ESPIRITO BRUM 11 July – 10 August, Kings Heath

It’s testament to the multicultural make-up of Birmingham that a festival celebrating links between the city and the powerhouse of vibrant culture of Brazil is even able to take place in a suburb south of the city centre. But Kings Heath, an area home to families and creative professionals alike, offers an ideal location for a celebração, with a wealth of venues, cultural projects and an ever-growing number of fetes, festivals, events and fayres taking place within its borders.

Japan Underground 16.05.12 at the Hare & Hounds

The popular Japan Underground hits Birmingham with a three band extravaganza at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath on the 16th May. 

The Major Toms live review – Hare and Hounds 27.12.11

For me, The Major Toms are more than just a covers band. Steeped in Birmingham’s pop from the 80’s up to the 00’s, the eight-piece supergroup are a celebration of the second cities’ thriving past and present music scenes.

Leftfoot 10th Anniversary

Metro Area, The Bull’s Head, 3 December, £5

Bonobo, HMV Institute, 12 December, £15 adv

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Library HMV Institute, 17 December, £18.50 adv

January 2000 saw Adam Regan and Richard Whittingham start up Leftfoot at the Medicine Bar. It quickly became a haven for fans of leftfield, soulful music.

Rizla Re-Crafted Tour, November 12th

Rizla Re-Crafted Tour
Hare and Hounds (daytime), Rainbow Warehouse (evening)
November 12th

You might be used to hearing the call “Roll up! Roll up” at the circus, but it’ll be a case of “Roll-ups! Roll-ups!’ when Rizla’s ‘Re-Crafted’ tour rolls into Birmingham’s music venues on November 12th.

The organisers are hoping to unearth the next Mark Ronson or Danger Mouse when they kick off the tour in Birmingham, asking budding producers to rework the Mystery Jets’ track ‘Show Me the Light’ under the watchful eye of MJ Cole.

Gig Previews

Adam Smith rounds up July and August’s hottest gigs in the region…

10 July
Hott Date Sailors & Pirates – All Day Extravaganza
The Hare and Hounds, Birmingham
Birmingham’s fruitiest club night is plotting a course for party central with this nautical knees-up. Featuring a motley musical crew including Boat to Row, Tantrums, Swampmeat, The Traps and The Castillians, as well a Twister Tournament, Soul Food BBQ and of course liberal lashings of rum, it’s sure to be a struggle not to get shipwrecked.

Jibbering 10th Birthday Bash

Jibbering are celebrating their 10th Birthday with a night of live ska, funk, reggae and dubstep.