www.brumnotes.commusic and lifestyle for the west midlands

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october 09

EDITORSTHE RETURN OF

PLUS:THE TEMPER TRAPMUMFORD & SONSMANDO DIAOTHE DESTROYERSTHE BOXER REBELLIONTHE MACCABEES WIN FESTIVAL PASSES, GIG TICKETS, CDs

FULL MIDLANDS GIG GUIDE FOR OCTOBER

ALSO INSIDE:

first ever issue!

o2academybirmingham.co.uk The UK’s Biggest Indie Night Every Friday at O2 Academy Birmingham

Sat 3rd Oct • £15 advJamie TSat 3rd Oct • £6 advThis City +ExcerptsSat 3rd Oct • £10 adv6pm – 10pmBabycakes UK Parties 2K9Sun 4th Oct • £6 advGeneral FiascoMon 5th Oct • £11 advBlue October USMon 5th Oct • £7.50 advWave MachinesTues 6th Oct • £13.50 advDanielMerriweatherWeds 7th Oct • £8.50 advThe King BluesWeds 7th Oct • £6 advAnimal KingdomThurs 8th Oct • £8 advLethal BizzleFri 9th Oct • £8 adv6.30pm - 10pmSonic Boom SixSat 10th Oct • £15 advBlack Stone CherrySat 10th Oct • £6 advBaddiesMon 12th Oct • £10.50 advGo:AudioTues 13th Oct • £16advEnter ShikariTues 13th Oct • £6advDan Michaelson & the CoastguardsThurs 15th Oct • £22.50advBloc Party

Fri 16th Oct • £21.50advBassHunterFri 16th Oct • £12advNoah and the WhaleSat 17th Oct • £6advGirlsMon 19th Oct • £8advThis Will Destroy YouMon 19th Oct • £11advBrapp Pack TourTues 20th Oct • £15advEastpak Antidote Tour 2009Tues 20th Oct • £10.50advBrendan BrensonTues 20th Oct • £10advThe DelaysWed 21st Oct • £26.50advGary MooreWed 21st Oct • £9advThe HollowaysThurs 22nd Oct • £16.50advBowling For SoupThurs 22nd Oct • £10advDoes it Offend You, Yeah?Fri 23rd Oct • £11.50advNoisettesFri 23rd Oct • £10advCharlie WinstonSat 24th Oct • £13advPheonixSat 24th Oct • £14advBring Me The HorizonSat 24th Oct • £7advTommy ReillySat 24th Oct • £6.50advMy Passion

Mon 26th Oct • £18.50adv

The Dead WeatherTues 27th Oct • £20adv

Indigo GirlsTues 27th Oct • £15adv

Billy TalentWed 28th Oct • £35adv

MaxwellWed 28th Oct • £12.50adv

The RakesThurs 29th Oct • £14adv

Calvin HarrisThurs 29th Oct • £15adv

IdlewildFri 30th Oct • £12.50adv

FightstarSat 31st Oct • £12adv

Imperial Never Say Die! Tour 2009Sun 1st Nov • £9adv

Passion PitTues 3rd Nov • £8adv

Street DogsWed 4th Nov • £13.50adv

Exit CalmThurs 5th Nov • £13.50adv

PuressenceFri 6th Oct • £7adv

The CheekFri 6th Oct • £12.50adv

ClutchSat 7th Oct • £9adv

The AirbourneToxic Event

2

Brum Notes MagazineThe Moseley Exchange149-153 Alcester RoadMoseleyBirminghamB13 8JPinfo@brumnotes.comTo advertise contact:advertising@brumnotes.com

Editor: Sean O’MuirContributors:Words: Matt Geary, Jeremy Diaper, Ben Russell, Chris Walker, James Collins, Lyle Bignon, Pictures: Katja Ogrin, Jason Sheldon, Adrian Burrows,Stefano Brivio.Website: Cellar Door DesignDesign: Andy AitkenAll 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.comFind us on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter.Read us in print.

Please mention Brum Notes Magazine when replying to adverts.

contentsNEWS4-9: Been wondering how many people bothered to set foot on the Birmingham city centre beach? Well, we’ll tell you. Plus some other random information and the chance to win some stuff.

FEATURES9: The Boxer RebellionEpic pioneers on releasing a real life CD. 10: The Maccabees.Arty popsters promise some surprises. 11: Mando Diao plus Mumford & Sons.Swedish garage rockers and

smooth talking folkers. Not talking to each other, just sharing a page. 12: The DestroyersPoet frontman takes a break from buying bananas and fish from the market to talk up the new album. 14: The Temper TrapAussie advert conquerors on the perils of getting out a guitar in confined spaces. 16: EditorsThey’re bored of being asked why they are so dark so we ask some equally boring questions about Birmingham.And about the new album as well.

REVIEWS20: LiveAcademy opening weekend special. 22: RecordsNew albums from Editors, Jamie T, Mumford & Sons and more.

FOOD AND DRINK24: Comfort FoodOur tips on the best places to grab some hearty grub as the dark nights draw in.

LISTINGS27: Gig GuideYour comprehensive guide to gigs throughout October.

Brum Notes Magazine: Issue 1, October 2009

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WELCOME to the very first issue of Brum Notes Magazine, your brand new free, monthly guide to music and lifestyle across Birming-ham and the West Midlands. Each month we’ll be aiming to bring you bang up to date with the latest musical happenings and other events worth knowing about around the region and beyond. You’ll get the most comprehensive monthly gig guide around covering gigs of all sizes, as well as reviews from the hottest live shows and the latest album releases, interviews with your favourite artists and some tasty competitions. You can also expect a hearty helping of features on fashion, food and drink and any other worthwhile cultural goings-on. We’ll be getting bigger and better each month so we want to hear from you about what you’d like to see in the pages of Brum Notes Magazine. You can drop us a line at info@brumnotes.com or find us on the usual social networking sites. We also have a lovely new website at www.brumnotes.com where you can have your say and keep up to date with daily developments, find out how to get your hands on gig tickets and read some exclusive online features. Enjoy!

OCS PERFORM IN SELFRIDGES !NO ONE STEALS ANY CLOTHES!Brummie stalwarts Ocean Colour Scene marked the opening of the city’s brand spanking new £5.5m O2 Academy in bizarre style by...er, playing in a clothes shop. ‘The Scene’ played an exclusive acoustic set in Selfridges as part of the launch party, before Editors officially opened the venue itself the following night. The Academy has relocated to the former Dome nightclub building off Bristol Street and boasts colour changing urinals as well as a whopping new sound system and a host of other delights. Turn to page 20 for coverage and pictures from the opening weekend, which also featured performances from The Twang and The Streets.

pic by Katja Ogrin pic by Jason Sheldon

Comics from far and wide will be descending on the West Midlands this month for the Birmingham Comedy Festival. The annual gigglefest takes place at venues of all sizes across the city from October 2 to 11. Highlights including award-winning Irish comic and mini-piano wielding David

O’Doherty (pictured) at the Glee Club on October 9, while on October 3 The Electric Cinema will give

people a rare chance to watch Monty Python and the Holy Grail on the big screen. Frank Carson, Rich Hall and Rob Brydon are among the more established acts appearing, while there will be a whole host of up-and-coming talent to check out and/or heckle.Full details at www.bhamcomfest.co.uk.

Still mourning the end of the festival season?Well, stop crying into your pear cider because the winter festival season is nearly upon us.And to celebrate we’ve got a pair of three day passes worth £170 for the FS04 Freeze Festival in London, featuring the finest in snowsports entertainment set against a stunning live soundtrack from the likes of Friendly Fires, Orbital and Calvin Harris.We’re even throwing in two train tickets to get yourselves to London and back, thanks to those lovely people at Chiltern Railways. The Freeze festival runs from October 30 to November 1 at London’s iconic Battersea Power Station and has plenty to get you dreaming of snow-covered slopes and steaming Glühwein.

Boasting a 32m snow jump, 500 tonnes of real snow and 200 ski and board competitors from acround the globe, Freeze is the UK’s biggest snowsports and music festival.Away from the snow, there will be headline performances from Friendly Fires, Eagles of Death Metal and Orbital, as well as DJ sets from Pendulum and Calvin Harris.For ticket details visit www.londonfreeze.com. See www.chilternrailways.co.uk to book advance travel to London from just £5.

news

LONDON FREEZE FESTIVAL: WIN TICKETS

TO WIN, TELL US: How many tonnes of real snow will be used at this year’s Freeze festival?Email your answers to competitions@brumnotes.com with name, age and contact details by Oct 23.

CAT STEVENS TO HIT THE ROAD AGAINCat Stevens will play in Birmingham as part of his first tour in more than 30 years.The star, now known as Yusuf Islam, will play at the NIA on November 23, as part of just a handful of dates. The show will include material from his new musical Moonshadow.See www.brumnotes.com for ticket information.

BRUM FUNNYFEST RETURNS

page six news

Birmingham’s city centre beach attracted record numbers of visitors despite a stuttering summer in terms of weather. According to council figures, more than 155,000 set foot on the sand in Chamberlain Square this summer, topping last year’s total of 141,000. My word.

In other numbers-related news, more than 600,000 clubbers have been through the doors of £5m superclub Gatecrasher since it opened its doors in Broad Street last September.

And while we’re at it, more than 270,000 people attended events as part of this year’s ArtsFest, including a world-record breaking 857 people taking part in a mass Bhangra dance.

A replacement for the much-

missed Little Civic is set to open in Wolverhampton this month. A new home has been found for the smallest of the three Civic Hall venues, to replace the former base in North Street which closed its doors in June when the lease expired. Bosses decided to seek an alternative space due to concerns over disability access and fire regulations.The musical hotspot has instead been moved to what was formerly C4 on the corner of Broad Street and Fryer Street. It is hoped the

new building will recreate the same cosy atmosphere while accommodating larger audiences of up to 550 people. It is expected to open on October 27.Over the years, the Little Civic proved a worthy stomping ground for many local acts as well as various touring bands who later went on to enjoy huge success, including the likes of Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Arctic Monkeys

and Kasabian.Civic Halls manager Mark Blackstock said: “It is much larger than North Street, giving us increased capacities of between 200 and 500 people which in turn means bigger and better acts along with more of the same.“Relocating the Little Civic at C4 will bring our offer in line with our competitors in places like Birmingham and Manchester.”

Big future for Little CivicPopular Wolverhampton venue to be relocated

Baggy indie legend Ian Brown will be returning to Birmingham this winter as he tours his latest record.

The shows will be the first following the release of his sixth studio album, My Way, on Fiction last week.The ex-Stone Roses singer will be at the new O2 Academy in Birmingham on December 18.Ticket details at www.brumnotes.com.

MONKEY BACK IN BUSINESS

WIN! SYMPHONY HALL TICKETS World music extraordinaires Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, will be at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on October 8 and we have a pair of tickets up for grabs for this special show.Lucky winners can also get their hands on two copies of the Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall 2 CD album, so if you miss out on the gig, you can relive the atmosphere in your living room.Orquesta features an extraordinary 13-piece line-up of stalwarts

direct from Havana. To enter, just tell us which famous Cuban cocktail has white rum, lime and mint as its main ingredients?Email your answer, name, age and contact details to competitions@brumnotes.com by October 6.

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Just bring a copy of this voucher

to the show’s ticket office

This voucher enables you when

purchasing a full adult ticket to

an additional Adult ticket FREE

Terms & conditions: These tickets are not for re-sale

and have no cash value. This voucher must be submitted

at the ticket office. Valid Friday or Saturday only.For more show information visit

www.britishskiandboardshow.co.uk

ITS ALL

SKI+BOARDING

AT THE NEC

2FOR1TICKET OFFER

BIRMINGHAM NEC

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IT’S SNOW TIMEEVEN if you’re not lucky enough to make it to the London Freeze festival this month, you can still get in the mood for the slopes a little closer to home. The annual British Ski and Board Show will be returning to the NEC from October 30 to November 1 in what will be its 21st year.Visitors will be able to enjoy the gravity defying Big Air Freestyle display team, featuring Olympic and World Champions on Europe’s largest indoor ski ramp, while beginners can even try their luck with free skiing and snowboarding lessons. There will of course be plenty of opportunities for you to get kitted out for the new season and check out the latest gear, gadgets and threads. Advance tickets start at £4 but you can bag a bargain thanks to Brum Notes Magazine with the handy 2-for-1 voucher below. More details at www.britishskiandboardshow.co.uk.

CALL OF THE WILDLeeds-based indie popsters Wild Beasts will be bringing their haunting sounds to the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath this month.Yorkshire songstress Blue Roses provides

support for an evening of ethereal, floaty goodness. Tickets £8.50.

DOUBLE FOLKEDAlt-folk night Bohemian Jukebox is now thriving at two Brum venues. Check it out at the Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, on the second Thursday of the month or at The Victoria in the city centre every fourth Thursday of the month.

GET CLASSICALBirmingham Contemporary Music Group kicks off its new season of stunning classical concerts on October 16.Launch night includes a double concert showcasing exclusive new pieces. Details at www.bcmg.org.uk.

BOXING CLEVERUnsigned but unbowed, THE BOXER REBELLION on their fight for survival and independenceHAVING released their latest album without any label backing, The Boxer Rebellion have been hailed as indie heroes. They caused a mini-storm back in January when Union – then a digital-only release – was not officially recognised in the UK charts because it did not have a physical

counterpart. The fuss created by the band’s fans has been partly credited for a change in rules in this country.“I feel like it’s pretty cool that they did it,” says US-born frontman Nathan Nicholson.“I know we weren’t fully responsible but if we had a hand in it that’s good.”Despite the change,

the band have now re-released the album in CD form, but have remained free from the shackles of a label deal. “We had a few talks but nothing really seemed to suit for us so we just decided for the time being to do it ourselves. We’ve got a really good manager so it is kind of like we are working as a small label

anyway. We don’t have to answer to anyone and when we have a meeting it’s between the four of us and the manager.“It will be interesting to see if it makes an impact.“I don’t think we’ve led the way but I think this way will keep growing because it is becoming easier and easier.”

WITH one of the finest albums of the year and a string of festival triumphs under their collective belt, The Maccabees certainly have reason to celebrate.Second-album-syndrome clearly held no fears for the London-turned-Brighton boys who stormed back earlier this year with Wall of Arms, a fleshed-out and brooding development on the indie art-pop of 2006

debut Colour It In. And as they prepare to hit the road for their biggest tour to date, the band are determined to enjoy it. “The band is at a really great place at the moment,” says guitarist Hugo White.“Reading and Leeds were amazing, we had such a good time.“We were able to get our music out there to a whole different audience.“We’ve even been offered a gig in Africa.

It’s part of the Lake of Stars festival in Malawi.“It’s pretty bizarre but that’s one of the great things about being in a band, you get the opportunity to travel and do things you wouldn’t ever have the chance to do normally.”Closer to home, Hugo promises audiences in England will be in for some “surprises.”“These are some of the biggest shows that we have ever done and we’re all really excited.

“All the shows on this tour will be a kind of celebration of both our albums not just the new one, and we’ll be playing songs from them both.“We’ll also be doing a few covers and may even have a few surprises up our sleeves but unfortunately I can’t say exactly what.”•The Maccabees play Birmingham O2 Academy on October 1. Visit www.brumnotes.com for ticket details and review.

THE MACCABEES

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SWEDISH garage rockers Mando Diao are renowned for their dance floor-baiting live shows.Now the firebrand five-piece are hoping fifth album Give Me Fire! can capture that same energy.“The record is slightly different this time,

more mainstream, a bit more danceable, if that is more mainstream, I don’t know,” says frontman Bjorn Dixgard.“We are like a dance band when we go out and play. We want to create a good environment for having a good time

and drinking alcohol, or whatever people feel like.”“You have a lot of really good bands in England and a lot of bands that do that same musical style that we do. The thing we add is some Swedish melodies, a bit of darkness and a lot of energy.

“Touring Sweden is very different to every other country. If you go outside of Stockholm you play in front of five dogs and five alcoholics. We don’t tour too much over here.“You miss your loved ones at home, but it’s two different worlds, you go into another dimension when you are on the road. Music is our passion and we couldn’t do anything else, we have no choice. “We love it at the end of the day.”•Give Me Fire! is out on October 5.•Read the review on p22.

MANDO DIAO

EVER wondered what it would be like to hear yourselves on the radio for the first time? Well, it’s “vaguely comical” according to Mumford & Sons.The banjo-wielding outfit are the latest to emerge from London’s “clique” of modern folk artists, following in the footsteps of friends including Laura Mar-ling and Noah and the Whale.Breakthrough track Little Lion Man, a pre-cursor to debut album Sigh No More, has been championed on Radio 1, but was never intended as a single, according to double

bassist Ted Dwane. “We just wanted to send something out for radio but people seem to really be enjoying it,” he says. “We come from a little clique of musicians in London, of people who don’t really see them-selves as qualified to be doing what we are do-ing, we just like to sing songs and make noises. “We are just in it for the love, I know eve-ryone says that, but it is just vaguely comical that they want to play

us on the radio – but it’s great.”“The music industry has been so rich and pow-erful for so long, telling people what to listen to. A lot of people generally don’t go out hunting for music, they just eat what they are fed. “But now I think they are getting a bit more discerning. With so

much electronic music around now, I think people are looking for something with a little more heart and a bit of a sing-song.” •Sigh No More is out on October 5.•See p22 for the review.

MUMFORD & SONS

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Ever wondered what the bouquet

of an incendiary device mixed with ‘sedition’ and ‘festival’ would smell like?A live show by Birmingham’s own gypsy punk act The Destroyers could be the closest you’ll get to finding out. Trying to bottle the essence of the genre-dodging musical firebrands, fresh from the release of debut album Out of Babel, is as daunting a task as

getting the Gallagher brothers together for a Hello! photoshoot. “We do subvert the traditional notion of a band,” admits frontman Paul Murphy. The ex-Songwriters Cafe proprietor and ranting punk poet tries to explain as he puts away a bag of bananas (“£1!”) and whole salmon (“£8!”) he has just purchased from the market. “New vaudeville might be one way to describe us – but we’re

definitely the opposite of a shoegazing band.” Described in equal measure by commentators as ‘insane’, ‘chaotic’ and ‘one of the most interesting acts the UK has seen in a long time’, The Destroyers, in Murphy’s own words “smoulder like a device in the corner,” likening their style, which takes in Klezmer, Mariachi, Balkan, Trad Irish, ska, gypsy jazz and punk-polka amongst other music, to “the new

pic by Adrian Burrows

Esperanto of music.”“This year the status of The Destroyers has definitely gone up a notch, particularly within the festival circuit ” Murphy adds. “We played five shows in four days at Glastonbury and performed our first show at Sidmouth Folk Festival which says a lot about how we’ve been accepted by various music scenes. I came up through the traditional folk scene, back in the days where you weren’t allowed to play contemporary songs, or perform with a guitar. Much of that has changed now.”The 15-piece band met at the infamous Speedwell Arts Centre (SAC) – a house in south Birmingham which hosted late night jam parties in a converted basement, attracting a diverse crowd of musicians and artists. It was at the SAC, amongst the jazz, graffiti and

mouths of babelRenowned for their chaotic live shows, 15-piece gypsy folk outfit The Destroyers have hit the studio to record their debut album. Just don’t try and describe it.

out of the

dub, that a group of ex-Conservatoire graduates began playing up-tempo eastern European folk music together. “It was a space free of constraints,” Murphy recalls. “A real melting pot of collaboration where music would be played at any time and reflected all that is Birmingham – easily the most culturally diverse place anywhere in the UK.”As the music stands, sheet music and other music school props began to disappear from the stages, The Destroyers moved forward through collaborations with artists such as Punjabi drumming sensations The Dhol Blasters and annual film festival promoters Flatpack. Further kudos arrived with the production of Out of Babel by Gavin Monaghan from Wolverhampton’s Magic Garden studios, a producer known for

his work with the likes of Editors, The Twang, Scott Matthews and Ocean Colour Scene.But despite Murphy’s heavy contribution to song-writing within the band, he insists The Destroyers are the total sum of their parts. “The individual and collective voice is paramount, as are the small creative clusters within the band and those key moments together before or after a show. “Getting this first album out of the way took a while but now we’re already gathering ideas for the second album, it’s important we harness everyone’s passion during that process.“The feeling of the first cellophane wrapped copy of Out of Babel in my hands was just wonderful.” • Out of Babel is out now.• The Destroyers play Birmingham Town Hall on October 11.

words by Lyle Bignon

TEMPER, TEMPERAntipodean epic rockers THE TEMPER TRAP on England, life on the road and that song .If you have a

television then the chances are you’ve heard The Temper Trap, even if you’ve never heard of them. The soar-away anthem Sweet Disposition has become the unofficial soundtrack to the soggy summer, by virtue of its appearance on everything from football adverts to festival coverage montages.The Aussie shoegazers have made England their second home, shacking up in a shared house in London six months ago before embarking on a gruelling touring schedule across Europe and the USA.But with business to attend to - and by business I mean playing to sell-out crowds around the country - it is rare they get a chance to sit around eating pizza and watching

Hollyoaks. “It’s more like a base in between shows,” says guitarist Lorenzo Sillitto.“It’s good to have a place where you can have some downtime. “England has been really good to us since we got here and people are starting to embrace us by the amount of people coming to our shows.” It’s not as if The Temper Trap upped sticks as things weren’t working out at home. Sweet Disposition had catapulted them to new heights down under as well, with the euphoric atmosphere of the tune making it a favourite on Australian television and radio too.“I don’t listen to the radio so I don’t hear it too much, I just feel sorry for everyone else having to hear it all the time. It was kind of flogged in Australia as

well, although I must say I love playing it. It’s getting used for AFL (Aussie rules football) back in Australia as well. We’re fans of both what we call soccer and AFL so it works for us.” Lorenzo agrees the track has helped put them in what he calls a “very privileged” position.“I’ve been to more places this year than I ever have in my life. I’ve been to Japan, that was pretty awesome and Norway and all through Scandinavia which I didn’t really think we would be doing. We’ve been offered shows in India and China but we just haven’t got enough time to do them all at the moment. We’ve still got a lot of commitments and things to do before this album is done.“We’ve all got ideas [for new material] and

we’re starting to piece things together but I don’t know when the chance is that we will actually be able to get down and solidify it until maybe early next year, which seems a long time. “We don’t have a tour bus where we can get together and play or write songs. I’ve bought a four track and I’ll start putting things down on that so I don’t forget them. We have a splitter van which is cosy for the five of us.“We’re still not megastars yet so we have to do it on the cheap. It’s still cool, we’ve got DVDs, Wifi and read books and I’ve got a Sony PSP which keeps me entertained but you can’t really whip out a guitar or you’d probably whack someone in the face.”•Conditions is out now.•For pictures of their Hare & Hounds show see www.brumnotes.com.

TEMPER, TEMPER

DARK KNIGHTSBrum torch-bearers EDITORS are back. And they’ve brought some synthesisers.

Editors 2009: (l-r) Ed Lay, Tom Smith, Russell Leetch, Chris Urbanowicz.

It’s fair to say Editors have come a long way since their early days working the Midlands circuit.Having met at Stafford University, the band relocated to Birmingham before ploughing their way around the city’s usual haunts. It was their trademark sound of biting, delay-soaked guitars and brooding melodies which helped catapult them beyond Birmingham’s scene, but now they have returned with a third album and a bold new electronic sound. The band’s only remaining Birmingham resident, drummer Ed Lay, recounts their reinvention.

What can people expect from the new album?Unusual sounds and great melodies. We have really embraced new electronic instruments and vintage synths to give a synthetic soul to the entire album. Humans playing with machines.

How has your writing and recording process changed over the course of the three albums?A lot of the parts to

this record were written individually, in our own space. But every track was initially recorded live, unlike most of our previous recordings. We wanted to get a groove and emotion that wasn’t possible to get if we simply recorded every instrument separately, layer upon layer.

Have you felt any extra pressures on the third album or have your previous successes given you more freedom to explore your sound?None of us have felt uncomfortable with any pressure we may have been under. We all knew that we had to make a statement with this album, and we all had the confidence to experiment with all aspects of our music. Mostly, we just had to go into the studio, work hard on a bunch of good songs, and have fun.

What will it be like heading out on the road again for a full tour?I love getting settled into a tour. The promo shows, festivals and interviews we have been doing so far stop us from getting into a good rhythm, so I relish the opportunity to play better, night after night on a proper headline

tour.

Despite your success, you’ve avoided tabloid-style attention - a conscious effort?None of us are interested in any aspect of celebrity. That may sound a little naive, seeing as we need to

be heard on radio, seen in videos and photo shoots to further our careers. But we have always focused on our music when appearing in the media, and never flaunt ourselves for a quick snap from the paparazzi by doing something crude.

page seventeen

How did you feel being chosen to open the new Birmingham Academy?We felt incredibly proud opening up what is not only an important venue for music in the city, but will be for the Midlands. We have played in all sorts of different venues in the city, and have always been really well supported since the early days, so were delighted to be given the opportunity to play our new material here first.

How fondly do you remember your early

days in Stafford and Birmingham?We all met in Stafford, but Birmingham gave us a great home when we were starting out with the band, and the rest of the band - all non residents now - have a great time when they return. We are proud to be thought of

as a Birmingham band.

What do you make of the current Midlands music scene, any bands or artists we should look out for?Maybe not a new name, but I love the stuff that Sunset Cinema Club have produced over the

last couple of years. Anything they get involved in, I know I will appreciate and so should you.

What did you think about the demise of the Jug of Ale?Bit confused as to why its still standing there? Russ and I DJ’d at the supposed last night ever of that place as a pub, and I still have the poster hanging around my house.

• In This Light and On This Evening is out October 12.•Editors play Wolves Civic on October 25.

MY MIDLANDS:Editors drummer Ed Lay picks his favourite haunts:

Best place to buy records: Polar Bear, Kings HeathFavourite gig venue: Wolverhampton, Civic Hall

Favourite clothes shop: A2, Ethel Street. Best place for a curry: Kababish, Moseley

Favourite bar : The Pat Kav, MoseleyFavourite club: The Rainbow, Digbeth

See more possibly sarcastic tips at www.brumnotes.com.

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livepage twenty

academy opening special

EDITORSO2 Academy,BirminghamSeptember 10All hail! The sticky floors have gone! There’s lots of fancy television screens and you can actually hear the bands!There were lots of reasons to celebrate as adopted Brummies Editors took to the stage to blow away the smell of paint at the new £5.5m Academy.Somehow, though,

things didn’t quite fall into place. A strangely subdued crowd gave a mixed response to the airing of new material, which bravely showcased the band’s new electronic, synth-heavy sound. If it felt like a learning curve for the new venue staff, it seemed similar for the band, with frontman Tom appearing apologetic and nervous at times.Don’t worry, it was just a warm-up.Sean O’Muir

THE STREETSSeptember 12Mike Skinner stag-gered onto the stage looking less like the Mike Skinner we know and more like the Mike Skinner we remember. Clean shaven with a full head of hair, he launched into Let’s Push Things Forward. Skinner and his long time singing partner Leo the Lion deliv-ered a crowd pleasing set, favouring popular anthems.

Where Skinner truly excels is in his interac-tion with the audience. He would embrace the crowd, pose for photos and speak on mobiles without missing his cues. He may have advertised forthcoming album Computers and the Blues as the dark-est album he has ever done, however with the energy and ecstasy his performances deliver he’ll have to work on his sullenness.Chris Walker

OCEAN COLOUR SCENESeptember 13Cheers welcomed the band who opened with an enfilade of gunfire hits such as the The Riverboat Song, You’ve Got It Bad and The Circle. Frontman Simon Fowler, with his northern soul bellow, seemed on particular form throwing in a few Ziggy Stardust shapes to boot. On a night where passions were already bubbling

due to the day’s earlier derby match, a highlight was a rollicking performance of anti-war song ‘Profit In Peace’. Naturally, a few new tunes such as ‘Magic Carpet Days’ were thrown in to a somewhat conservative response. The Day We Caught The Train ended the set in typical football terrace chant style with both crowd and Fowler ecstatically inebriated.Matt Geary

THE TWANGO2 Academy,BirminghamSeptember 11With an array of bands on in each of the three Academy rooms, The Twang had promised a festival atmosphere for the second night of the new venue. What they got was more akin to a football crowd and The Twang volleyed back at them with glee. Posturing and purposeful, frontman Phil Etheridge bound about the stage like every bit the rock star. Earlier on in the evening, The Traps had got things underway, firing out solid balls of indie pop near-perfection, while

tucked away in the Academy 2, Subkicks were captivating.But it was The Twang who the majority were there to see and the excitement boiled over as they eventually took to the stage, with over-priced beer flying about long before it prompted a rant from the frontman.What The Twang lack in originality, they make up for in brazen, balls-out rock attitude. Etheridge teased and toyed with the crowd at every opportunity, whipping up the atmosphere to create the sense of occasion that was sadly lacking from the Editors previously. Forgettable tunes, but a memorable night. James Collins

page twenty-one

When Jamie T burst onto the scene with Mercury nominated debut Panic Prevention, there was a feeling it was more style than substance, with his rough London act appearing little more than a gimmick.But he has returned after two and a half

years with one of the most original records of recent times. Witty and thought-provoking, it lurches between rampant energy and moments of mellow calm.His obvious talent for weaving gritty tales is underpinned by a strong musical tradition, plucking influences from a variety of sources, be it ska, punk, soul or straight-up rap. A unique talent and a special album.

Ooh, looky who’s got some synthesisers? I really didn’t expect to like this record. In fact I’d already half written

the review in my head, with lots of clichéd references to Editors jumping on the 80s synth bandwagon.The press pack arrived with a slightly bizarre letter to the listener from frontman Tom Smith. At times it sounds like an apology, while elsewhere it is just a defiant

two-fingers to any predictable criticism for going ‘all electronic’. Either way it smacks of someone who was really expecting some kind of backlash, admitting that “this album will alienate some Editors fans, it will split opinion...good.” The slower tracks have never quite rung true on previous Editors albums but the layered, brooding

atmosphere of album closer Walk the Fleet Road is a triumph, while single Papillon is unmistakably Editors, with its catchy hook and soar-away chorus. They may have ditched the guitars, but they have retained the unerring sense of melody. The constant buzz of electronic noises can grate but overall it is worth persevering.

EDITORSIn This Light And On This Evening(Kitchenware/Columbia)

recordspage twenty-two

If, as Mumford & Sons bassist Ted claims, music fans are looking for something with a bit more heart, then they can certainly find a sizeable chunk of it on this stunning debut. At times it is haunting, others euphoric, but their blend of old time, sepia-tinted bluegrass

and shimmering folk-pop sounds fresh, vibrant and uplifting. Banjos and double bass may give the impression of a derivative novelty act, but together the band mould delicious harmonies with overpowering melodies. And as they planned, it just makes you want to have a good old sing song. An almost perfect piece of modern folk, with tunes that linger long after you press stop.

MUMFORD & SONSSigh No More(Gentlemen of the Road/Island)

JAMIE TKings & Queens(Virgin)

Birmingham pianist Rich Batsford’s modu-lar, ambient, minimal-ist style is a perfect accompaniment for candlelight relaxation.Lyndall opens with his idiosyncratic touches carrying a wistful la-ment, announcing the tone of the album.The joyous So Steve

rings of Steve Reich, whilst Sensawunda hints of Debussy brooding with under-currents of emotion.Valentine Court is a neo-classical piano record which follows its own vision and passion, combining unobtru-sive, soothing textures and hypnotic, complex rhythms.Meditative, unpreten-tious and reflective, it is an album which pays homage to its influ-ences.Matt Geary

It would be really dull to write a review about a Scandinavian guitar band that compared them to The Hives or Soulwax.But even so, Mando Diao do sound a bit like both The Hives

and Soulwax. They sound a bit like Franz Ferdinand too, with some Stax soul thrown in. Bjorn’s gruff-voiced bellowing adds real soul to the shameless melodies, while the pumping bass and sprinkling of brass keeps things interesting among some of the less adventurous pop-rock standards.

It’s like getting your own pop-up gypsy-folk-punk mash-up in a handy little pack.The Destroyers are a band not to be missed playing live and this debut album attempts to capture that same

energy. It certainly succeeds for the most part, with title track Out of Babel a stand-out highlight. Paul Murphy’s twisted mythologies weave tales of intrigue over the top of a frantic cacophony of instruments. Some of the instrumentals are more for the purists but a party record nonetheless.

The aptly named ‘Union’ is a fitting testament to the bands dedication and continu-al triumph over adver-sity, having released it without a label.From the pounding tribal drums in the opening of Flashing Red Light Means Go through to the passion-

ate urgency of Evacu-ate, The Boxer Rebel-lion create a deeply brooding atmosphere which amalgamates OK Computer era Radiohead with the transcendent beauty of early Verve to create their own blend of gui-tar distorted indie. It is a breathtaking combo of instantly memorable melodies and heart-wrenching falsetto gracefully floating above delay-layered soundscapes.Jeremy Diaper

RICH BASFORDValentine Court

THE DESTROYERSOut of Babel(Destruction Records)

MANDO DIAOGive Me Fire!(Universal)

THE BOXER REBELLIONUnion(Self release)

page twenty-three

food & drink

Mad O’Rourke’s Pie FactoryHurst Lane, Tipton0121 557 1402

On a chilly autumn’s day you

surely can’t get better than tucking into a nice, hot pie.And what better place to try that than a pub calling itself the Pie Factory.

To say this is a Black Country institution would be an understatement and one visit is enough to show you why.The term ‘proper pub’ is often bandied around these days and the Pie Factory plays up to that image, with saw dust on the floor and all manner of quirky boozer

memorabilia adorning the walls. As for the food, it is not for the faint-hearted. The pies are more like bowls of hearty stew, topped with a puff pastry lid. Those who like a challenge surely have to tackle the Desperate Dan Cow Pie, complete with pastry horns.

It’s described as a meal in itself, with steak, kidney, veg and potatoes ladled in.The pub is certainly not resting on its laurels either, with a range of other tasty sounding pies including jerk chicken, steak and Stilton and vegetable and ricotta. Just leave some room before you go.

As the nights draw in, we look at the best places to grab some good old-fashioned comfort food...

page twenty-four

Canalside CafeGas Street, Birmingham0121 248 7979

Quite possibly one of the city’s finest pubs and a real hidden gem. Fantastic range of warming bottled ales and the quirky cottage interior is a fantastic hideaway next to a roaring fire. As for food, lashings of chilli con carne served with chunky bread or hearty vegetable soup would warm anyone on a wintery day, while the cakes and pastries are another treat.

Urban PieBullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham0121 643 0040

An obvious choice perhaps, but for good reason. Perfectly baked pies, with innovative flavours and cute presentation. It’s a perfect spot to escape the madness of the Bullring and huddle under the outdoor heaters. Bargain hunters will also find plenty of comfort in the sale prices after 5pm.

page twenty-five

Gold © by Wolfgang Tillmans – Courtesy of the artist and Maureen Paley, London

BCMGwww.bcmg.org.uk

Sat 14 Nov 2009, 6pm & 8pmCBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF

In advance: £14 full price / £8 conc / £5 under 16sOn the door: £15 full price / £9 conc / £6 under 16sBook online: www.bcmg.org.uk or by phone: 0121 767 4050

The thrilling Brothers Grimm tale of greed and come-uppance, with its age-old themes of transformation, ritual and revelation, told as you’ve never heard it before through dance, action and music alone.

World Premiere Performances

A grotesque fable for our times

DIZZEE RASCALMarch 31, Wolves Civic£20, www.wolvescivic.co.ukIAN BROWNDec 18, O2 Academy£24, www.ticketweb.co.uk.THE POGUESDec 16, O2 Academy£29.50, www.ticketweb.co.uk.FLAMING LIPSNov 17, O2 Academy£20, www.ticketweb.co.uk.

gig guide

Catch some of the best artists and illustrators around battling it out at black ink on white board at SECRET WARS BIRMINGHAM. First couple of heats take place at The Rainbow on October 4 and 18 to select the final team members. Details at www.secretwars.co.uk.Get in the Halloween spirit by catching the eerie silent movie special at Birmingham Town Hall, showing THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, 1925 version, on October 31 with prizes for fancy dress. Tickets £15 from www.thsh.co.uk.Drinks will be flying at the ISLAND BAR FLAIR CHALLENGE on October 11, claiming to be the biggest flair bartending competition the West Midlands has ever seen with competitors from all over. Doors 5pm, £2 entry.Perrier Award-winning comic JEREMY HARDY will be at The Glee Club in Birmingham on Oct 28, while the hilarious MILTON JONES will bring the laughs to the Wulfrun Hall in Wolves on Oct 29.

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

PICK OF THE MONTH:GIGS

CLUB NIGHTS

OTHER ENTERTAINMENT: BOOKING AHEAD

1. THE BLACK SEEDS, Oct 3, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathReggae-tinged soul and funk fusion from platinum-selling New Zealand collective. Tickets £10 adv, more info at www.jibbering.co.uk.2. WILD BEASTS, Oct 4, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathEthereal, offbeat indie pop from Leeds-based four pice, with support from Blue Roses.Tickets £8.50 adv, available at www.seetickets.com.3. EXAMPLE, Oct 8, The Rainbow, DigbethDysfunctional electro pop from the man behind summer smash hit Watch the Sun Come Up. 14+ show. Tickets £7 adv, www.seetickets.com.4. OXJAM BIRMINGHAM, Oct 24, various venuesMore than 30 of the region’s hottest acts, across six venues. Look out for Subkicks at The Flapper.Tickets £6, details at www.oxjambrum.org.uk.5. EDITORS, Oct 25, Civic Hall, WolverhamptonOk, this issue’s been a bit of an Editors love-in, but their tour should be in full flow by Oct 25.Tickets £18.50. Book at www.wolvescivic.co.uk.

1. ELECTRIC CITYOct 17, Custard FactoryBoutique autumn festival, with Groove Armada, Krafty Kuts , Utah Saints, DJ Hype & more.

2. SUPERSONIC VAGUEFridays, Gatecrasher, BrumRival indie, electro, alternative mash-up, after Propaganda’s move to the Academy.

3. HALLOWEEN FRIGHTNEROct 31, Rainbow WarehousePresented by Bigger Than Barry, complete with fancy dress and the usual badass tunes.

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.

page twenty-seven

THURSDAY OCT 1THE MACCABEES, Academy, BirminghamCLIFF RICHARD AND THE SHADOWS, Birmingham NIAAN EVENING WITH JOAN BAEZ, Symphony Hall, BirminghamMUNDY, The Glee Club, BirminghamANDY HAMILTON AND THE BLUE NOTES, Bearwood Corks Club, BearwoodFLOOD OF RED, Civic Hall Bar, WolverhamptonFRIDAY OCT 2ALL TIME LOW, Academy, BirminghamTHE TOASTERS, Academy, BirminghamPROPAGANDA FT. EDITH BOWMAN DJ SET, Academy, BirminghamZU, BEESTUNG LIPS, DAS BASTARD, The Rainbow, DigbethKAID, CHRIS TYE, The Actress & Bishop, BirminghamODEMBA OK JAZZ ALL STARS, The Drum, AstonFRED ZEPPELIN, The Robin 2, BilstonSATURDAY OCT 3BABYCAKES UK PARTIES 2K9, Academy, BirminghamJAMIE T, Academy, BirminghamTHIS CITY & XCERTS, Academy, Birmingham

CLIFF RICHARD AND THE SHADOWS, Birmingham NIAHANDEL’S MESSIAH BY THE SIXTEEN CHOIR, Town Hall, BirminghamINME, The Asylum, BirminghamBLACK SEEDS, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathTHE VOUCH, Sound Bar, BirminghamLOUTISH LOVER, The Actress & Bishop, BirminghamUK GUNS N ROSES, Wulfrun Hall, WolverhamptonHEY MONDAY, Civic Hall Bar, WolverhamptonTREVOR BURTON BAND, The Public, West BromwichTHE ZICO CHAIN, Kasbah, CoventrySUNDAY OCT 4GENERAL FIASCO, Academy, BirminghamCLIFF RICHARD AND THE SHADOWS, Birmingham NIAJANE MCDONALD, Symphony Hall, BirminghamJOHN SMITH, The Glee Club, BirminghamWILD BEASTS, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathMONDAY OCT 5BLUE OCTOBER US, Academy, BirminghamWAVE MACHINES, Academy, BirminghamDOLL & THE KICKS, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath

SWASHBUCKLE, Civic Hall Bar, WolverhamptonCASIO KIDS, Kasbah, CoventryTUESDAY OCT 6DANIEL MERRIWEATHER, Academy, BirminghamPAPA ROACH, Civic Hall, WolverhamptonSOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR, Warwick Arts Centre, CoventryWEDNESDAY OCT 7THE KING BLUES, Academy, BirminghamANIMAL KINGDOM, Academy, BirminghamRICHARD HAWLEY, Town Hall, BirminghamTHE PARLOTONES, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathJOHNNY FOREIGNER, The Flapper, BirminghamTHURSDAY OCT 8LETHAL BIZZLE, Academy, BirminghamSUBKICKS, Academy, BirminghamORQUESTA BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, Symphony Hall, BirminghamEXAMPLE, The Rainbow, DigbethSOUR MASH, The Actress & Bishop, BirminghamSTARLESS & BIBLE BLACK, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathBOBBY WELLINS WITH THE TONY RICHARDS TRIO, Bearwood Corks Club,

BearwoodTHE CULT, Civic Hall, WolverhamptonFRIDAY OCT 9SONIC BOOM SIX, Academy, BirminghamPROPAGANDA FT BLOC PARTY (DJ SET) + MAT HORNE, Academy, BirminghamOUTHOUSE RUHABI, CBSO Centre, BirminghamTHE DRINK, The Actress & Bishop, BirminghamDJ ROLANDO, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathDINKY, The Station, Kings HeathACOUSTIC PROTOTYPE, The Public, West BromwichTHE BEAT, The Robin 2, BilstonSATURDAY OCT 10BLACK STONE CHERRY, Academy, BirminghamBADDIES, Academy, BirminghamSOUND OF GUNS, The Flapper, BirminghamDISTANT SIGNAL, The Actress & Bishop, BirminghamCINEPHONIC #3, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathNICK PRIDE & THE PIMPTONES, The Yardbird, BirminghamERIC ROBERSON, The Drum, AstonSKINDRED, Wulfrun Hall, WolverhamptonNME RADAR TOUR, Civic Hall Bar, Wolverhampton

DIZZY LIZZY, The Public, West BromwichFLASHGUNS, Kasbah, CoventrySUNDAY OCT 11THE DESTROYERS, THE TOY HEARTS, THE OLD DANCE SCHOOL, Town Hall, BirminghamKILL IT KID, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathBATTLE IN THE BOX, The Drum, AstonMONDAY OCT 12GO:AUDIO, Academy, BirminghamKATE WALSH, The Glee Club, BirminghamECHO & THE BUNNYMEN, Wulfrun Hall, WolverhamptonTHE CHAPMAN FAMILY, Kasbah, CoventryTUESDAY OCT 13ENTER SHIKARI, Academy, BirminghamDAN MICHAELSON AND THE COASTGUARDS, Academy, BirminghamZERO 7, Town Hall, BirminghamNERINA PALLOT, The Glee Club, BirminghamWEDNESDAY OCT 14TEITUR, The Glee Club, BirminghamTHE SLITS, The Rainbow, DigbethTHURSDAY OCT 15BLOC PARTY, Academy, BirminghamTHE MISERABLE RICH, The Glee Club, BirminghamDIE! DIE! DIE!, Hare &

Hounds, Kings HeathANDY HAMILTON & THE BLUE NOTES, Bearwood Corks Club, BearwoodTHE ENID, The Robin 2, BilstonGAMMA FUNKULA, Kasbah, CoventryKINGS OF CONVENIENCE, Warwick Arts Centre, CoventryFRIDAY OCT 16BASSHUNTER BASS GENERATION LIVE 09, Academy, BirminghamNOAH AND THE WHALE, Academy, BirminghamLADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO, Symphony Hall, BirminghamYT LIVE, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathTHE MANHATTAN PROJECT, The Station, Kings HeathJODIE & THE JET PLANE, The Actress & Bishop, BirminghamWHITE BELT YELLOW TAG, The Rainbow, DigbethTHE DRELLAS & THE DEAD CLASS, Civic Hall Bar, WolverhamptonSATURDAY OCT 17DIZZEE RASCAL, Academy, BirminghamGIRLS, Academy, BirminghamMARY BLACK, Town Hall, BirminghamSULTANS OF PING, Hare & Hounds, Kings

HeathBABYHEAD, The Yardbird, BirminghamTHE FALLEN DUKES, The Actress & Bishop, BirminghamTHE NOLANS, Civic Hall, WolverhamptonAN EVENING WITH SEAN CANNON, The Public, West BromwichTOM HINGLEY, Kasbah, CoventrySUNDAY OCT 18THE CHEEK, Academy, BirminghamTOM JONES, LG Arena, BirminghamFEMI TEMOWO, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathNEWTON FAULKNER, Warwick Arts Centre, CoventryMONDAY OCT 19THIS WILL DESTROY YOU, Academy, BirminghamTHE BRAPP PACK TOUR FEATURING CHIPMUNK, IRONIK, KID BRITISH, MPHO,TINIE TEMPAH, EGYPT, MZ BRATT & AGGRO SANTO, Academy, BirminghamDAVID ESSEX, Symphony Hall, BirminghamTHE FELICE BROTHERS, The Glee Club, BirminghamNINE BLACK ALPS, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathFRANZ FERDINAND, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

IAN PARKER, The Robin 2, BilstonTHE RIFLES, Kasbah, CoventryTUESDAY OCT 20EASTPAK ANTIDOTE TOUR 2009, Academy, BirminghamBRENDAN BENSON, Academy, BirminghamDELAYS, Academy, BirminghamUNDERGROUND HEROES, The Flapper, BirminghamTHE DEFILED & TED MAUL, Civic Hall Bar, WolverhamptonSTIFF LITTLE FINGERS, The Robin 2, BilstonWEDNESDAY OCT 21GARY MOORE, Academy, BirminghamTHE HOLLOWAYS, Academy, BirminghamKID CANAVERAL, The Flapper, BirminghamASAKUSA JINTA, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathTHERAPY?, Wulfrun Hall, WolverhamptonLOS CAMPESINOS!, Kasbah, CoventryTHURSDAY OCT 22DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH?, Academy, BirminghamBOWLING FOR SOUP, Academy, BirminghamTERRORFORM, The Actress & Bishop, BirminghamTHOMAS DYBDAHL, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath

MARTIN TROTMAN, Bearwood Corks Club, BearwoodFRIDAY OCT 23NOISETTES, Academy, BirminghamCHARLIE WINSTON, Academy, BirminghamPROPAGANDA FT THE FUTUREHEADS (DJ SET) + GREG JAMES DJ SET, Academy, BirminghamMORRISSEY, Symphony Hall, BirminghamGERSHWIN AND SOUL, Town Hall, BirminghamJOHNNY FLYNN, The Glee Club, BirminghamCITY HERO, The Actress & Bishop, BirminghamiLIKETRAiNS, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathMAD PROFESSOR, The Drum, AstonTHE YOUNG REPUBLIC, The Rainbow, Digbeth3 DAFT MONKEYS, Civic Hall Bar, WolverhamptonDEVILDRIVER, Wulfrun Hall, WolverhamptonSATURDAY OCT 24BRING ME THE HORIZON, Academy, BirminghamPHOENIX, Academy, BirminghamMY PASSION, Academy, BirminghamSPANDAU BALLET, LG Arena, BirminghamDREADZONE, Hare &

Hounds, Kings HeathSYLOSIS, Civic Hall Bar, WolverhamptonTHE PROCLAIMERS, Warwick Arts Centre, CoventrySUNDAY OCT 25TOMMY REILLY, Academy, BirminghamSPANDAU BALLET, LG Arena, BirminghamPOLAR BEAR, The Glee Club, BirminghamMAPS, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathROBERT MITCHELL & COREY MWAMBA, The Drum, AstonEDITORS, Civic Hall, WolverhamptonJEANIE BARTON, The Public, West BromwichMONDAY OCT 26THE DEAD WEATHER, Academy, BirminghamTHE PROCLAIMERS, Symphony Hall, BirminghamJON ALLEN, The Glee Club, BirminghamTHE TWILIGHT SAD, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathTHE EIGHTIES MATCHBOX B-LINE DISASTER, Civic Hall Bar, WolverhamptonYOUR BIGGEST FANCLUB, Kasbah, CoventryTUESDAY OCT 27INDIGO GIRLS, Academy, BirminghamBILLY TALENT, Academy, BirminghamGREEN DAY, LG Arena, Birmingham

ROACHFORD, The Glee Club, BirminghamOWEN TROMANS, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathJEREMY WALMSLEY, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathZZ TOP, Civic Hall, WolverhamptonWEDNESDAY OCT 28THE RAKES, Academy, BirminghamMAXWELL, Academy, BirminghamGREEN DAY, LG Arena, BirminghamTHE NOLANS, NIA, BirminghamCOLIN MACINTYRE, The Glee Club, BirminghamEVERYTHING EVERYTHING, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathAMON AMARTH, Wulfrun Hall, WolverhamptonTHURSDAY OCT 29CALVIN HARRIS, Academy, BirminghamIDLEWILD, Academy, BirminghamTHIS BEAUTIFUL THIEF, Academy, BirminghamINVASION, The Flapper, BirminghamJOE MORRIS, Hare & Hounds, Kings HeathMILOW, The Rainbow, DigbethTHE NOTEBENDERS, Bearwood Corks Club, BearwoodTHE ZOMBIES, The Robin 2, BilstonTHE UNTHANKS,

Warwick Arts Centre, CoventryFRIDAY OCT 30FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, FIGHTSTAR, PLUS MORE, Academy, BirminghamPROPAGANDA FT JAMES BUCKLEY (THE INBETWEENERS), Academy, BirminghamPINK, NIA, BirminghamWISHBONE ASH, Town Hall, BirminghamDELPHIC, The Rainbow, DigbethLITTLE BOOTS, Wulfrun Hall, WolverhamptonADE EDMONDSON & THE BAD SHEPHERDS, The Robin 2, BilstonSATURDAY OCT 31THE IMPERIAL NEVER SAY DIE! TOUR 2009, Academy, BirminghamPINK, NIA, BirminghamJUST LIKE JIMMY, The Flapper, BirminghamGROOVE CARTEL, The Yardbird, BirminghamMAGNUM, Wulfrun Hall, WolverhamptonREGGAE REPUBLIC, The Public, West BromwichKIDS IN GLASS HOUSES, Kasbah, CoventryTINARIWEN, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

Coming next month...

The comprehensive guide to

the best places to eat, drink,

dance & more, across

the West Midlands.

To get your bar, pub, club, restaurant or venue

included email directory@brumnotes.com, or

call 0121 449 0562/07709 305304.

For up-to-the minute news, more reviews, the latest info on gigs and new releases, or to buy tickets, merchandise and other goodies, visit us at our fancy new website...

You can also read the magazine online if

you can’t bear to be away from your compu-

ter screen any longer and you’ll find a few

cheeky features which we didn’t have room/

time/ability/desire to print. These may or

may not include a chat with Ian Brown, a

guide to winter festivals, the lowdown on

file sharing and loads more gig pictures.

ML_SOR-TitansAdvert_200x270.pdf 1 28/08/2009 13:40