Category: Ed’s…

As we roll midway through our nation’s most esoteric of concepts, the official British Summer Time, there’s a few things you can count on. Rain. 20% off at Millets, and extortionate festivals. But if you don’t want to remortgage a kidney for good tunes this June, here’s some of our city’s more accessible ear candy.

The big venue battle continues in town, with the O2 Academy hosting Adam Ant-and-his-ridiculously-long-named-band-album-and-tour on June 1^st, and the HMV Institute promoting Jamie Woon’s Birmingham debut on June 4^th. The only other, vaguely, slightly, kind of, interesting Academy offers are well enunciated pop punk protégés, Futures, on June 5^th and the man who busted Busted, Charlie Simpson, on July 1^st. But it’s a decisive win, again, for the HMV Institute, with the Wu-Tang Clan on June 13^th, Gomez on June 20^th and Fat Freddie’s Drop on June 21^st.

The LG Arena boasts a dinosaur line up this month, with Journey, Foreigner and Styx all on the same June 5^th bill. The 80’s pop pension support package, or ‘Here & Now Tour’ as it’s promoters call it, is on June 24th, with Boy George, Jason Donovan, Belinda Carlise and other artists you’d find on a Now That’s What I Call Music cassette compilation all sharing the stage. But the big room highlight is not one, but two nights of Neil Diamond on June 28^th and 30^th. No jokes about this gig. Diamond’s fans may be easily startled, but they’ll be back… and in greater numbers. 

Over at the NIA Paul Simon plays a ferociously expensive gig on June 30^th, but the real point of interest is Roger Waters’ new version of ‘The Wall Live’ on June 28^th. It’s the first time in 20 years ‘The Wall’ has been toured, and celebrates the 30^th anniversary of the seminal Pink Floyd album. And with the average NIA ticket this month costing £55-65, maybe it’ll even make some money this time around?

Back in more familiar postcodes the Hare & Hounds has some of the best people to ever pick up an acoustic guitar on stage this month, with Carina Round and Vijay Kishore both performing on June 8^th. If you do nothing else this month, go to this gig. It’s really that simple.

Then on June 8^th, dolphin tear jerker Martyn Joseph will be touring his new album, ‘Under Lemonade Skies’. Joseph is the reason I fell for UK folk, after seeing him support Mary Black at the Town Hall in the early 90’s. So to all of my teenage romances, its his fault, now’s your chance.

Elsewhere within a stones throw, The Cross start a series of summer parties on June 10^th with DJ Shaun Williams, the man basically responsible for the Rum Runner legacy. The Kitchen Garden Café goes middle class music mad with the Birmingham Chinese Chamber Trio on June 1^st, whilst MAC hosts the phenomenal Rich Batsford on June 11^th.

But by far the most exciting thing on Brum’s immediate music calendar is the Mostly Jazz Festival, happening in our very own Moseley Park from 1^st – 3^rd July. Booker T, Alice Russell, Andy Hamilton & The Blue Notes, Gilles Peterson, Matthew Herbert Big Band, Dele Sosimi, Manouche… the list goes on. Although it’ll be watching Milestones perform Davis’ classic ‘Kind Of Blue’ on Sat June 2^nd or the Cinematic Orchestra on Fri June 1^st that’ll make me sob like a child. And all for considerably less money than a discounted 4-man tent. In a word, magic.

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

Everything seems a little visual and audio this month. The Prodigy’s film World On Fire came out on Mar 31^st, The Foo Fighter’s ‘Back & Forth’ is out on Apr 7^th, and Shiva Soundsystem’s Nerm Chauhan’s music directorial debut, ‘Everywhere & Nowhere’, is on national release from May 6^th. Plus Stravinsky’s Rite Of Spring gets a 3D make over on Apr 21^st. I’m trying to think of a joke, but I’m not that clever.

Out there in the land of the live gig, my fingers are crossed for Beth Orton (Glee Club – Apr 11^th) and my legs for Lizzy Parkes (Symphony Hall, Foyer Bars – Apr 29^th). It’s a free gig, which is just as well. For a voice like that I’d flog my Grandma on EBay.

I’m spending the rest of the month avoiding the world’s most tenacious one hit wonder, Chris de Burgh (Symphony Hall – Apr 15^th 16^th). I’ve been practicing for 25 years so I’m pretty confident I’ll manage. That and enjoying the endless bank holidays bashes, with the posh-totty-tie-the-knotty giving us even more room to party on Apr 29^th. I’ll be seeing Guy Carlos at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath. But whatever you’re royal ra-ra celebration entails, enjoy. And wear a nice hat.

Follow Ed King at www.twitter.com/edking2210

It may still be battleship grey above but Birmingham’s got a few gigs to smile about this March, Primal Scream playing Screamadelica (O2 – 15.3) the most grin worthy on my calendar. A scene shifting band playing a scene shifting album. Magic. Plus I’ll get to feel all old and superior, which is always fun.

Over at Brum’s other biggie, Deconstruction (Mark II) spring chickens, Diagram Of The Heart, play the HMV on Mon March 7^th. Not sure why they chose the worst of all school nights but I’m keen to seem them strut their stuff live. And if I need consoling (I’m hoping they’re good), Maceo Parker comes to the stage on March 13th. Failing that D:Ream play on March 20^th, and just reading that on the listings make me laugh uncontrollably.

But if you want something tangible for your money, GlasVegas release ‘Euphoria, take my hand’ from their new album on March 28^th, Beadyman’s debut ‘I Done An Album’ is out on March 21^st, and Duran Duran’s ‘All You Need Is Now’ is on CD from March 21^st. Otherwise you could buy Kim Kardashian’s new single, ‘Jam’. But don’t. You’ll only encourage her.

Follow Ed King at www.twitter.com/edking2210

Wading through the quagmire of Christmas parties, a few murky musical treats rise to the surface. It’s mentioned in the Club News but Sven Vath is always worth saying twice, plus Mr Ronson at Crasher would be a good end to the year. The rest of clubland looks a little moody to me, with bass heavy parties rolling over the city, but if you’re into your darkside then just hang around Digbeth.

Back to the live stage for some suitable cheer, with Herbaliser, Bonobo, Foals and Martha Reeves & The Vandellas all coming to the HMV there’s a few evenings to choose from. However the prize turkey has to go to the 02 Academy. The Pogues are playing on Dec 18^th and it’s never really Christmas until you’ve heard Fairytale Of New York. Plus, if you don’t fancy staring through the gaps in Shane MacGowan’s teeth, Sophie Ellis Bexter is on in the other room.

Out in the wider world of music there’s the usual Christmas flake on the shelf, with The Trashmen’s Surfin Bird, one of the most irritating records ever made, currently favored for the coveted number one spot. Please don’t let that happen. If you’ve got some left over Christmas cash I’d recommend The Orb’s Metallic Spheres. They’re touring, but not playing Birmingham. So buy a copy, turn it up loud, lie on the kitchen floor and open and close the fridge door with your feet. Which is roughly like being at an Orb concert anyway. Merry crimbo/New Year guys and galls.

Follow Ed King at www.twitter.com/edking2210

Another UK festival seasons draws to a close. So far this summer; the angel of dance blew out her ten candles as Global Gathering made the restaurants of Stratford “too busy to comment”, Festival Republic took over The Big Chill – employing an army of sixteen year olds stewards to block roads from Malvern to Ledbury, whilst the Mostly Jazz debut attracted,”enough people to make it worth doing again”. Only Shambala and the Moseley Folk Festival left then we can all stay safely indoors.

Back in the land of the live gig, The Glee Club’s unofficial summer hiatus makes way for Caitlin Rose and Willy Mason. The HMV Institute threatens to bring Ned’s Atomic Dustbin back to the city, whilst the NEC declares losing enough money to finance a small country.

All that’s left is to cross everything flexible before the Mercury Music Awards on Sept 7^th. It’s a little early but if Laura Marling doesn’t win I’m going to burn all the guitars in the world. Except hers, then let’s see who wins in 2011.

Follow Ed King at www.twitter.com/edking2210