The Wonder Stuff announce Christmas shows Sleigh The UK

The Wonder Stuff announce Christmas shows Sleigh The UK

The Wonder Stuff are back for Christmas, but this year they’ll be doing things a little differently. ‘Sleigh The UK’ has been as welcome during the festive season as a hot cup of mulled wine, but this December, the Stuffies return to play a handful of very special acoustic shows in London, Oxford, Birmingham and Newcastle. These performances will see Miles Hunt, Erica Nockalls and newest member Dan Donnelly play tracks from the length and breadth of the band’s extensive back catalogue.

Throughout the past 28 years, The Wonder Stuff have remained at the top of their game and play with more passion and attitude than most bands could dream of.  In recent years they have headlined festivals and toured the world, pleasing an army of loyal fans and welcoming new followers, captivated by the band’s charismatic live performance.

Frontman Miles Hunt explains: “Erica, Dan and myself just couldn't refuse the opportunity to come and have a seasonal ‘knees up’ with you. The three of us will be hitting the road in December, performing all of your favourite Wonder Stuff tunes acoustically.”

The Wonder Stuff have had an amazing journey so far; seven albums, exciting spin-off projects and collaborations and now there’s even a book of Miles’ musings and a personal view of the band’s ups and downs between 1986-89. For full details, please visit: www.thewonderstuff.bigcartel.com.

So before you get sick of turkey (mince pies and your relatives), come and join The Wonder Stuff for some seriously good live music this Christmas.

*- Support comes from Mark Morriss of The Bluetones

www.thewonderstuff.co.uk

December 2014

Monday 15th – Newcastle, The Cluny

Tuesday 16th – Oxford, O2 Academy*

Wednesday 17th – London, O2 Academy Islington*

Thursday 18th – Birmingham, O2 Academy*

*Box Office 0844 477 2000 or ticketweb.co.uk

Billy Idol Announces Live Dates in UK November 2014

Billy Idol Announces Live Dates in UK November 2014

Seminal rocker Billy Idol has announced his much awaited live return to the UK this November. The punk and rock icon will play in Birmingham, London and Manchester – his first UK appearances since his unforgettable performance at Download 2010 where he triumphed in torrential rain and had the crowd eating out of his hand.

The newly announced dates will come soon after the release of two major new Billy Idol projects. In late October, Idol will drop his first new album in almost 10 years, produced by Trevor Horn. And on 7th October, Simon and Schuster UK will release Idol’s much anticipated autobiography, ‘Dancing With Myself.’

Idol’s band includes his long-time lead guitarist Steve Stevens, Stephen McGrath on bass, Billy Morrison on guitar, Eric Eldenius on drums and Paul Trudeau on keyboards.   

Dates as follows:

                                  

November 2014

Date    City                   Venue                                   Box Office                               

5th        Birmingham        O2 ACADEMY                         0844 477 2000   http://www.o2academybirmingham.co.uk/

9th        London              EVENTIM APOLLO                 0844 249 1000   http://www.eventim.co.uk/

10th       Manchester      O2 APOLLO                            08444 777 677   http://www.o2apollomanchester.co.uk/

Tickets go onsale on Friday 15th August at 9.00am.   Ticket are available online from http://www.livenation.co.uk/artist/billy-idol-tickets - 24 hour phone line: 0844 576 5483.   Doors are 7pm on all shows.

BillyIdol.net

Savage Messiah Announce New UK Dates

11th November at The Garage, London

 22nd November at The Institute, Birmingham

Tickets 

London based Metal-Head's Savage Messiah have announced two new UK dates with Glasswerk in November. After releasing their latest album "The Fateful Dark" in April, the band are now setting sights on touring the UK again. 

In the 6 years since forming, the band has achieved respectable successes, having had two worldwide official releases and one independent ep, in that time working with Grammy nominated producer Chris Tsangarides and having sold in excess of 10,000 records to date. The band has also picked up notable touring credentials having supported Overkill on a full European tour in 2010, supporting Evile in the UK and picking up shows with Death Angel, Queensryche, Skeletonwitch, Sylosis and have appeared at UK festivals including Bloodstock Open Air, Hammerfest, Devilstone Open Air, Hellfire Festival while playing many headlining shows in the UK and Europe. 

The band consists of Dave Silver on lead guitar and vocals, Joff Bailey on lead guitar, Stefano Selvatico on bass and Andrea Gorio on drums. The first recorded output from Savage Messiah was the independently produced and financed ep “Spitting Venom” in 2007. The e.p achieved moderate acclaim with Eduardo Rivadavia of Allmusic.com, summarizing, “it shouldn't be long before Savage Messiah are signed to a more supportive label infrastructure“ 

Ultimately “Spitting Venom” scored the band a recording contract with independent metal specialists Candlelight Records, who released the bands first full length album “Insurrection Rising” in 2009. Produced by Chris Tsangarides and mixed and engineered by Scott Atkins, “Insurrection Rising” is a massive leap in terms of production and song writing and earned the band high praise from all corners of the metal world. 

After touring had ceased in support of “Insurrection Rising” the band opted to move to Earache Records for the release of the 2012 album “Plague of Conscience”. Once again working with Scott Atkins, “Plague of Conscience” is a more polished affair with once again noticeable improvements being made in the song writing and performance departments. Metal Hammer in the UK awarded the album 8/10 and Burrrn Magazine in Japan gave the band an unprecedented 95/100 score. The band and label initially opted to give the album away as a free download, achieving over 42,000 downloads in the first week! 

Enrique Iglesias announces Sex and Love UK tour

Today, Enrique Iglesias announces his first UK tour dates of 2014. Joined by special guest Demi Lovato, he will perform across four epic nights visiting Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and as well as London’s O2 Arena. Tickets will be on general sale from 9.30 am on Friday 13th June. 

The tour will be the first time Enrique showcases tracks from his tenth studio album ‘Sex And Love’ in the UK. The second single from the album ‘There Goes My Baby’ feat. Flo Rida is out now. Ladened with infectious beats and undeniable smooth hooks the reggae tinged debut collaboration with Flo Rida is a sure fire summer hit guaranteed to set dance floors ablaze with its melodic Caribbean vibes. 

Enrique says “I can’t wait to return to the UK it is always a pleasure to tour here! The fans are absolutely amazing and I am excited to perform tracks from my new album for the first time to all my British fans. It’s been 3 years since I’ve last toured here so I’m excited to be back.” 

This week Enrique concludes his ‘Sex And Love’ Latin American tour before embarking on an extensive US tour this September alongside global superstar Pitbull who he has collaborated with on singles including Top Five hits ‘I’m A Freak’ and ‘I Like It’. This summer Enrique will return to London to perform at Capital FM’s Summertime Ball at London’s Wembley Arena on June 21st. 

TOUR DATES: 

November 25th The SEE Hydro, Glasgow 

November 27th The NIA, Birmingham 

November 28th The O2 Arena, London 

November 29th Phones 4U Arena, Manchester

Prince and 3rdEyeGirl announce UK Arena dates for 2014

Following a series of acclaimed, spontaneous and intimate UK shows earlier this year Prince will headline his first regional UK arena dates since 1995.

These exclusive arena shows with 3RDEYEGIRL in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds are his first since his sold out residency at The O2 London in 2007. 

This will be the first time Prince has ever performed in Leeds and is also the first time Prince has headlined a show in Birmingham and Glasgow in 19 years.  His Manchester show follows two nights at the Academy in February. 


Tickets go onsale Friday 2nd May at Midday and are priced from £65 plus booking fees.

- Thursday 15th May 2014 Birmingham LG Arena 
- Friday 16th May 2014 Manchester Phones 4u Arena
- Saturday 17th May 2014 Manchester Phones 4u Arena
- Monday 19th May 2014 Birmingham LG Arena
- Thursday 22nd May 2014 Glasgow The SSE Hydro 
- Friday 23rd May 2014 Leeds First Direct Arena

Tickets will be available from www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk and 24hr cc hotline 0844 811 0051 and 0844 826 2826.

Bombers release new AA Single Forecast/The Way you Think You Look

The Birmingham ‘scene’ has been well publicised and as NME praised Bombers for being “[among] the second wave of Birmingham’s most promising talent”, Artrocker and Music Week however distanced them by saying they “refuse tie-dye and irony in favour of short bursts of sharp and satisfying post-punk” and The Fly agreed citing them for being “refreshingly different from the city at the moment”.


While bands such as Peace and Swim Deep possess a doe-eyed psychedilc sense of nostalgia Bombers have always held a more twisted and daggered approach to their blend of post punk. Where as previous single Drawing had a doom laden snarl of Nick Cave and Joy Division with hints of No Wave, Forecast and The Way You Think You Look hold more a minimal sense of nonchalance; declaring a sense of frustration, confusion and wry observations of bands like The Fall.

Not ones to be pigeonholed the dark undertones are still there but this time its stripped back with exasperated fury. They are still hitting the live circuit with relentless energy and it’s the uncontrollable live force that’s making their reputation spread across the UK.


Upcoming Shows

Sunday 26 May - Now We Are Weekender @ The Public, West Bromwich
Sunday 30 June - Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
Wednesday 24 July - Rhythm Factory, London

You can see further videos here:

Drawing - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE4mFjQEq-k
Vice Versa - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HqC_NGpVl4
Crush - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0afdXni6IDE
Film Fanatic - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j82ZigaGPQ8&feature=related

www.bombersbombersbombers.com

DRAG - new single from SleazyPunk band

DRAG are handing the future of their band over to their fans and the public, with the release of two FREE singles. Instead of asking for monetary payment, the release comes with the simple request of “spread the word”.

“Neurotica” and “#FINE” form a double-A-side release that explore the darker side of the human psyche, without restrain or apology. They are two of DRAG’s most anticipated tracks as chosen by their fans for release.

DRAG are a female fronted sleazy-punk band from Birmingham, who provide an example of hardc word and determination in today’s difficult music industry, racking up several successful releases and gigs to rival that of signed national bands.

Despite being an independent band, DRAG have supported the likes of Toyah Wilcox, appeared in the international Skin Deep tattoo magazine, performed live at Kerrang! Radio and received huge critical acclaim in America – without the help of a label.

After self-funding and releasing two EP’s, DRAG are now taking this direction to establish a
different relationship with new and existing fans. Inspired by the fan-sourcing business approach of international music maverick Amanda Palmer, who encouraged bands to reach out to fans in her recent TED Talk called “The Art of Asking”, Palmer herself has in the past said of DRAG: “Great tracks, I love the band!”

Quote: “In today’s financial climate, record labels are under pressure to make decisions based on risk and money, often commanding a large percentage of the profits in return. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and industry knowledge and it has paid off in the past. By essentially asking our fans to help promote us in return for free music, between us we can do the job of an independent label without sacrificing ownership.” – Heather, lead singer

SINGLES RELEASED 18TH MAY - AVAILABLE FROM: WWW.SLEAZYPUNK.COM

RELEASE PARTY - SATURDAY 18TH MAY – THE FLAPPER
WITH DRAG, ANIMA, BIRTHRITE and SURPRISE GUESTS
18 +, £5 ON THE DOOR

The Flapper
Cambrian Wharf
Birmingham
B1 2NU
0121 236 2421

DRAG
Tickets from: www.sleazypunk.com
www.youtube.com/DRAGBirmingham
band@sleazypunk.com
07983643336 / 07757856476

Weatherbird release "Give It All To Me" 4th March 2013

WEATHERBIRD are an 18 year old four piece from Birmingham. Comprised of Jacob Ball on vocals/guitar, Rueben Gwilliam on drums, Josh Taylor on bass and Dan James on guitar.
The band has been together since they were 10 years old.

Signing to END OF THE TRAIL RECORDS in 2012, the band quickly drew attention with debut single “I Might Be More Than You Know” which reached number 1 on Amazon Hot New Releases Chart.

Touring the UK twice last year the bands have been gaining plaudits wherever they play.

"Impressive" Gary Crowley
"Brilliant""BBC Introducing
"Wonderful"Jim Gellatly
"The best unsigned band in Britain" www.live4ever.uk.com

Compared to Queens Of The Stone Age and Foo Fighters, WEATHERBIRD are a band that are carving out a niche of their own thanks to the songwriting of lead singer Jacob Ball.

The band have already attracted the attention of several major labels but at this moment have decided to stay with END OF THE TRAIL RECORDS and control their output for the time being.

Sat 9th Feb Stourbridge, Moochers
Sun 10th Feb Leicester Shed Bar
Mon 11th Feb Brighton Latest Bar
Tue 12th Feb London (Camden) The Enterprise
Wed 13th Feb Leeds Northern Monkey
Fri 15th Feb Manchester Retro Bar
Sat 16th Feb Newcastle Dog + Parrot
Sun 17th Feb Edinburgh Bannermans
Mon 18th Feb Liverpool The Lomax
Wed 20th Feb Sheffield Viper Rooms
Thu 21st Feb London (Camden) The Enterprise
Fri 22nd Feb Birmingham Venue Actress + Bishop
Sat 23rd Feb Coalville Vic Bikers
Sun 24th Feb Hartlepool The Studio

Counting Crows Announce 2013 UK Tour in April

San Francisco rockers Counting Crows have announced their first UK tour in over 4 years. The multi-platinum 7 piece will bring their live show to Birmingham, Bristol, London, Manchester and Glasgow in April, after touring in Australia and a string of European dates.

“All I could say when I saw the plans for a UK/EU tour was ‘It's about time” – says Adam Duritz – “It's hard to explain to fans why bands occasionally let so much time pass between visits. The truth is sometimes life just gets in the way and, before you know it, it's been a few years. Personally, I'm just glad we're going back. I have a lot of great memories of past tours. Remembering where we've been always gets me excited about where we're going.”

The tour follows the release in 2012 of Underwater Sunshine (or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation), a collection of more and less known songs ranging from the 1960s to our days. Produced by Counting Crows and Shawn Dealey, Underwater Sunshine features tracks written by artists such as Big Star, Gram Parsons, Tender Mercies, Kasey Anderson and The Faces. A new live album will be released to coincide with the dates.

Counting Crows formed in 1991 in the San Francisco Bay area and they have sold over 20 million albums to date. They had 5 Top 20 studio albums in the UK (3 of them charting in the Top 10) and all 5 hitting Top 5 on the Billboard 200. The current line up features Adam Duritz (vocals), David Bryson (guitar), Charles Gillingham (keyboards), Dan Vickrey (guitar), Jim Bogios (drums), David Immergluck (guitar) and Millard Powers (bass).

Widely remembered for their 1993 seven times platinum debut release August And Everything After - including hit single “Mr Jones” -  Counting Crows more recently had a US No.1 with “Accidentally In Love”, featured on the Shrek 2 soundtrack, which was nominated in 2005 for a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award. Their most recent studio album, Saturday Nights and Sunday Mornings was released to critical and popular acclaim in March 2008 and charted at No. 12 in the UK.

UK dates are:

APRIL 2013 

Fri 19th  Birmingham O2 Academy 

Sat 20th  Bristol Colston Hall

Mon 22nd  London Hammersmith Apollo

Thu 25th Manchester O2 Apollo Manchester 
Fri 26th  Glasgow O2 Academy

Tickets go on sale at 9.00am on Friday 25th January and are priced at £33.50 adv Reg / £36.50 Bristol / £37.50 London (all subject to booking fee).  Online tickets available from http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk or http://www.livenation.co.uk.

Snow disaster for Birmingham based hard rockers Eight Great Fears

The members of a Birmingham-based alternative rock band Eight Great Fears were devastated when they were forced to cancel their shoot for their music video due to the recent extreme weather conditions. The five-piece had spent months planning the date only to be forced to cancel last minute because the snow had completely wrecked the set proposed for the bands debut music video for their forthcoming single titled ‘Launchpad McQuack’.

The bands Singer James Kriaun stated that “The roof of our intended set collapsed due to the sheer weight from the build up of snow and destroyed everything in the process”. To add insult to injury, not long after the band had discovered that their set was ruined, Eight Great Fears bass player Dean was shot in the backside with a pellet gun by an unknown passer by. Bass player Dean Bowyer from Birmingham was luckily not seriously hurt but received a big bruise on his rear as a result of the fired pellet.

“We were of course all completely gutted that our music video had to be cancelled, I spent the entire morning and afternoon phoning all the extras we had arranged to come down to stay at home when out of nowhere I received a sharp jab in my bottom, none of us could see who fired it, luckily the snow I fell into after helped cool my wound down somewhat”

– Dean Bowyer

The band now have to reschedule their music video for March and are asking music fans to be patient with them while they make arrangements for a new music video shoot to happen. Guitarist Gavin Jones added “Despite the set back we are all going to do our best to make the music video happen in time for the single release, in fact we are now going to make it even bigger and we are going to give fans the opportunity to be in our debut music video for our single”. The band who are currently recording tracks for their forthcoming album are highly influenced by bands such as Tool, Nine Inch Nails and Queens ofthe Stone Age and are hoping to do a UK tour this summer.

Music fans interested in being in the Eight Great Fears music video can contact the band via Twitter on twitter.com/eightgreatfears

Mini Band Bio:

Eight Great Fears is a progressive inspired experimental rock band from the Midlands. Have toured the UK with the likes of Left For Red, Salvation, Wrapped In Plastic and Hostile. The band uses a mixture of complex time changes, supernatural sounding vocals, diverse effects and big guitar riffs to shape their infamous signature sound.

www.twitter.com/EightGreatFears

RnB anthem ‘Illusions’ released by UK artist Keiran

UK based recording artist Keiran begins his independent worldwide takeover with the release of ‘Illusions’, a stunning RnB anthem produced by Gifted The Great.

Keiran may not be a name you are familiar with, but as part of the new UK unsigned scene, he’s most certainly one to watch out for in 2013. His first single ‘The Mask’ was released to critical acclaim in August 2011, and February 2013 will see the launch of the singer / songwriters 6 track-debut EP ‘The House of Illusions’. Raised in Birmingham, Keiran takes his musical inspiration from many genres, including R&B and Pop, but it is the singers individual sound that seperates him from the crowd.

‘Illusions’ is the latest single release from Keiran, and sees him deliver a crooning vocal performance over a bass-filled production, creating an anthem destined to get R&B and Pop fans on their feet.

The single is accompanied by a brilliant visual courtesy of director RKZ

www.youtube.com/keiranmusic
www.twitter.com/officialkeiran
www.facebook.com/keiran.singer

Propaganda announces its wildest NYE extravaganzas yet

“Propaganda’s NYE Party Animal” takes places in nine cities across the UK

Propaganda VS Ramshackle parties in Bristol and Liverpool

 Propaganda, the UK’s biggest indie night has confirmed a series of New Year’s Eve extravaganzas across the UK. “Propaganda’s NYE Party Animal” is their wildest party yet, going deep into the heart of the animal kingdom for an unbeatable wildlife adventure that will ensure that party goers see in 2013 in style.

The nation’s favourite clubbing institution is famed for bringing some of the biggest names in music to venues across the UK, playing the very best in upfront indie and alternative classics and recent Propaganda guests have included Mumford and Sons, Ed Sheeran, Rizzle Kicks, Bloc Party, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Vaccines, Nick Grimshaw, Greg James and Zane Lowe.

NYE tickets include a special Propaganda wristband giving party goer’s free entry to every Propaganda across the country in January.  Each Propaganda NYE Party Animal event will take place over a number of rooms playing the very best in indie, electro, dub step, rock n’ roll, drum & bass and much more.  In Liverpool and Bristol, Propaganda will be joined by clubbing institution Ramshackle who are renowned for throwing raucous parties for an ‘up for it crowd’.  Don’t miss these clubbing behemoths going head to head to see in the New Year.



Propaganda NYE Party Animal – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London

10pm-3am

Drinks from £1.50

Early Bird Tickets - £10

Advance Tickets - £15

O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, Shepherd's Bush Green, London W12 8TT


Propaganda NYE Party Animal – O2 Academy Birmingham

9pm-4am

Drinks from £1.50

Early Bird Tickets - £10

Early Bird VIP Tickets - £20 - Includes Access to the VIP Balcony & Glass of Bubbly at Midnight (£2.50 Booking Fee)

Advance Tickets - £15

O2 Academy Birmingham, 16-18 Bristol Street, Birmingham B1 1DB



Propaganda NYE Party Animal – O2 Academy Sheffield

9pm-4am

Drinks from £1

Very Early Bird Tickets - £5

Advance Tickets - £10

O2 Academy Sheffield, 37-43 Arundel Gate, Sheffield S1 2PN

Propaganda NYE Party Animal – O2 AcademyLeeds

9pm-4am

Drinks from £1.50

Advance Tickets - £10

O2 Academy Leeds, 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds LS2 3AW



Propaganda NYE Party Animal – O2 Academy Newcastle

10pm-4am

Drinks from £1

Very Early Bird Tickets - £5

Advance Tickets - £10

O2 Academy Newcastle, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SW



Propaganda NYE Party Animal – O2 Academy Oxford

9pm-4am

Drinks Promotions All Night

Advance Tickets - £10

O2 Academy Oxford, 190 Cowley Road, Oxford, OX4 1UE



Ramshackle v Propaganda NYE Party Animal – O2 Academy Bristol

Drinks Promotions All Night

Very Early Bird Tickets - £10

9pm-4am

O2 Academy Bristol, 1-2, Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA



Propaganda NYE Party Animal - Dublin – The Academy

Drinks Promotions All Night

€6 Advance

The Academy, Pearse St, Dublin 2, Co. Dublin



Ramshackle V Propaganda NYE Party Animal - Liverpool – Bumper

Drinks Promotions All Night

Advance Tickets - £5

Bumper, 18 Hardman Street, Liverpool, L1 9AX

Propaganda was founded by DJ Dan, the biggest alternative DJ in the UK and DJ of choice for The Stone Roses, Oasis and The Prodigy for their after parties.  2012 saw Propaganda headline tents to ecstatic audiences at the summer’s biggest festivals including Reading and Leeds, V Festival and Bestival.  Propaganda also undertook its first Ibiza residency, bringing some of the UK’s most recognisable indie artists to the white isle.

The Modern release new single Boys Can Dance on 12th November

The Modern are a four-piece indie band from Worcester, England. The band, formed in 2009, have a huge growing fanbase around Coventry/Birmingham and have become a favourite live act for many venues across the midlands.

With good songs and plenty of passion these four lads have managed to support well known artists such as Shaun Ryder, Ocean Colour Scene and have been invited to play at NOEL GALLAGHERS NIA AFTER-SHOW PARTY at the Birmingham Ballroom. The band have been recognized for there talent by the Libertines frontman Pete Doherty and from that been offered gigs later on this year in central london.

Currently The Modern are recording there album with the talented Matt Terry who has worked with the likes of the enemy/ocean colour scene. They plan to release the album next year. Meanwhile, as off the 12th November the moderns single 'Boys Can Dance' will be available on iTunes.

The Modern have very much arrived.

More and more are waving the flag and heaping praise on these four Midlands lads who have that rare ‘something’ – a talent and potential which only raises its head every now and then.

Music can be heard on: http://soundcloud.com/themodernuk/sets

Facebook: www.facebook.com/themodernuk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/themodernuk

The Bluebeat Arkestra set to tour for Oxjam

Birmingham band The Bluebeat Arkestra are teaming up with Oxjam to play 10 shows during our festival period, playing 9 events across the Midlands, as well as an extra date in Islington. The tour, which includes four performances in one manic day on the 20th October, kicks off in Wolverhampton on 22nd of September and concludes in Coventry on the 27th October.

Tour dates:
22nd September – Wolverhampton
12th October – Islington
13th October – Mansfield and Birmingham
19th October – Derby
20th October – Lichfield, Lincoln, Beeston, Leicester
27th October – Coventry

Their energetic shows have established them as one of Birmingham’s most exciting live acts and they will undoubtedly make a huge impression on the stages they play. We’re hoping that their commitment to the cause, as well as their growing fan-base, will encourage people to come out and support them on their Oxjam tour, helping the festival to raise even more money for Oxfam. We’re so grateful to the band for taking part in this exciting adventure.

We strongly encourage all music fans to get along to their nearest Oxjam events and be part of a month-long musical celebration right across the country. Even more importantly, Oxjam is all about showing that the best in local music can have a global impact too. Since Oxjam start in 2006, events have raised in excess of £1.8 million to fight poverty around the world.
About the band: “For years we've been struggling, as have many reporters and reviewers, to describe our music. We consist of a drummer, guitar and bass (nothing too unusual there..) but also have trumpet, viola, synths, samplers. We have two female vocalists, Hayley, who is from a singer/songwriter background and Keji, our rapper.  Whilst the genres funk, punk, dance, hip-hop, soul, drum n bass and dubstep have all been used to describe us, really we're none of them. We're just us and have our own sound and that's it.” Said bassist Dave Breeze.

“We've had great support from OxjamBrum in the past three years. We've played on their no. 11 bus route, their ‘Boat that Oxjam Rocked’ event and we've played their takeover event the last two years. However this year we were asked to play at their conference which was held in Birmingham. We really enjoyed it and so did all of the other Oxjam reps from up and down the country. We were invited to play at a number of their events and the Bluebeat Arkestra Oxjam Takeover Tour 2012 is what has come of that.

Oxjam do so much to support local music that we're really honoured to be a part of this - and on such a grand scale. I think amidst the great support they give and the amazing events that they put on, sometimes the real underlying point of Oxjam. It saves lives. Hundreds, Thousands, Millions. To boast playing such a big part in saving lives makes music worth so much more in a day and age when with so much music around - it often counts for very little. It's going to be great fun, with a great cause. I really hope we help raise plenty of money.

We want to help raise as much funds for Oxjam as possible, so as well as touring for them and hopefully attracting punters to their events, we will also be releasing the first single on our record label - Hustle! Records - and donating all the proceeds to Oxjam. The single T.A.R.E (Sam Redmore Remix) is a great electronic remix of one of the songs from our last EP by Sam Redmore, a DJ from Birmingham who has also played at many Oxjam events. He DJ'd at the Oxjam tent at Leeds festival this year, so we are both very happy to be able to contribute towards the fundraising total. The single will be available for download from 15th October, which is smack-bang in the middle of our tour!”

About Oxjam: The Bluebeat Arkestra tour is part of our Oxjam month of music, which runs through the whole of October. Oxjam is a festival with a difference: thousands of fundraising music events are put on by ordinary people – from large-scale festivals to local sponsored busks – making it the biggest line-up of any music festival in the UK.

During October, more than 800 venues, 9,000 volunteers, 7,000 musicians and 150,000 audience members will enable Oxjam to raise at least £350,000 for Oxfam’s work.

The highlight of the month-long festival will be the Oxjam Takeover, a series of city-wide mini-festivals taking place in 44 locations across the UK, from the Shetlands to Torquay, during the month of October. At Takeover events, over 2000 musicians will perform to an audience of more than 40,000, all raising money to help Oxfam fight poverty worldwide

Since 2006, more than 45,000 musicians have played to an audience of more than 900,000 people at over 3,500 Oxjam events, raising in excess of £1.8 million to fight poverty around the world. Oxjam 2012 will take the total past the £2 million mark - enough to provide safe water to over 2 million people, feed 300,000 families or buy 80,000 goats!

To find out what Oxjam events are going on in your area this October, visit www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam or call 0300 200 1255

Janice Graham Band headline Playhard launch, Birmingham 18 Feb 2012

Rock/Pop

18th February 2012; PLAYHARD launch

Janice Graham Band, The Rimes, The Traitors Club, The Tone Thieves, The Gazelles 

8pm to midnight  / 14+ Event / £5 Entry

The End, Birmingham Ballroom, 51 Dale End, B4 7LS http://theend-birmingham.co.uk/

Playhard gigs present an amazing selection of the best acts in new music in association with The Catapult Club and DP Management.

Janice Graham Band : http://janicegrahamband.com/

“Manc act cause an absolute riot on stage at This Feeling” (“Big In 2012”) The Sun. 

"Band are seriously good. Music and politics mix." (Manchester Evening News)

Also playing HMV Next Big Things 2012 and recommended highly to catch up close a.s.a.p. 

JGB are coming to a much bigger stage soon (stop press thats just come true, they are also now confirmed to support The Inspiral Carpets on tour in March). “The  effect is simply riotous – like The Specials for a new generation.” (Music News). 

Celebratory at this show! New single, ‘No Money Honey’ ( 20th February) and debut (concept!) album, ‘Its Not Me’ (27th February). "The sound of a band in full experimental flow - there's much to enjoy " (ArtRocker) Catch them this time round. You’ll swear you were there either way. 

“They are much much more than just another bunch of mancunian council house riff-raff, they’ve got attitude aplenty and hearts full of soul” Mani (Stone Roses)  

The Rimes : http://therimes.co.uk 

“Not genre fuelled, but music driven.’

This pride of the Midlands outfit are on the rise courtesy of their  Sixties tinged power pop and fervent fan base packing out venues and creating an early buzz. 

The Traitors Club : https://www.facebook.com/thetraitorsclub

“We are The Traitors Club, a  London foursome - hot off the back of jam sessions with Doctor Who and breakfast with Black Sabbath, - showcasing our new material wherever we can” 

The Tone Thieves : http://thetonethieves.wordpress.com/

A local quartet who play funky soulful rock and have just completed recording for their latest album which is celebrated at this show. 

The Gazelles : 

A Wolverhampton outfit. who pull out the stops to deliver a tight performance influenced by classic alternative Britrock from the likes of Kasabian and The Stone Roses - with added guitar layers and urgency.

PLAYHARD (Minx Media TV and Rocklands, united) rock’n’roll events mix cool bands, hot DJs, media/industry scouts and a party atmosphere, where IT is AT! http://twitter.com/playhardgigs New young writers, film makers and photographers are positively encouraged to get involved with supporting the thrills.

Birmingham is No.19 in New York Times’ list of 45 Places to Go in 2012. The End is where names like Libertines, Amy Winehouse, The Killers, Scissor Sisters, Death From Above 1979, Editors, The Twang etc played on their way to headier heights. You know what to do...

18 Feb 14+ rock n roll show Playhard! @brumballroom @JaniceGrahamBnd @the_rimes @TheTraitorsClub @thetonethieves https://facebook.com/events/219916571429283/

The MOBO free Tour 2012

The MOBO Organisation & Urban Development present

In association with PRS for Music Foundation and Arts Council of England

By arrangement with SJM Concerts

FIRST NAMES ANNOUNCED ARE LADY LESHURR AND CLEMENT MARFO & THE FRONTLINE WITH MORE NAMES TO COME EARLY 2012        

INDUSTRY TAKEOVER TO PROVIDE FREE WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS ACROSS THE UK MOBO UNSUNG COMPETITION LAUNCHES TO UNEARTH REGIONAL TALENT

MOBO.

Urban Development and PRS for Music Foundation are bringing in the New Year early with the announcement of The MOBO Tour 2012.

This free tour is set to travel to eight cities across the UK, offering audiences the opportunity to see some of 2012’s freshest, new, emerging talent on stage and attend industry workshops and seminars (via Industry Takeover @ MOBO Academy). It’s also a chance for undiscovered talent right across the country to get involved in the MOBO Unsung competition. Thanks to funding from Arts Council England and PRS for Music Foundation all of this will be provided for FREE.

Kicking off on February 22 in Birmingham, the tour will travel across the country and bring together the best of the UK’s new Urban talent. The first names to be announced are breakthrough MC Lady Leshurr (tipped to do big things in 2012 by RWD Magazine and Itunes) and MTV Brand New pick for 2012, seven piece hip-hop-rock collective Clement Marfo & The Frontline. A further five names will be confirmed in the New Year.

In addition to bringing the pick of 2012’s most hotly tipped talent to a city near you, The MOBO Tour is also creating the opportunity for brand new, undiscovered talent to win the chance to perform on stage through MOBO Unsung. This nationwide competition is open to enter NOW and all would-be performers need to do to get started is upload a video of themselves performing to YouTube and email the link, embed code and details of which region they live in, to mobounsung@mobo.com.

Entries will be hosted on www.mobo.com/mobotourfor the public to view and a judging panel of industry experts will then select a winner from each UK region, who will take the stage as part of the tour in their local area.

A team of radio DJs will select the MOBO Unsung winner from the 8 regional finalists. This winner will then join an on-line ‘Battle Of The Bands’ competition where they will compete against other newcomers put forward by established artists (but more on this to follow!) with a public vote to select the ultimate ‘battle’ winner.

To further support talent in all areas of the music industry, The MOBO Tour 2012 (with thanks to Urban Development’s ‘Industry Takeover’) will provide workshops and seminars in cities on the day of the show. Industry experts from well respected organisations including SB.TV, RWD Magazine, PRS for Music Foundation, SJM Concerts, artists on the MOBO Tour and more will all be sharing their insider industry knowledge, answering questions and offering advice to audiences across the country. And all for FREE.

The MOBO Tour, seminars, workshops and Unsung competition highlights all partners’ efforts to support, guide and nurture new and developing talent across the UK.

CATCH THE TOUR, SEMINARS, AND WORKSHOPS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

                       GIG VENUE                            INDUSTRY TAKEOVER         CITY

Feb 22         Library HMV Institute           MAC                                Birmingham

Feb 23          Manchester Academy 3       N/A                                 Manchester

Feb 24          O₂ Academy2                     Venue TBC                       Liverpool

Feb 25          The Garage                       The Mitchell Library             Glasgow

Feb 27           O₂ Academy2                     The Sage                         Newcastle

Feb 28           O₂ Academy2                     Watershed                       Bristol

Feb 29           O₂ Academy2                     Red Bull Studios                 Islington

March 1         Waterfront                        N/A                                 Norwich

TO APPLY FOR YOUR FREE TICKET FOR THE MOBO TOUR OR INDUSTRY TAKEOVER VISIT:

www.mobo.com/mobotour

TO ENTER THE MOBO UNSUNG COMPETITION PLEASE EMAIL ENTRIES TO: mobounsung@mobo.com

ENTRIES FOR THE COMPETITION MUST BE RECEIVED BY 15^TH JANUARY TO BE ELIGIBLE. PLEASE STATE YOUR NEAREST MOBO TOUR CITY WITH YOUR ENTRY.

Fakta back with a brand new posse cut titled Mainstream

Birmingham based recording artist Fakta follows on from his online smash 'Reppin' with a brand new posse cut titled 'Mainstream'.

Renowned for his clinical lyrical ability and unique style from an early age, Fakta has spent many years honing his abilities within the UK underground, with key releases including 'Lokd Behind Bars' and the critically acclaimed 'I Need Management 2' mixtape. These notable releases received support from the likes of BBC 1xtra, UK Overstood, Channel AKA and Media Massacre, a trend which looks set to continue with Fakta's forthcoming releases. Additionally, the Midlands MC has performed extensively both in the UK and abroad, where he performed at Short Circuit (the largest beach party in Jamaica), and has also supported international superstars Vybez Kartel, Bobby Valentino and Rick Ross.
 
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Follow Fakta on Twitter: @Fakta1

Spectacular Polar comes to Birmingham Symphony Hall

Spectacular Movie Polar comes to Birmingham Symphony Hall

Birmingham set for big freeze this December as snow-tastic classical spectacular drifts into city.

World Class Service Ltd and Town Hall & Symphony Hall Birmingham are delighted to announce two special performances of the super-cool classical spectacular Polar, at Birmingham Symphony Hall at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wed 21 December.

A stunning portrait of the world’s frozen kingdoms, Polar combines stunning HD footage from the world’s best natural history film makers with a unique live score arranged by renowned conducer and orchestrator John Harle, which will be performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

This truly mesmerising concert experience takes the audience on a magical journey to the Arctic and Antarctic regions of our planet,  featuring previously unseen footage, shown on an immense 32 feet wide, HD screen raised above the orchestra and a score specially arranged and conducted by John Harle. The music includes original work from Harle as well as special arrangements of some of the most well known pieces of the world’s most famous composers including Mozart, Stravinsky, Rautavaara, Purcell, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius.

Conductor John Harle said: "Words like epic, poetic and dramatic spring to mind when imagining the vastness of the Polar Regions. In this journey through the landscapes and animal life of Arctica and Antarctica we've married music of equal scale and descriptive power to these great wonders of our world. With the lyrical music of Mozart and Tchaikovsky marrying rhythm, melody and harmony to unforgettable and never-before-seen footage of polar bears, penguins, beluga whales, and Sibelius's symphonic power matching the colossal scale of these icy, remote landscapes. Polar is an ode to these mysterious and monumental regions of the world that will move you with its stunning imagery and music".

Those fortunate enough to catch Polar will watch the mighty polar bears, the haunting beluga and beautiful humpback whales, see the white blizzards, dazzling blue oceans and vast wilderness of the poles come alive on the huge screen raised above the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Andrew Glester, Producer and Director of Polar said: ‘’Polar is the perfect pre-Christmas treat that the whole family can come along and enjoy. The films used in Polar capture the dazzling beauty of these remote and fragile places and you can’t fail to be mesmerised as you take in this epic experience. We’re delighted to be working with John Harle and the mighty City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to bring you this wonderful production, which is already attracting international interest.”

Film Maker Doug Allan said: “The audience will be excited, touched and inspired by the images on a big screen, and the music with no commentary will reach into their emotions at a personal level, leaving them with a heightened awareness of the beauty yet fragility of the Polar Regions. I’d like to think that the connection that we all have to the natural world – the one which however is so easily subsumed in our “normal” lives - will be reaffirmed and reawakened. Let’s all touch the planet more sensitively and responsibly”.

Take a look at some of Doug Allan’s enchanting Polar footage set to the beautiful music of Sibelius by clicking http://bit.ly/oEC980

This ultimate winter time family treat is the perfect event with which to start your festive celebrations this December. Celebrating and inspiring a love for these increasingly fragile and stunning places.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Polar

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Date: Wed 21 December

Times: 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Tickets: Matinee £9.50-£32.50 and Evening £12.50 - £39.50

How to book: In person at Symphony Hall Box Office, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA, alternatively, call 0121 780 3333 or click www.thsh.co.uk