News
 |
HELP HAITI Live Music Night at the Little Civic, Wolverhampton
The Haitian Earthquake disaster is off the front pages but the islanders still need as much help and support as they can get. The scale of the catastrophe is staggering: “an estimated three million people were affected. The Haitian Government reports that between 217,000 and 230,000 people had been identified as dead, an estimated 300,000 injured, and an estimated 1,000,000 homeless. The death toll is expected to rise. They also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.” To raise funds The Little Civic is hosting an evening of live bands, comedy and djing this Sunday 21st March. Live Bands include : Your Biggest Fanclub Comedy Act: with DJ Tom Reynolds The organisers put it bluntly- “Please do your bit to support the disaster by giving up a few hours of your time to attend the evening. Remember how fortunate we all are to live each day, disaster, illness, and problem free. Then remember those who live and face it everyday. The death toll in Haiti is still rising. They need our help as soon as possible. It’s our world, it’s our concern” Tickets priced £5.00 are available from Midland Box Office: 0870 320 7000 or online at wolvescivic For full details of this and other local dates visit our Birmingham Gig Guide |
 |
Motörhead back at the Civic Hall
The Civic have announced that they will be welcoming back the truly legendary ear-splitting rock-beast that is Motörhead on 24th November. Motorhead formed in 1975 by bassist, singer & songwriter Lemmy have the reputation as one of Britain’s foremost rock bands due to their albums Overkill, Bomber, Ace Of Spades & No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith. Whilst the band are typically classified as heavy metal – Lemmy dislikes such labels, preferring to describe the band’s music as ‘rock ‘n’ roll’. The band’s - Lemmy, Mikkey Dee & Phil Campbell’s approach to music is that they prefer to play live as that is what they enjoy & do best. Tickets go on sale this Friday (19th March) from 9am at Midland Box Office: 0870 320 7000 or online at wolvescivic For full details of this and other local dates visit our Birmingham Gig Guide and Birmingham Live for all local reviews and comment |
 |
The best of Doves and Midlands dates too
To celebrate Doves’ forthcoming best of collection ‘The Places Between: The Best Of Doves’ (5th April) and following the band’s biggest ever headline show at Manchester Central in December, a truly memorable performance at the BBC Electric Proms and last year’s storming appearance headlining the John Peel stage at Glastonbury Doves have announced that they will be playing a few very special shows during April and May. Furthermore, as this tour coinciding with the release of their generation defining Best of collection ‘The Places Between’, fans can expect to hear Jimi, Jez and Andy’s choice of tracks from their twelve-year career. From the number 3 hit ‘There Goes The Fear’ to the Motown thump of ‘Black and White Town’, the kraut-rock inspired ‘Jetstream’ and the anthemic morning after glow of ‘The Cedar Room’ to name but 1 track each from epochal debut ‘Lost Souls’, the Mercury Music Prize nominated ‘The Last Broadcast’, widescreen masterpiece ‘Some Cities’, and not least, last years critically acclaimed gem, ‘Kingdom Of Rust’ - Doves truly have the most extraordinary and compelling live sets of any touring British band today. 28th April – Hull City Hall, Hull - 01482 226 655 24hr cc hotline 0871 2200 260 www.gigsandtours.com For full details of this and other local dates visit our Birmingham Gig Guide and Birmingham Live for all local reviews and comment |
 |
“We’ve got the name, now we just need the shtick.”
Seminal punk icons Sylvain Sylvain (New York Dolls) and Cheetah Chrome (Rocket From The Tombs/Dead Boys) today announced their new band Batusis, followed by the release of a 4-track EP on Smog Veil records. They have also announced a nationwide UK Tour in May 2010 including Birmingham’s O2 Academy2 on May 13th. Following their March 18th concert debut at the prestigious SXSW festival, Batusis, whose name is derived from when Adam West danced a version of the watusi on the popular Batman TV series, will release their self-titled debut EP on collectable 7” inch multi-colored vinyl and digital download on May 4th. The EP also features Enzo Penizzotto (bass) and Thommy Price (drums) of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. To coincide with record release, the nationwide “Batusis” UK tour will start at the Glasgow ABC2 (May 3), followed by dates at Sheffield O2 Academy2 (May 4), Liverpool O2 Academy2 (May 5), London Islington Academy (May 7), Hatfield Forum - Attic Room (May 8), Oxford Academy2 (May 10), Southampton Joiners (May 11), Bristol O2 Academy2 (May 12) and Birmingham O2 Academy2 (May 13). Tickets: 0844 477 2000 / ticketweb For full details of this and other local dates visit our Birmingham Gig Guide and Birmingham Live for all local reviews and comment |
 |
PENDULUM take their brand new show around the UK and IRELAND this summer. The tour includes a headline show at Birmingham’s O2 Academy on May 26th and features support from SUB FOCUS
PENDULUM made one of the biggest breakthroughs of recent years with their hit album ‘In Silico’ and have now followed this with the album ‘Immersion’ that’s set for release on May 24th. The first taster of the album will be the single ‘Watercolour’ that’s due for release on May 3rd. Tour dates: MAY 17TH BELFAST, ULSTER HALL 18TH DUBLIN, OLYMPIA 20TH EDINBURGH, CORN EXCHANGE 21ST BLACKPOOL, EMPRESS BALLROOM 22ND DONCASTER, DOME 25TH BRIGHTON, CENTRE 26TH BIRMINGHAM, O2 ACADEMY 28TH LONDON, WEMBLEY ARENA 29TH CARDIFF, ARENA 30TH PLYMOUTH, PAVILLIONS 31ST SWINDON, OASIS CENTRE Tickets are available from gigsandtours and ticketmaster For full details of this and other local dates visit our Birmingham Gig Guide and Birmingham Live for all local reviews and comment |
 |
ENGLISH ORIGINALS WEEKEND 2010 ANNOUNCED FOR TOWN HALL & SYMPHONY HALL BIRMINGHAM
FRIDAY 14 MAY – SUNDAY 16 MAY A celebration of the life and work of legendary singer songwriter John Martyn, curated by long time friend and collaborator Danny Thompson, live performances from the Graham Coxon Power Acoustic Ensemble, rousing big band Bellowhead, rising folk star Jackie Oates and free sessions are amongst the highlights of this year’s English Originals weekend. GRACE AND DANGER: the songs of John Martyn curated by Danny Thompson, featuring Beverley Martyn, Scott Matthews, Eddi Reader, and more special guests to be announced THE GRAHAM COXON POWER ACOUSTIC ENSEMBLE, featuring guests Martin Carthy and Natasha Marsh, and friends perform the Spinning Top BELLOWHEAD with special guest Jackie Oates FREE SESSIONS FROM NOMAD, Dave Boddison, Abie Budgen, Deborah Hodgson, Goodnight Lenin and Megan Henwood Tickets are available from TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL BOX OFFICE 0121 780 3333 or online at http://www.thsh.co.uk For full details of these dates visit our Birmingham Gig Guide and Birmingham Live for all local reviews and comment |
Motown meets Atlantic Records and The Philadelphia Sound when the legendary Four Tops and Temptations are joined by very special guests The Drifters and The Three Degrees for a dazzling 10 Date UK Tour which visit Birmingham NIA on 15th March 2010.
The Four Tops and The Temptations were two of the groups who helped define the Motown Sound of the 1960s.
Following success of The Temptations’ recent UK Top Ten album, Classic Soul Hits, they promise an unforgettable show full of chart toppers including “My Girl”, “Get Ready” and “Ball of Confusion”. Founder member Otis Williams will be joined by Terry Weeks, Ron Tyson, Joe Herndon and Bruce Williamson who, between them, have 93 years as Temptations.
The Four Tops were responsible for the single “Reach Out and I’ll be There”; A Number One selling single on both sides of the Atlantic, and one of the most memorable songs of the 1960’s. Their show will feature this, and a plethora of their other hits including “Walk Away Renee” “I Can’t Help Myself” and “Loco in Acapulco”. The Four Tops line-up didn’t change for four decades until Lawrence Payton died in 1997, and for this tour the line-up will be founder Abdul “Duke” Fakir” Theo Peoples, Lewis McNeir and Roquel “Rokie” Payton, son of Lawrence Payton.
Otis and Duke say “We love coming to tour in the UK, the audiences are the best in the world. We’re really looking forward to returning along with the Drifters and The Three Degrees for this Greatest Hits Tour.”
The Drifters are one of the biggest-selling bands of all time with a catalogue of over 50 hits including “Saturday Night at the Movies”, “Come on Over to My Place” and “Kissing in the Back Row”. George Treadwell created the group under the guidance of the late Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records and the line-up has featured over 60 different singers including icons such as Clyde McPhatter, Ben E King and Johnny Moore. Their current album is Five Decades and Moore. The Drifters current line up is Maurice Cannon, Steve V King, Michael Williams and Damion Charles.
Four decades after forming, The Three Degrees can claim to be the longest running female group in history. Still looking as glamorous as ever in their stunning costumes, they continue to wow audiences worldwide. Widely renowned as Prince Charles’s favourite group they even attended Charles and Diana’s wedding reception. The show will feature all their biggest hits including “When Will I See You Again”, “Dirty Ol’ Man” and “Take Good Care of Yourself”.
The Three Degrees are Helen Scott, Valerie Holiday and Cynthia Garrison.
The tour hits Birmingham NIA on 15th March 2010
Tickets are £38. National Credit Card Hotline 0844 888 999, or book online at www.ticketline.co.uk (tickets subject to a fee).
Door time for Birmingham is 6pm.
Put on your dancing shoes and come to the party…..
 |
Simple Minds’ “Graffiti Soul” UK Tour, with special guests OMD, kicks off at the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena on November 30. The band play Birmingham LG Arena on Wednesday December 2, followed by dates at;
Tickets: 0871 424 444 - www.ticketline.co.uk. The new album ‘Graffiti Soul’ is out now. For the full list of UK tour dates, visit www.simpleminds.com. |
