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June 1, 2012May 11, 2014

Ed’s… Highlights, June ‘12

Full of bright colours, loud laughter and sunsh… well colours and laughter, B’HAM PRIDE 2012 kicks of the month with a glorious musical kitsch fest.

Running over two days and various venues, all in and around Southside, most fun is to be had at The Nightingale – where a plastic fantastic Saturday 2^ndline up proffers; The Saturdays, Kerry Katona, Scootch, Stooshe and Baby D. Sunday’s a touch more respectable, with disco & funky house heads; Lonnie Gordon, Sash, Angie Brown and Livin’ Joy, followed by some dubious girl power from The Cheeky Girls and Sonia. And one for the boys… Scott Mills. Hardly seems fair now does it?

Check out www.birminghampride.com for full details, including the full break down of DJs appearing in the Chic dance arena; although at the time of writing it was just Judge Jules on the listings.

Plus for the gay-straight-bi curious-smart-casual’s of House yesteryear, Tin Tins Club – Re Union is taking over The Rooftop with Chad Lewis, Mark Jarman, James Dean, DJ Gail, Pete Graham and more (Sun 3^rd). Thank god it’s a Bank Holiday.

Elsewhere in t’city; Shabaka Hutchings and Sons of Kemet & David Grey’s Greyish Quartet (H&H, Weds 6^th), Maximo Park (Glee Club, Weds 6^th), The Musgraves (BBallroom, Fri 8^th), Lucy Wainwright Roache (H&H, Weds 13^th), Raghu Dixit (Town Hall, Weds 13^th), Sam Sparro (O2 Academy, Thurs 14^th), Elton John ( LG Arena, Fri 15^th), Cara Luft (Kitchen Garden Café, Tues 19^th), Omar (Jam House, Thurs 21^st), Kate Nash (Glee Club, Sun 24^th), Carly Connor (H&H, Tues 26^th), Alanis Morrisette (O2 Academy, Tues 26^th), Editors (HMV Institute, Tues 26^th & Weds 27^th), Nas (HMV Institute, Thurs 28^th) and Marina & the Diamonds (HMV Institute, Fri 29^th).

With a special, non-sardines-listing mention, to Below’s 7^th Birthday (Rainbow Venues, Sun 3^rd). Three quarters of a decade old, the boys who built the (post Med Bar) face of Digbeth are ‘avin it large – out on the street for 12 hours with; Bloody Mary, Jordan Peak, Alex Arnout, Jane Fitz, Adam Shelton and more.

And for anyone wanting an earlier night out this month, check out Boyce Avenue with support from Tyler Hilton (O2 Academy, Sat 16^th); but leave before Boyce Avenue, who sound like the bastard child of Gary Barlow and Savage Garden. Otherwise it’s a rare chance to see a Hotel Cafe stalwart in Brum. More singing than dancing.

N.B. Ingrid Michaelson was also due to support Boyce Avenue, but has recently cancelled her UK gigs. For further info click on her name, or visit http://www.ingridmichaelson.com

You can follow Ed King at www.twitter.com/edking2210

May 1, 2012January 16, 2013

Ed’s… Highlights, May ’12

Before it becomes mandatory to wear a neon wristband and argue with Group 4 to see your favourite bands, the merry, merry month of May has some tasty festival hors d’oeuvres.

Can’t believe I’m making festival references already, wasn’t it snowing last month? Meanwhile, somewhere indoors…

Newton Faulkner and Emily and the Woods share the O2 Academy stage (May 4^th), followed by Quantic & Alice Russell in one room – We Are Augustines in t’other at the Hare & Hounds (May 6^th). Hardly seems fair, TEAR DOWN THE WALLS.

Whilst back in town, like some blue rose stealing fairytale, Marina & the Diamonds play the HMV Institute (May 11^th) before the Happy Mondays return to the O2 Academy – supported by Inspiral Carpets (May 12^th).

Continuing the flashback, Ozric Tentacles come to the Hare & Hounds (May 13^th) before Aha front man and Casio Kids benefactor, Morten Harket, plays the Symphony Hall (May 14^th). Cue jokes about Blue Penguins and everything looking 2D… you’ll either get that or you won’t.

Staying at the Symphony Hall, ‘an overture of five uninterrupted rock and roll tunes announces Elvis Costello and the Imposters to the stage, after which members of the audience are invited to spin the gigantic vaudevillian contraption and select the next song’. It’s billed as the ‘Spectacular Spinning Songbook’ (May 15^th), and I’ve honestly no idea.

Then the 1^st big merry comes as Jimmy Cliff plays one of only two 2 English dates at the Birmingham Ballroom (May 20^th). It might be a Glastonbury hangover, it might be a new album, but the King of Kings(ton – see what I did there) is coming to Dale End; in a laudable coup for the Ballroom.

The 2^nd is Guns N’ Roses at the LG Arena (May 25^th), which is either the best or worst idea in the world. Hard not to get excited about this one, but experience has taught me not to trust long blondes who scream from the late 80’s/early 90’s.

Also worth mentioning ; Ladyhawke (The Glee Club / May 6^th), Estelle (HMV Institute / May 14^th), Martyn Joseph (H&H / May 17^th), Harvey Milk (H&H / May 22^nd), Niki & the Dove (HMV Institute / May 22^nd), Poppy & the Jezebels (H&H / May 23^rd), Gemma Hayes (The Glee Club / May 27^th), THePETEBOX (Birmingham Ballroom / May 29^th), Peter Hook & the Light – performing ‘Unknown Pleasures’ (O2 Academy (May 30^th), Dionne Warwick (Symphony Hall / May 31^st) and Gary Numan (HMV Institute / May 31^st).

And although premature and contrary to my intro, when did that stop me, look out for the Lunar Festival – Tanworth in Arden (Umberslade Estate / June 1^st – 4^th). Deservedly sneaking into the May listings, this new 500 capacity foray of Folk has; Fionn Regan, Scott Matthews, Michael Chapman, Rachel Sermanni, Goodnight Lennin and Hannah Peel , in ‘an intimate camping weekend of acoustic music set in the spiritual home of Nick Drake’.

All that’s missing is ‘back rubs from Hope Sandoval’, but you can’t have everything – for more visit www.lunarfestival.co.uk

You can follow Ed King at www.twitter.com/edking2210

April 2, 2012May 11, 2014

Ed’s… Highlights, Apr ’12

In the most chocolaty of months, research has been made, the sweetest place to be is The Glee. Club. Honestly, save yourself some time. Just reserve a chair and stay put.

Kicking off are Minnesota ‘slowcore’ trio Low (2^nd Apr), a term both hated and aptly descriptive, followed a week later by one of the Felice brothers, Simone, fronting his cunningly titled solo project – The Simone Felice Group (9^th Apr).

Just enough time to shower, shit, shave, and it’s The Futureheads (10^th Apr); in Brum on their A Cappella and Acoustic Tour. Another clue in the title.

Then the welcome return of Charlene Soraia (Apr 15^th); one woman, one stage, one guitar, no talking, before local… erm… well known man, Simon Fowler (Apr 17^th), comes back to Brum on his tod. Wonder what he’s up to these days? There’s a very misleading blog out there…

A week later and there’s Jazz all over The Glee Club, festive, in the shape of the Kyle Eastwood Band (24^th Apr) – playing the first date of their European tour.

Then the truly excellent Karima Francis (26^th Apr) comes to town, showing us what happens if you clone Joan Armatrading, Toni Braxton and the Cat from Red Dwarf. If you do nothing else this month, Google her name. Also worth a look are The Staves (Apr 29^th), an acoustic vocal harmony trio from Watford **WARNING – May contain Folk**.

Elsewhere, the HMV Institute has Emeli Sande (14^th Apr), and one of my most pleasant surprises, Delilah (18^th Apr). Two excellently produced artists but let’s see how they translate on stage.

And if you’re not too tired after Googling Karima Francis, job one for the month, visit http://www.delilahofficial.co.uk I’ll make it worth your while (and by ‘I’, I mean ‘they’. Free downloads).

Others to look out for; Lotte Mullen – supporting Ben Montague (O2 Academy / 10^th Apr), Sham 69 (BBallroom / 14^th Apr), Ellen & The Escapades (Hare & Hounds / 19^th Apr), Tony Christie (Town Hall / 23^rd Apr) and New Order (BBallroom / 29^th Apr).

And seeing as this month hosts both April Fool’s Day and Friday the 13^th, the LG Arena present NKOTBSB (27^th Apr) – the bastard hybrid of New Kids On The Block and The Backseat Boys. Now all we need is a cross, a cave and a really big boulder.

You can follow Ed King at www.twitter.com/edking2210

February 4, 2012January 16, 2013

Ed’s… Highlights, Feb ’12

Having scoured the February listings, desperate to hook this feature on Valentine’s Day, I give up. Not a single gig of note on the big day itself. One of my most romantic evenings was at a Ned’s Atomic Dustbin concert, but now it’s all smooching over Chardonnay in gluten free gastro pub. What a load of old toss.

So, cracking off – no pun intended, is the glorious return of Shakatak (Jam House, 1^st), the early 80’s Brit Funk four piece that shot to notoriety with ‘Night Birds’. A track you’ll recognize from its piano riff, and the demonstration song on many a Casio Keyboard.

Elsewhere is a veritable shout fest with; Biohazard (HMV, Feb 2^nd), Rammstein (LG Arena, 25^th), Napalm Death’s Homecoming Show (HMV, 25^th) and the unnervingly titled – Sex Pistol’s Experience (HMV Institute, 25^th). Not a gig to take your missus to.

There’s also a couple of more mainstream hitters in town; Kaiser Chiefs (O2 Academy, 3^rd), Snow Patrol (LG Arena, 4^th), the man who stole my hair – James Morrison (O2 Academy, 7^th) and the most punchable face in pop – Olly Murs (LG Arena, 10^th). Although unfortunately Jason Derulo has cancelled his World Tour (LG Arena, 24^th) due to a neck injury, occurring ‘when the star was executing an acrobatic move and landed directly on his head.’ And off we go to YouTube.

But the undoubted, unparalleled, lithe and orgasmic (steady on) star attraction this month is… ‘An evening with David Hasselhoff’ (Symphony Hall, 23^rd). A booking that totally overshadows; ‘Suggs: My life story in words & music’ (Town Hall, 4^th), Big Country (O2 Academy, 17^th) and Simple Minds (O2 Academy, 24^th) in the anachronistic dollar race. Plus if he enters the stage on an airport buggy, I might wet myself.

So there you have it, a month of screaming, shouting and ghosts from the 80’s. A summary not far from Valentine’s Day after all.

Follow Ed King at www.twitter.com/edking2210

January 5, 2012May 11, 2014

Ed’s… HIGHLIGHTS: Jan ‘12

So, Christmas is over. The crackers are cracked. The fine wine is nothing more than a stain, whilst memories of New Years Eve linger; onerous and unclaimed.

Ah the yuletide crash, you can hear it now. The soft chatter as a city scrapes the bowels of its sofa, desperate for spare change and serotonin. But never fear, dear hearts, only twelve more months to go…

And with that joyous introduction to the year, and its following sarcasm, I give you music for free. Birmingham Jazz to the rescue, as their Rush Hour Blues promotion lines up weekly treats for gratis in the Symphony Hall Bar; Steve Ajao Blues Band (Jan 6^th), Mitch Perrins Quartet (Jan 13^th), Chris Bowden Quartet (Jan 20^th) and Nick Jurd Quartet (Jan 27^th). If you see either Tony or Mary, give them a hug.

Also being kind to your pockets is the Town Hall itself, putting on Llama (Jan 19^th) as part of their Folk For Free events (hugs at your own discretion).

But for those of you who’ve managed to scrooge a few sheckles (slight cross cultural reference), the Hare & Hounds have Kissmet (Jan 13^th), Casio Kids (Jan 19^th) and The Magic Tombolinos (Jan 25^th). A pretty decent January line up and all for under a tenner. Each. They’re not Santa.

But the stonking start to the year comes three weeks in at the HMV Institute; Ben Ottewell aka that geezer from Gomez (Jan 20^th), Jesus ‘Christ, really???’ Jones (Jan 27^th @ The Temple), Wiley (Jan 27^th @ The Library), The Maccabees (Jan 27^th), Roots Manuva (Jan 30^th) and Boyz II Men (Jan 31^st).

Elsewhere it’s pretty hum drum doom or gloom. Although the O2 Academy has Novana – The UK’s ONLY Nirvana tribute band (Jan 21^st), and the Solihull Arts Complex is promoting ‘The World’s Greatest Michael Jackson Tribute’ (Jan 27^th).

Tough to think of more inappropriate acts to emulate really, shotguns and pedophilic court cases. Just image the encores. Happy New Year.

Follow Ed King at www.twitter.com/edking2210