O2 Academy, Birmingham Raveology Episode II, O2 Academy, Birmingham The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Little Palm, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham Random Hand, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham STATUS QUO, LG Arena, Birmingham THE VEHICLES, EL LOVELLE, JUPITER ATE, The Flapper, Birmingham JODIE & THE JET PLANE, THE ARCHIVES, THE NEEDLESS ALLIES, Sound Bar, Birmingham

THE HERBALISER (LIVE), Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath

MONDAY, DEC 7 Natalie Imbruglia, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham Sonic Syndicate, Speed Theory, Adust, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham CHAOS ACOUSTIC CLUB, The Victoria, Birmingham CODEINE VELVET CLUB, The Glee Club, Birmingham OCEAN REID, GOODNIGHT LENIN, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath

TUESDAY, DEC 8 Goldie Lookin’ Chain, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham PLACEBO, LG Arena, Birmingham LOWLINE, The Flapper, Birmingham THE CROOKES, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath WEDNESDAY, DEC 9

Birmingham CAPTAIN HORIZON, THE DEAFOUT, The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham Liner, The Lamp Lighters, Silent Riot, Decades, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham THE COSMIC JERKS, INDIE KIDS, The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham FRIDAY, DEC 11

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, O2 Academy, Birmingham The Crave Alunah, My Great Affliction, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham BEN HOWARD, The Glee Club, Birmingham THE BOOKHOUSE BOYS, BLACK GOLD, MR BONES & THE DREAMERS, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath THURSDAY, DEC 10 Madness, O2 Academy, Birmingham Kids in Glass Houses, Young Guns, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham KATE RUSBY, Town Hall, Birmingham

DETROIT SOCIAL CLUB, The Rainbow, Digbeth THE MANHATTAN PROJECT, The Station, Kings Heath

SATURDAY, DEC 12 Shed Seven, O2 Bombay Bicycle Club, O2 Academy 2, Academy, Birmingham Electric Six, Birmingham O2 Academy 2, PARAMORE, The Birmingham NIA, Birmingham Octane OK, Room 94, A Room for Two, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham DANIEL O’DONNELL, The NIA, Birmingham RAY DAVIES, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THE TAMBORINES, THE VELVET TEXAS, The Victoria, Birmingham SCOTT MATTHEWS, ROGUE STATES, MIRRORKICKS, Town Hall, BLAK CAN, The Birmingham MONDAY SESSION, Flapper, Birmingham HENRYS Sound Bar,

CHILDREN, BLUE NATION, The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham SUNDAY, DEC 13 Marilyn Manson, O2 Academy, Birmingham Pint Shot Riot, Page 44, The Skyline, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham DEPECHE MODE, LG Arena, Birmingham SPY CATCHER, The Flapper, Birmingham CANDY BOX BURLESQUE CLUB, The Glee Club, Birmingham MONDAY, DEC 14 Them Crooked Vultures, O2 Academy, Birmingham Set Your Goals, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham

COPY HAHO, The Victoria, Birmingham TUESDAY, DEC 15 Public Image Ltd, O2 Academy, Birmingham

DAVID GRAY, Symphony Hall, Birmingham WEDNESDAY, DEC 16

CHEW LIPS, SCARLET HARLOTS, IS I CINEMA, LITTLE PALM, The Victoria, Birmingham The Pogues, O2 Academy, Birmingham ispystrangers, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham

IMELDA MAY, Town Hall, Birmingham THE TWANG, The Rainbow Warehouse, Digbeth

THURSDAY, DEC 17 The Wonderstuff, O2 Academy, Birmingham LULU, CHAKA KHAN, ANASTACIA, Town Hall, Birmingham THE UKULELE ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN, Town Hall, Birmingham THE LATES, The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham

SHOW, SHAPES, ALL OR NOTHING, The Flapper, Birmingham APOLLOMY, MY SECRET LIFE, The Actress & Bishop, Birmingham NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION, The Rainbow, Digbeth EVENTUALLY, The Station, Kings Heath SATURDAY, DEC 19

Ian Brown, O2 Academy, Birmingham PET SHOP BOYS, The NIA, Birmingham THE GIVE IT UPS, STANDARD FARE, The Victoria, Birmingham BLAKFISH XMAS

SUNDAY, DEC 20 New Education, Island Three, Riding Giants, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham THE CINEMATICS, THE SCHOLARS, COPIOUS, The Rainbow, Digbeth MONDAY, DEC 21 UB40, LG Arena, Birmingham THIS LOVE AFFAIR, The Yardbird, Birmingham TUESDAY, DEC 22 Allbright, The Return, Faded, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham MILEY CYRUS, LG Arena, Birmingham

THE RAVEONETTES, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath FRIDAY, DEC 18

& Bishop, Birmingham

Babyshambles, O2 Academy, Birmingham Strangle Kojak, O2 Academy 2, Birmingham JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS RHYTHM & BLUES ORCHESTRA, The NIA, Birmingham BLACK VOICES CHRISTMAS CONCERT, Town Hall, Birmingham BLACK MARKET EMPIRE, The Flapper, Birmingham KINN, THE COYOTES, HOODOO FIFTIES, The Actress

WEDNESDAY,DEC 23 MILEY CYRUS, LG Arena, Birmingham

CALORIES, SUNSET CINEMA CLUB, Island Bar, Birmingham THE LIGHTS, LAURA BOWEN, DECEPTIONS POCKET, The Flapper, Birmingham