The Library of Birmingham is hosting a special Zombie Night, an evening gathering of ghoulishness

The Library of Birmingham is to host a special Zombie Night this week, to help raise awareness of the city’s annual charity Zombie Walk next month.

In preparation of this year’s Birmingham Zombie Walk in September, the Library of Birmingham is holding an evening of eerie Zombie fun on Friday 15th August.

The Zombie Night takes place at the Library of Birmingham’s ‘Book Browse’ fiction section on the ground floor

Beginning at 5pm, the evening will include a ‘Zombie Tour’ of the iconic venue followed by a very casual social gathering in the library’s ‘Book Browse’ section where spooky horror fiction, books and movies will be discussed; Zombie make-up tips will be demonstrated by artists JoJo Davies and Jenny Louise, and there will be open mic spoken word and musical performances. The evening will be presented by young local comedian Jake Mackinnon.

The free event is open to everyone, with attendees encouraged to come in ghoulish make-up and costumes if they can. The library will also be available before 5pm for anyone wishing to apply make-up or get changed into cosplay costumes.

The library event is promoting the Birmingham Zombie Walk, in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital

The event is being held to promote the annual Zombie Walk Birmingham, which this year takes place on Saturday 13th September.

The Library of Birmingham is supporting the ‘walk of the undead’ and will also be hosting activities and games on the day to help raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Other supporters of the Birmingham Zombie Walk this year include Hollywood Monster, Free Radio and The Giant Screen at Millennium Point.

Birmingham Zombies founder Jamie Chapman with staff at Birmingham Children’s Hospital

Founder of the Zombie Walk, 24-year-old Jamie Chapman, said:

“We think it’s fantastic that the Library of Birmingham are officially putting their weight behind a great event for an even greater cause. The Zombie Night event this week will hopefully give the public a taste of what’s to come in September with the Zombie Walk itself!”

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The Zombie Night takes place at the Library of Birmingham between 5pm – 9pm on Friday 15th August, 2014.
The Birmingham Zombie Walk takes place in Centenary Square from 12pm on Saturday 13th September, 2014.

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Teenager Jake Mackinnon has had the Birmingham Children’s Hospital logo tattooed onto his arm

A teenage tattoo fanatic has had the Birmingham Children’s Hospital logo permanently imprinted onto himself as a tribute to the charity in his home city.

19-year-old Jake Mackinnon, who has already acquired several tattoos in the last year alone, decided to honour the children’s trust after seeing all the good work they’ve done.

“I thought it would be an appropriate way to pay tribute to the amazing work that the staff at the hospital do. I also thought it would be nice to carry that symbol of their work with me on my travels. “

To create the design on his upper arm, Jake sat through the inking skills of Jason Langford at Divine Ink in the Oasis Alternative Fashion Store.

Jake Mackinnon getting his tattoo from Jason Langford at Divine Ink in Birmingham’s Oasis ‘market’

“It did sting a bit but I’ve previously had over six hours worth of tattoo work on my skin. I do enjoy it though as, for me, it’s like an extreme version of acupuncture.”

Jake discovered the work of the Children’s Hospital after volunteering for the Birmingham Zombie Walk in 2013. He also recently hosted a special Zombie Night at the Library of Birmingham to help raise awareness of the event and its chosen charity.

Jake Mackinnon was inspired to support the Birmingham Children’s Hospital after attending the city’s Zombie Walk

This is not the first time fundraisers and volunteers have applied skin art in homage to the hospital. In July, sixteen different parents agreed to be tattooed with a variation of the trusts’s logo as a permanent reminder and dedication to the staff at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

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Zombie Walk founder Jamie Chapman led this year’s charity walk, in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital (Photograph: Birmingham Zombies)

The ‘living dead’ took to the streets of Birmingham this weekend for the annual Zombie Walk, in a bid to raise money for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Thousands of people crowded into the ‘zombie-ready’ Centenary Square on Saturday morning and excitement buzzed through the city as people from far and wide, queued up to become ‘zombie-fied’ by special effects make-up artists all volunteering their time for the cause.

The charity fundraising event was held in Centenary Square on Saturday 13th September and included a mass march around the city centre, complete with blank stares, a lot of groaning and grunting, all while slow-walking.

Free Radio presenter Adam Wilbourn hosted the show and was joined by event founder Jamie Chapman and Birmingham Children Hospital patient Rafe Walker (Photograph: Birmingham Zombies)

The Birmingham Zombie Walk, which was supported by Free Radio and the aptly-named Hollywood Monster, was organised by Birmingham Zombies in conjunction with the Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH) in a bid to raise much needed funds for the charity’s vital medical work.

Participating ‘zombies’ marched through Birmingham city centre, seen here walking through New Street, passing the Bullring and Pallasades shopping centres  (Photograph: Birmingham Zombies)

The Zombie Walk moving through Victoria Square with banners promoting the Birmingham Children’s Hospital (Photograph: Birmingham Zombies)

This year’s event was the sixth since its inception in 2009 by founder Jamie Chapman, now aged 24. The young award-winning entrepreneur and charity fundraiser, from Sutton Coldfield, said:

“It was overwhelming to see such a huge amount of people turn up to raise money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital this year. The event has just got bigger and bigger over the years, to a point where we had to move it into Centenary Square to hold it for 2014.”

“The Zombie Walk in Birmingham has always been a huge team effort and this year was no exception. The events team, volunteers and make-up artists all contributed massively to this year’s event, as did our partners Free Radio and Hollywood Monster. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has helped build this event up over the years, from a small zombie event in a park to the huge event we saw over the weekend. I’m very proud to be from Birmingham.”

SFX make-up artist Jo Davies alongside professional zombie Colin Murtagh, who travelled from Bristol to join the Birmingham Zombie Walk (Photograph: Birmingham Zombies)

Hosted by Free Radio presenter Adam Wilbourn, the family fun day included an attempt to capture the largest Zombie ‘selfie’, as well as numerous fairground games, food stalls and elaborate make-up and costume creations to help generate more cash for the children’s charity, which aimed to raise £15,000 from the event.

Zombies join Adam Wilbourn, Jamie Chapman and Rafe Walker on stage (Photograph: Birmingham Zombies)

The event was also attended by teenage hospital patient Rafe Walker, whose inoperable brain tumour has been treated by hospital staff and doctors for most of his life and has now recently become operable.

Speaking on the main stage, Rafe told the crowds:

“My brain tumour was inoperable and I had to go through surgery in 2008 and the Birmingham Children’s Hospital just helped us so much through that. I had to have a second operation last March and thanks to all the help from the nurses, staff and my neurosurgeon Dr. Solanki, I’m all better now. Thanks to all the fundraising efforts that have happened in the last few years, it means my brain tumour now is now operable because of all the research and new equipment now available due to fundraising.”

The Birmingham Zombie Walk was supported by the aptly-named Hollywood Monster, whose mascot is seen here with event volunteers Claire Louise and Daniel Howell (Photograph: Birmingham Zombies)

Zombie participants enjoying the charity fundraising event in Centenary Square (Photograph: Birmingham Zombies)

‘Zombies’ enjoying the charity Zombie Walk in Centenary Square (Photograph: Birmingham Zombies)

Also roaming among the ‘deceased’ was local BBC Doctors star Lorna Laidlaw, who joined hundreds of others in making a donation to the charity to have a special Zombie make-over.

Birmingham actress and star of BBC show ‘Doctors’ Lorna Laidlaw gets Zombied up alongside fellow actor Vimal Korpal at the Birmingham Zombie Walk (Photographs: Hannah Deathridge)

Enormous effort was displayed in the form of costumes from members of the public and the atmosphere was lively enough to pull almost anyone out of their grave, with games and music playing during the preparation. The resident DJ’s clever music selection even managed to get over a thousand zombies dancing to the The Rocky Horror Picture Show musical number ‘Time Warp’, truly capturing the family-fun atmosphere on the day.

The fundraising total from the Birmingham Zombie Walk is expected to be announced by the Birmingham Children’s Hospital before the end of the month.

Donations to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital as part of the Zombie Walk can still be made online or via text. Simply TEXT ‘ZOMB88′ and ‘£2′, ‘£5′, ‘£10′ or ‘£20′ to 70070.

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Hannah Deathridge

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Rocker Billy Idol makes a long-awaited return to tour the UK, kicking off at the O2 Academy Birmingham

Seminal rocker Billy Idol returns to the UK for the first time in four years but for three dates only, kicking off his European tour at Birmingham’s O2 Academy.

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.

With a new album, Kings & Queens of the Underground, his first album in close on 10 years, and an autobiography, Dancing With Myself, Idol seems to be back in fine form.

With his new single Can’t Break Me Down, which can be streamed right now here, it seems quite fitting that the newly announced dates will come soon after the release of two major new Billy Idol projects.

Back after 4 years, Billy Idol brings a brand new album with him.

With a household name, and a array of well known hits, such as White Wedding, Dancing With Myself and Rebel Rebel, and a fantastic backing band, including long term member and collaborator Steve Stevens on guitar, the London based singer looks to take his home country by storm.

Starting off in Birmingham on the 5th of November, followed by London on the 9th and Manchester on the 10th, the O2 Academy Birmingham hosts the legendary punk rocker for a night of classic hits as well as brand new songs.

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Tickets for his Birmingham show at the city’s O2 Academy can be purchased here.

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The all-star cast of Peaky Blinders series 2, on the red carpet at Cineworld in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Stars of the hit TV show Peaky Blinders arrived in Birmingham yesterday to grace the red carpet outside Cineworld Cinema in Broad Street, as fans of the show gathered for autographs and selfies with the celebrity cast.

Marking the world premiere of the second series of the hit period BBC/Tiger Aspect co-production, Birmingham-born writer and creator Steven Knight imported actors Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory and Charlotte Riley to the centre of his home city to celebrate the return of Peaky Blinders; a drama inspired by a real-life Birmingham street gang of the same name, who were based in 1920s Small Heath.

Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who plays the series protagonist Tommy Shelby, was happy to be back in the city after initially visting Birmingham to research his role with show creator Steven Knight.

“We met in the original Garrison Pub and it was quite fun and now, here we are. There’s a lot of interest here, and a lot of people, and I think it’s great,” he told I Am Birmingham.

Hollywood star Cillian Murphy attended the Peaky Blinders series 2 premiere at Cineworld in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Star of acclaimed Hollywood films including Inception, In Time, Sunshine, Tron:Legacy and the re-booted Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy; Cillian took a break from his performance in Ballyturk at the National Theatre in London’s South Bank to attend the glitzy premiere in Birmingham.

“It’s a tribute to Steve [Knight] really, you know, for making a show about this home town and making a show that is truthful to the origins of the story and and I think people will be really impressed by the second series. It retains all of the characteristics and integrity of the original series but is just expanded. I think it’s a little darker and more sophisticated.”

A Cillian Murphy fan with a painting of the actor as character Scarecrow from the Christopher Nolan ‘Batman’ trilogy (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Peaky Blinders fans were delighted to get autographs and ‘selfies’ with their favourite stars (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

His co-star Helen McCrory, who dominates in the fictionalised series as Aunt Polly, revealed the challenge of perfecting a Brummie accent.

“I think it’s a notoriously difficult accent because it’s an accent we don’t hear very much and that’s one of the reasons we’re all up in Birmingham today, because it’s been set in Birmingham. Steve Knight obviously comes from here and these are stories from his childhood. It’s important we come up here and celebrate it here and get a reception from the city of Birmingham before we take it anywhere else because you’ve got to find out from your own doorstep how it’s gone down.”

Helen McCrory chats to fans at the Peaky Blinders series 2 premiere at Cineworld in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Middlesborough newcomer Charlotte Riley debuts in the series as Tommy’s new love interest, and also appears in the show alongside her real-life husband Tom Hardy, who has been cast as a charismatic leader in the gangster drama, complete with beard and trilby.

Middlesborough actress Charlotte Riley at the Peaky Blinders series 2 premiere at Cineworld in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Tom Hardy also appears in the new series of Peaky Blinders, playing a charismatic leader (Photograph: BBC)

>>GALLERY: Peaky Blinders series 2 world premiere in Birmingham<<

Finn Cole, brother of fellow Peaky Blinders star Joe Cole, attended the premiere of the second series of the drama at Cineworld in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Supporting the seasoned and more experienced actors were fresh young talent. Joining actor Joe Cole, who continues to play John Shelby from the first series, were his real-life younger brother Finn Cole (Michael Shelby) and Birmingham teenagers Jordan Bolger (Isaiah) and Harry Kirton (Finn Shelby), the latter of whom won his role following an open audition in Digbeth earlier this year.

Birmingham teenager Harry Kirton was selected from thousands, following open auditions in the city, to appear in the new series of Peaky Blinders (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Speaking about his joy at winning a part in the show, 16-year-old Harry said:

“It’s such an amazing start working with Cillian Murphy. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet Tom Hardy but even with all the cast and crew, it’s just so amazing to be on the red carpet. It’s my first time. My dad, my mum and my sister are already here and my friends and family are in the crowd too.

“I’ve asked my friends not to make a really big deal of it but they’re really happy for me. We talk about it now and again. At first, they all thought I was going to be famous even though you can’t be famous from one little thing. It’s such an amazing start for me.”

Birmingham-born screenwriter and director Steven Knight said he was proud to have brought the stars of hit TV drama Peaky Blinders to his home city (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Series creator and screenwriter Steven Knight, whose other work includes the movies Locke, Dirty Pretty Things and Eastern Promises, hoped to bring more talent to Birmingham following the success of Peaky Blinders.

Speaking about his forthcoming workshop at the Library of Birmingham during the Birmingham Literature Festival, he said:

“Part of it is to suggest to people in this area to write stuff and to do stuff about this place, it doesn’t matter what aspect of it it is, because it seems to have been an empty vessel for a long time.”

“We should first of all liberate the accent from whatever people think about it and just do it,” he added.

Knight hopes to create a sound studio in the city as a platform for engaging with more local talent and creating local opportunities.

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The new series of Peaky Blinders begins on BBC Two on Thursday 2nd October.

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Adam Yosef

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Ben Turner as Amir and Andrei Costin as Hassan in The Kite Runner (Photo by Robert Day)

Khaled Hosseini’s debut novel has been possibly the literary phenomenon of the past decade. Written in the years leading up to the fall of the Twin Towers, when many Westerners would have been hard-pressed to locate Afghanistan on a map, it became something of a zeitgeist after its publication in 2003, providing a very human flipside to the brutal depictions of the country by then plastered across every news outlet.

It first spawned a successful film, but as the man tasked with adapting it for the stage, Matthew Spangler, explains in the intimate Q&A session before the play’s first night in Birmingham, The Kite Runner has been scaled back for its theatre incarnation.

“With the film, I felt it was harder to access the characters’ thoughts and feelings”, he explains, “so [with the play] we walk a bit of a tightrope – there’s narration…[but] we didn’t want there to be too much or too little”. 

The book’s author was apparently very keen to have input too, tweaking details which with hindsight he would have changed before publication. The result is a punchier take on the story, with lead character Amir (played as both boy and man by the same actor, for the first time in the play’s nine productions) delivering numerous soliloquies taken largely verbatim from the text of the book. 

What emerges is a deceptively sparse-looking theatrical offering, with ingeniously simple flourishes in the lighting of backdrop and floor providing visual cues to mood and location. The almost-permanent stage-front musician (Hanif Khan) is also something of a masterstroke, almost as effective through his silence as when he’s providing tabla and singing-bowl accompaniment to weddings, fights or dialogue.

The play begins slightly worryingly for this non-Farsi-speaker, with frantic bursts of the language punctuated only briefly by Ben Turner’s narration; thankfully translation isn’t necessary as once the other cast members begin to join him and Andrei Costin (Hassan) onstage the dialogue switches almost entirely to English. The book’s comic asides are expounded on beautifully, but as the lighting grows more stark in the buildup to the plot’s pivot point the atmosphere becomes palpably darker. 

Andrei Costin as Hassan and Ben Turner as Amir in The Kite Runner (Photo by Robert Day)

It can have been no mean feat to cram all of the strands of this story – betrayal and forgiveness; love and loss; immigration and alienation; damnation and forgiveness – into a little more than two hours, but it has been masterfully done. Without leaving out any major story arc and with perfect casting, this adaption fleshes out almost every character as needed (although Nicholas Khan’s Rahim Khan is sadly under-used, and Anthony Bunsee’s General Taheri veers towards ‘Christopher Lee does pantomime villain’ at times) and divides the tale neatly in two with its interval.

There are eggshells to be walked on in describing the second half to avoid spoilers for anyone new to The Kite Runner, but it’ll ruin no-one’s enjoyment to comment on a hilariously camp ‘coming to America’ scene and how dangerously close the compacted version leans towards a ‘young man on a quest’ cliché. It’s largely avoided, though, and whilst the book’s more brutal depictions of Taliban-ruled Kabul are merely hinted at (and what could have easily been comical fake-beard-wearing is thankfully left out entirely) by the closing scene there will be few left emotionally untouched by the evening.

With such powerful and widely-loved source material the biggest compliment that can be paid to a stage adaptation is that it emphatically doesn’t disappoint, the standing ovation for this Birmingham debut thoroughly deserved. You have until October 4th to catch The Kite Runner at the Rep; I recommend putting it high on your list of priorities.

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Ian Savage

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The Kite Runner runs from Monday 22 September, until Saturday 4 October at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

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Best-selling author Owen Jones will be delivering the popular Urban Sermon at this year’s Birmingham Literature Festival

Popular political author and Guardian columnist Owen Jones will be attending the Birmingham Literature Festival next month to give an Urban Sermon at the city’s main Cathedral.

The 30-year-old writer and seasoned political activist, from Sheffield, will be contributing to a firm favourite in the festival’s programme.

Now in its fourth year, the sermon gives an outstanding writer an extended opportunity to explore the ideas and beliefs that inspire their writing. Last year, the sermon was presented by Birmingham poet Benjamin Zephaniah.

This year’s speaker Owen is a bestselling writer, political activist and a weekly columnist for the Guardian. He appears regularly in broadcast media, including BBC1′s Question Time, ITV’s Daybreak, Channel 4 News and Newsnight.

Owen’s first book, Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class, was long-listed for the Guardian First Book Award and he was Young Writer of the Year at the 2013 Political Book Awards.

His new book, The Establishment: And how they get away with it, is a biting critique of the powerful forces that shape our lives, from the lobbies of Westminster to the newsrooms, boardrooms and trading rooms of Fleet Street and the City.

Owen Jones’ new book, The Establishment, is a biting critique of the powerful forces that shape our lives

In this year’s Urban Sermon, Owen Jones will talk about the deep commitment to democracy that underpins his writing, and his passion for telling the stories of hidden lives and unheard voices.

Following the lecture, he will meet with attendees and sign copies of his new book.

Owen Jones has also recently signed a Unite Against Fascism (UAF) statement opposing the forthcoming English Defence League (EDL) rally to be held in Birmingham on Saturday 11th October. Owen is expected to speak at a peaceful counter rally in the city’s Victoria Square on the same day.

The Birmingham Literature Festival is a project of Writing West Midlands and part of a year round programme of events and activities that includes workshops, conferences and networking, work with young writers and bespoke projects. Writing West Midlands is the region’s literature development agency, one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations, and a registered Charity.

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Owen Jones delivers his sermon at the Birmingham Cathedral on Wednesday 8th October. Tickets for the event can be booked here. More information about the Biringham Literature Festival can be found at: www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org

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Grand Designs Live presenter and designer Kevin McCloud will be opening the live event at the NEC Birmingham (Photograph: David McHugh)

Grand Designs Live is based on the hugely popular Channel 4 TV show, Grand Designs, which has gained a vast following in the UK over the last 10 years.

TV broadcaster and live show host, Kevin McCloud will be at the Birmingham show next month meeting fans, chairing debates in the Grand Theatre and sharing his Grand Designs experiences with visitors. We found out more from everyone’s favourite design guru.

How did you get into design and architecture?

I started by pursuing a (terminated) career in music, and then I went to Cambridge to take a degree in languages, which quickly changed to philosophy, then finally to the history of art and architecture. I then retrained as a designer and led two weird, parallel lives designing both in the theatre and in people’s houses. I’ve designed exhibitions, graphics, product and spaces, settling eventually – for no particular reason other than people bought the stuff – on lighting and furniture. I really enjoyed it all and had some great experiences.

Why are you so passionate about design?

My passion for design really stems from the huge influence my father was on me whilst growing up. He was a rocket scientist and engineer, who taught me that there is no such thing as fear of technology, a man who believed in the power of science and invention. He was a man who strewed bits of car engine over the kitchen table every weekend. I appreciated how things worked and were put together and the intricacies of their designs.

What advice would you give to those considering a self-build?

Very easy – spend the money on the bones. Spend the money on the stuff that is there forever, not the frippery like kitchens and bathrooms which can be replaced. Think of the architecture, glazing and core materials.

Why is the environment important to good design?

Our houses and taps and spoons all form part of the environment we make to surround ourselves with. And that connects to the immediate local environment like our street or town, which in turn is part of a global environment. We’ve stopped appreciating the human energy and the valuable natural resources that go into making everything around us and think of most of our possessions as throwaway items.

This year we’ll be bringing Supersized Salvage live to the show. It’s hard to bring anything the size of an Airbus A320 to the show but we are going to use a scrapped one to build a piece out of. It will see us build a chair in 45 minutes with Harry Dwyer from the Aircraft Workshop.

I’m going to take my usual role as stooge while Harry does the hard work. It should be challenging and amusing and I am sure there will be lots of banter, but what’s important is the mission. The serious element of doing this is to share the message that you can make beautiful stuff out of rubbish and encourage people to think twice when they look at items for their homes or gardens.

This year designer and presenter Kevin McCloud will be bringing Supersized Salvage live to the show. complete with a scrapped Airbus A320.

Grand Designs Live opens from the 9-12 October at Birmingham NEC, what should visitors look out for at this year’s show?

The show gets bigger and better every year making it hard to highlight just a few features. Eco-conscious visitors should look out for the handpicked selection of Kevin’s Green Heroes, which include the latest eco-innovations and technologies, some of which are being exclusively launched at the show. Sustainable, eco-living should mean more choice not less, and each of the latest Green Heroes show case this with emphasis on value and craftsmanship.

Something really exciting this year is the new Urban Allotment feature. When chatting about the show last year, Richard, the show director, and I wanted to bring something new to the Grand Gardens section. We thought about bringing something of a harvest festival style to Birmingham, it’s the right time of year with apples on trees and plenty of fantastic produce around. After exploring various possibilities we finally formed the idea of the Urban Allotment.

Visitors can learn about having a productive garden in a limited space as well as looking at pollination, fruit and produce and how they contribute to biodiversity, something I consider important when designing a home. As part of the exhibition, we’ve got the British Bee Keepers Association giving advice on pollination and how to manage bees in your garden; we also have Poultry Talk, an organisation that will be giving advice about hen-keeping with some actual chickens at the show to demonstrate this.

We’re hoping Grand Designs Live might kick-start a new interest in veg growing and bio diversity in many visitors, particularly through the National Allotment Society which is on hand to give advice on growing veg and some of the eco and space friendly ways to do this.

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With over 50,000 consumers expected to visit the event over four days, Grand Designs Live Birmingham will offer visitors a great day out, 100’s of innovative ideas for the home, specialist exhibitors and FREE expert advice all under one roof – making it an invaluable and unmissable event for home lovers.

Grand Designs Live Birmingham sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements runs from 9 – 12 October at Birmingham’s NEC. Tickets are now on sale, book in advance and save £££s. Order your tickets online: www.granddesignslive.com or call the booking hotline on 0844 854 1348.

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Grand Designs presenter and established designer Kevin McCloud will be opening the live event at the NEC Birmingham (Photograph: David McHugh)

I Am Birmingham has teamed up with Grand Designs Live Birmingham 2014, sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, to offer you the chance to win 2 pairs of tickets to the show.

Grand Designs Live, is the UK’s leading contemporary home show and returns by popular demand to NEC Birmingham for its 9th year running from 9-12 October, adding an extra day to the show due to last year’s popular demand.

The ultimate destination for home owners and Self-Builders, exhibitors will showcase a range of innovative and inspirational ideas across the now four day show, offering visitors the opportunity to experience six shows all under one roof.

The Grand Designs Live event is on at the NEC Birmingham between 9th-12th October (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Presented by design guru Kevin McCloud and based on the hugely popular Channel 4 series, the show offers visitors a unique opportunity to see all the latest trends for the home. With areas dedicated to everything from interiors to gardens and technology, you can experience six shows all under one roof: Grand Build, Grand Interiors sponsored by Homebase, Grand Kitchens sponsored by Miele, Grand Bathrooms, Grand Technology and Grand Gardens sponsored by Hydropool.

As a visitor to the show you can benefit from a range of features on offer to make the most of every room in your home. With exclusive access to advice from leading industry experts, including the dedicated Ask An Expert at the heart of Grand Build, this year’s show promises to offer aspiring developers, builders and home renovators the very best FREE specialist advice.

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To be in with a chance of winning tickets for a GRAND day out this October,  all you have to do is answer the following question:

In which year did designer Kevin McCloud begin presenting Grand Designs on Channel 4?

Email your answers to us at iambirmingham[at]hotmail.co.uk – or by clicking here.

Please include your full name, address, email and a contact number. Winners will be notified by email/phone. Tickets may be for any one day between 9th-12th October 2014 at the NEC in Birmingham. Closing date for all entries: 07/10/14.

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Alternatively, Grand Designs Live has teamed up with I Am Birmingham to provide readers with an exclusive ticket offer for the opening day of the show. Join Kevin McCloud and his Supersized Salvage and beat the weekend crowds with this exclusive offer, valid until 8th October, you can get 2-for-1 tickets from www.granddesignslive.com – a massive 50% saving.

Take advantage of this exclusive offer and save 50% – book now and get 2-for-1 on standard tickets. Visit www.granddesignslive.com, follow the book tickets link and enter the code GDLPR241 to claim discount. Alternatively, call 0844 854 1348 – Hurry, offer ends 8th October 2014.

A visitor enjoying the Grand Designs Live show at the NEC Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

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Grand Designs Live Birmingham sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements runs from 9 – 12 October at Birmingham’s NEC. Tickets are now on sale, book in advance and save £££s. Order your tickets online: www.granddesignslive.com or call the booking hotline on 0844 854 1348.

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Worshippers celebrate Eid at the Birmingham Central Mosque in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

Thousands of Muslim faithful from across the city came together to celebrate Eid al-Adha this weekend, following a successful Hajj season in Mecca.

Muslims from across Birmingham marked one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar on Saturday, a day after two million pilgrims concluded the final rites of Hajj in Saudi Arabia’s holy city, with a fast on the Day of Arafa. 

The Hajj is traditionally performed to cleanse the faithful of sin, to encourage the faithful to reflect and is required of all able-bodied Muslims to perform once in their lives.

Youngster Abu Bakr attends the Eid prayer service at the Birmingham Central Mosque (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

The Birmingham Central Mosque held five Eid prayer services, in three different languages (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

The second of two major festivals in the Muslim calendar, Eid al-Adha – which translates as Festival of Sacrifice or Festival of Slaughter – falls on the 10th day of the Islamic calendar’s final month, Dhu al-Hijjah.

The three-day festival commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son in accordance with God’s will, though in the end God provides him a sheep to sacrifice instead. To mark this occasion, Muslims slaughter cattle, sheep and other livestock, giving part of the meat to the poor and needy.

Birmingham Central Mosque secretary Mohammed Ali begins festivities, at the place of worship, with his youngest son (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

Stall-holders outside the Birmingham Central Mosque sell sweets, perfumes and Islamic gifts to crowds on Eid day (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

Teenager Aleem Iqbal, from Solihull, attends the Eid service at Birmingham Central Mosque with family members (Photograph: Adam Yosef /BCM)

>> GALLERY: Eid al-Adha at Birmingham Central Mosque <<

A man prostrates in worship at the Birmingham Central Mosque on the first day of Muslim festival Eid al-Adha (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

The majority of Muslims in Birmingham observed the start of the Eid holiday on Saturday, including the congregations at the city’s premier Birmingham Central Mosque in Highgate; and the Green Lane Masjid in Small Heath.

For many Muslims, Eid is also a time to wear their best or newest clothes (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

Midlands actor Haider Ali attends Eid service at the Birmingham Central Mosque (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

Worshippers capture photos to share the day’s memories via their smart phones (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

The Birmingham Central Mosque’s main hall can accomodate over 3,000 people at any one time (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

Because Eid follows a lunar calendar based on sightings of the moon, some Muslims celebrated the first day of Eid on Sunday, including members of Ghamkol Shariff Masjid in Golden Hillock Road.

Muslims commonly embrace and greet each other with the phrase “Eid Mubarak”, to mark the 3 to 5 day festival (Photograph: Adam Yosef / BCM)

According to the 2011 Census, around 22% of the population of Birmingham identifies themselves as Muslim.

The city’s Jewish community also marked a major religious event this weekend, observing the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. Beginning on Friday evening and consisting of a 25-hour fast, the holy day includes themes of repentance and worship and is spent largely in synagogues.

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Rock band Alestorm live in action at the O2 Academy Birmingham (Photograph: Jack Kirby)

Ahoy there me heartie! Settle down and listen to the tale of Birmingham being rocked by pirates and heavy metal!

With Alestorm currently storming around the UK on their Piratefest tour, with Red Rum and Lagerstein supporting, the O2 Academy Birmingham was full to the brim on Thursday.

Flying the sails of rock, Nottingham band Red Rum kicked off the ‘night of pirate metal’ (Photograph: Jack Kirby)

Red Rum, a Nottingham based pirate metal band, kicked off the night as the first crew onboard. With a sea of listeners, many joining their ‘Captains of Rock’ in similar pirate attire, the members piled onstage, almost spilling over the edge.

Suddenly the band launched into their set, complete with a Bouzouki, Flute and Mandolin. Their set turned the crowd into a sea of arms and cheering and a highlight of their set started with the piano playing the Lord of The Rings main theme, which erupted into a metal version of ‘Taking the Hobbits to Isengard’.

Australian band Lagerstein warmed up the crowd before Alestorm came on the main stage  (Photograph: Jack Kirby)

Beer bongs, Stella Artois and more bandannas and pirate hats stormed the stage next, as aptly named Lagerstein were cheered onstage by the crowd. Once again, the sound of Pirate Metal filled the air, as the Australian based band showed why they had ‘sailed across the world’ to get there.

However, pirates are not always safe from the law, as they told the tale of being detained by ‘the scurvy’ of visa issues as they flew to the UK, causing them to miss their first UK show. With many a brew being drank through the set and, of course, the beer bong being used thoroughly, the band smashed their set.

Piratefest stormed Birmingham’s O2 Academy and left it drunk and bruised (Photograph: Jack Kirby)

>> GALLERY: Alestorm at Piratefest at the O2 Academy Birmingham <<

After being warmed up from two more than impressive bands, some would say that the crowd could have had enough of pirate rock. But if anyone had told the crowd that, they’d had been forced to walk the plank, as chants of “Alestorm” filled the air.

The ‘True Scottish Pirate Metal’ band were welcomed onstage by the packed out crowd. With a wink and a dramatic intro instrumental, the five piece band exploded into their set, with beers in hand and an impressive setup of a bottle of whisky and a bottle of rum attached to their drum kit.

Not only was the drink and apparel impressive, but the set was fantastic. Opening with a fan favourite of ‘Walk The Plank’ and various others (including ‘Drink’ and ‘Pirate Song’), the setlist caused the sea of fans to cheer along, with crowdsurfers all around and many others climbing the crowd to get a better view.

With a final encore, the band welcomed onstage members of both Lagerstein and Red Rum for a cover of Taio Cruz’s Hangover. So ended the tale of Piratefest UK in Birmingham, but it be one that won’t be forgotten!

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Jack Kirby

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The English Defence League returned to Birmingham to hold a rally in Centenary Square (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Police made ten arrests following an English Defence League (EDL) rally held in Birmingham city centre yesterday.

The individuals were detained following some minor scuffles between the EDL and groups who gathered to oppose them. It is believed all  of those held by police were supporters of the far-right group, who gathered in Broad Street before marching to Centenary Square.

Around 400 members of the English Defence League congregated at Bar Risa, where police had them contained following violent clashes at a similar protest they held in the city last year. They were held at the bar and allowed to consume alcohol for the second year running, despite challenges from the establishment’s management who did not want the group there.

The EDL were contained by police at Bar Risa against the wishes of the venue (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Hundreds of police officers were deployed to the city centre to control the EDL following violence at a similar event last year (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Police Liaison Officers ask a group of EDL supporters to return to the cordoned area around Bar Risa in Broad Street (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Coaches from various parts of the country arrived at the venue on Broad Street where divisional EDL flags were unfurled as members of the group sang Islamophobic and anti-Islam chants including “Muslim bombers”, “Allah is a paedo” and “shove your f***ing Islam up your a****”.

Some EDL activists left their cordon to chant and wave flags around Broad Street but were quickly escorted back to the bar, as pedestrians continued to use the surrounding area.

The EDL march was led by its new chairman Steve Eddowes, who replaced Tommy Robinson (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Some EDL members wore masks and balaclavas as they shouted anti-Islam chants (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The group then marched to Centenary Square at around 1pm and gathered outside The Hall of Memory where they held a rally with heated speeches. A minor scuffle broke out along the route, near Brindley Place.

An EDL supporter joins the rally in Birmingham with a mask displaying the words “F*ck Islam” (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Meanwhile, in Chamberlain Square, a counter-rally was held calling for a united front against racism. Organised by the Birmingham branch of Unite Against Fascism (UAF), the event – billed as ‘We are Birmingham, don’t let the EDL divide our communities’ – brought together local councillors, faith leaders and community representatives.

A counter rally against the EDL was organised by Unite Against Fascism and community leaders (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

An anti-racism rally billed as “We Are Birmingham” was held in Chamberlain Square (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The event also had the backing of national trade unions including the Birmingham National Union of Teachers along with support from Birmingham MPs Roger Godsiff (Lab, Sparkbrook and Small Heath) and Jack Dromey (Lab, Erdington), community activist Salma Yaqoob, local historian Professor Carl Chinn MBE and best-selling political author Owen Jones.

>> GALLERY: EDL and UAF demonstrations held in Birmingham <<

Young children play drums at the UAF’s anti-EDL rally in Chamberlain Square (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Anti-racism and anti-EDL campaigners in Birmingham were supported by local councillors, MPs, faith leaders and community representatives (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

From the city’s faith community, the UAF rally was supported by Rabbi Margaret Jacobi from the Birmingham Progressive Synagogue, Imam Muhammed Sarfraz Madni from Birmingham Central Mosque and Robert Brenchley from Ladywood Methodist Church.

Washwood Head councillor Mariam Khan addressed the crowd at the UAF rally (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Speaking at the 350-strong anti-EDL rally, councillor Mariam Khan (Lab, Washwood Heath) addressed the crowd:

“We need to show them [the EDL] that we’re united, that we’re together. We live in a socially cohesive society, and nothing can break us… It’s not just a part of Birmingham that thinks like this, it’s the whole of Birmingham, collectively, that agrees that the EDL are not welcome in Birmingham and not welcome on our streets.

“They’re shouting they want us off their streets, they’re not even from Birmingham, these aren’t their streets. The streets belong to people from Birmingham no matter where you’re from, whether you’re born in Birmingham, whether you’ve adopted this beautiful city. This is what Birmingham is about, the diversity, the culture, the beautiful people in the city and it’s important for us to always celebrate the positive face that we’ve got in the city.”

Speakers at the UAF demonstration called for an end to racism, Islamophobia, homophobia and hate (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Khan was joined by fellow Labour councillors Waseem Zaffar (Lozells and East Handsworth), and Josh Jones (Stockland Green). Other speakers included Charlie Williams of Birmingham Strong Justice 4 All, Geoff Dexter representing Love Music, Hate Homophobia, Robert Punton from Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), NUS Black Students’ Officer Malia Bouattia and students from the University of Birmingham’s Black and Ethnic Minorities’ Association.

Activist Weyman Bennett, the joint-secretary of Unite Against Fascism, also attended and spoke at the event.

Around 350 people, mostly from Birmingham, attended the Unite Against Fascism rally in Birmingham city centre (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

According to organisers of the Unite Against Fascism gathering, which included music performances from rock band Thatchers Love Child and a poetry reading by Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito, their event had originally been organised with West Midlands Police to be held in Victoria Square but was allegedly forced to move to Chamberlain Square on the day, following the issuing of a Section 14 order.

Organisers of the UAF rally protested about the imposition of Section 14, which forced them to move from Victoria Square to Chamberlain Square and closer to the EDL rally. (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

“We’d been negotiating with the police for weeks and had called our event in Victoria Square. It was a surprise that in the morning, not only had they posted Section 14 notices all over Victoria Square but we had a cage ready for us in Chamberlain Square,” a spokesperson from Birmingham UAF told I Am Birmingham.

“Given the experiences of young people last year, it would be highly unlikely that any young person would wait in what is commonly described as a ‘kettle’. It took nearly two hours to negotiate with the police for the metal barriers to be removed and for us to march together into Chamberlain Square where there’d be no containment and there could be free movement, not only of demonstrators but the citizens of Birmingham.

Representatives from BEMA, the University of Birmingham’s Black and Ethnic Minorities Association, attended the counter rally against the EDL (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

“Given people were arriving throughout the day, we wanted to ensure the LGBT, black, Asian, women and disabled people were not separated and were able to share their collective voice in standing up to the hatred of the EDL, safely and confidently.

“We showed today that the citizens of Birmingham are not the ones the police should be concerned about and we hope that they learn the lessons, from a peaceful and successful demonstration by the UAF, for the future.”

Although the English Defence League rally in Centenary Square was being monitored by police officers and stewards, a handful of EDL supporters infiltrated the opposing rally and were arrested for public order offences.

These incidents included an EDL supporter who reportedly pushed 66-year-old anti-racism speaker Tony St. John before snatching a microphone from his hand; and another EDL activist who attempted to tear down a “Nazi scum off our street” flag being displayed in Chamberlain Square. Both were apprehended by police officers.

An EDL supporter is arrested by police for a public order offence, one of ten arrests on the day (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

This EDL supporter was detained on suspicion of assault after a confrontation with a 66-year-old public speaker (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

In a separate incident, EDL supporters in Centenary Square assaulted and threatened a journalist but were stopped after Police Liaison Officers intervened.

Superintendent Rich Baker, from West Midlands Police, said: “The force has no power to ban protest groups from exercising their democratic right to express their opinions but we have been planning for weeks to minimise disruption to those who live, work or were visiting the city on the day.”

The EDL had mobilised nationally, initially expecting 3,000 attendees, but only around 400 showed up for their demonstration in Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

A man at the EDL protest in Centenary Square is held back after assaulting a journalist (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

Partially filled coaches from across the country transported EDL supporters and members to Birmingham, ahead of their march and rally in the city (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The English Defence League had expected around 3,000 of their members to descend on Birmingham this weekend, having mobilised nationally for the rally. However, their turnout of around 400 was roughly the same as the Unite Against Fascism event, for which organisers had only mobilised locally within the city.

Representatives from the English Defence League did not wish to speak to our journalist at the rally in Birmingham. However, a statement on their website in relation to yesterday’s demonstration stated:

“The Birmingham area has one of the largest concentrations of Muslims in the UK. The Sharia-pushers have a haven in Birmingham. The larger the ocean the more likely it is to contain sharks.

“The English Defence League has held a total of seven demonstrations in or around Birmingham, returning every year since August 2009. As long as those who would foist a more Islamic culture on our country continue to work their evil deeds, the EDL will continue to respond.”

The Library of Birmingham decided to close sections of the building as a precautionary response to the EDL protest being held outside the venue (Photograph: Adam Yosef)

The Library of Birmingham, where young human rights activist Malala Yousafzai delivered her Nobel Peace Prize speech on Friday, chose to close part of the building in light of the EDL demonstration taking place outside the venue.

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Michael Legge as George and Benjamin Dilloway as Lennie in Of Mice And Men (Photograph: Ellie Kurttz)

Michael Gove has always been seen as the villain. It’s a bit early in his career to shout “He’s behind you”, but as far as being Education Secretary is concerned, that is something definitely behind him and good riddance too.

This is the man who created controversy earlier this year after questioning whether the book Of Mice and Men should still be compulsory on the national curriculum. After watching this play, which is an adaptation of the book, it is a shame that this piece by Steinbeck will no longer be compulsory at schools from 2015.

The play follows the journey of George Milton (Michael Legge) a clever and devoted friend of Lennie Small (Benjamin Dilloway), a large lumbering childlike worker with a fondness of mice, rabbits and stories trying to find job opportunities during the great depression in California.

The show, under the direction of Roxana Silbert, has some great moments of joy and sadness – the clumsiness, forgetfulness of Lennie, the sexual lust of Curley’s wife and the dilemmas posed for George. The dialogue gives you an insight into each of the characters with reoccurring themes including isolation, longing for companionship and satisfying dreams.

Benjamin Dilloway as Lennie and Michael Legge as George in Of Mice and Men (Photograph: Ellie Kurttz)

The ensemble cast of Michael Legge, Benjamin Dilloway, Norman Bowman (Slim) , Dave Fishley (Crooks), Jan Knightley (Carlson), Nicholas Goode (Whit) , James Hayes (Candy) Ciaran O’Brien (Curley) and Lorna Nickson-Brown (Curley’s wife) at first all start off rather nervously but as the play unfolds, the confidence solidifies and each of them connects into a flow where there is good energy and rhythm.

There are splendid character depictions by the cast – the soft gentle manner of Slim, the raging anger of Curley, the innocence of Lennie and the loneliness of Crooks. With the only criticism being that occasionally the American accent (in this case, west coast Californian with southern migrant accents also present)  had interludes of an Irish accent. Then again, the Irish do have a long history of resettling and they did have established communities in America in the 1930’s.

Benjamin Dilloway as Lennie and Lorna Nickson-Brown as Curley’s Wife in Of Mice And Men (Photograph: Ellie Kurttz)

The stand-out performance is from Lorna Nickson-Brown, who plays Curley’s wife. She has a strong presence on stage, not only emanating from what she wears but the chemistry she creates with the other characters; which in turn grips you with sympathy and empathy all voiced with a wonderfully strong General American accent. (In fact, if you closed your eyes you’d think you were listening to Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz).

The set design by Liz Ashcroft is centrally set with a wooden white washed ranched flooring, with a back drop of a plain sky. The wings are clearly visible and enable the audience to see actors sitting and creating sounds via props and instruments- horses galloping, bones being broken and country music.

Michael Legge as George and Benjamin Dilloway as Lennie in Of Mice and Men (Photograph: Ellie Kurttz)

Clever lighting changes (Simon Bond) reflect different times of day and it is a joy to watch the actors set up and move props on stage whilst setting up the bunk house and barn house. Costumes are relevant to the piece and may even influence you to go and buy a set of dungarees.

This is a play which guarantees that when you leave, you’ll be trying to repeat the line “Living of the fat of the Land” in a imitated US accent. But dig deeper and you’ll find it has a resonance with us all.

The Birmingham REP has yet again delivered a wonderful piece of theatre. It may not be on Michael Gove’s wish list but it definitely should be on yours.

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Vimal Korpal

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Of Mice and Men runs at the Birmingham REP Theatre until November 1st. Tickets available at: www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

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Disney on Ice returns to Birmingham at the NIA, celebrating 100 years of magic

Skating back into town, back to the NIA and back into the hearts of Birmingham’s children young and old is the welcome return of Disney On Ice, from Wednesday 22nd October.

And if the previous shows are anything to go by, this should be another carefully choreographed, family friendly extravaganza from the dream makers at Disney.

The task of bringing these animated silver-screen superstars to life lies in the safe hands of Emmy-Award winning choreographer Sarah Kawahara and needless to say, having seen several of these skating-spectacular shows before, my nine-year-old daughter cannot wait. Neither can I.

Favourite Disney characters including those from The Lion King will take to the ice at the NIA in Birmingham

So what’s different this time? Well, for starters this time round the gang are pushing the boat out to celebrate 100 years of Disney magic, mixing iconic characters from across the decades – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends – with more recent superstars from the Pixar stable – Buzz Lightyear, The Incredibles and many others – with over 60 characters making an appearance throughout the show, all scored to the magical music as complied by music directors Art Kempel and Stan Beard.

Birmingham City footballer Neal Eardley and his family dropped by the Bullring Disney store to meet Mickey Mouse earlier this month, to help spread some Disney on Ice magic

With my lifelong obsession with superheroes I loved The Incredibles and look forward to their sequence, as well as the other Pixar posse, while my daughter is keen to see the multitude of Disney princesses strut their stuff in costumes designed and outfitted by Scott Lane –all presented on a specially designed ice rink stage created by Scenic Designer David Potts, who has promised an energetic theatrical atmosphere as the skaters weave effortlessly, yet skillfully across a wonderland that include sparkling floats that will transform into a radiant light parade right before the audience’s amazed eyes, creating many magical Disney moments from eighteen of their past stories, beloved by so many.

Superhero family The Incredibles will be helping Disney On Ice celebrate ‘100 Years at Magic’ at the Birmingham NIA from the 22nd October until the 2nd November

Be ready then to be thrilled by the likes of Simba (Lion King), Ariel (The Little Mermaid) Genie (Aladdin) and a cavalcade of recognisable and much loved characters from everyone’s childhood and be transported for an hour or two into the Magical Kingdom. A great half-term treat and an early nod to Christmas too. See you there!

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Olly MacNamee

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Disney On Ice is on at the NIA Birmingham from Wednesday October 22nd  to Sunday November 2nd. For more information on tickets (starting at £17.35 and ranging up to £43.99), visit disneyonice.co.uk or phone 0844 338 8000.

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Patent Pending played a packed out Institute, Birmingham (Photograph: Jack Kirby)

Trumpets, Pop Punk, Ska, Mario and high octane energy. Patent Pending and friends erupted into the Institute last Friday.

After supporting Bowling For Soup’s ‘Farewell UK Tour’, the American based band seemed ecstatic to be back in Birmingham.

Warming up with Suburban Legends (Photograph: Jack Kirby)

Supporting Patent Pending is no easy task, however the Californian based Ska band Suburban Legends certainly made it look like a piece of cake. With a bouncing blend of trumpets and trombone alongside the typical guitars and bass, not only did they play their original tracks, which were lively and catchy, but they had the crowd hooked with expertly constructed covers of Disney songs. So while you and I may know the slow calm version of, ‘You’ve got a Friend in me’, that night I was shown a completely different version.

After warming up, quite literally with ‘jazz hand exercises’ and ‘head bang neck stretches’ with the support, Patent Pending didn’t even need a build up to get the explosion of sound the crowd erupted into when they strolled onstage.

Vocalist Joe Ragosta takes a ‘swim’ (Photograph: Jack Kirby)

>>GALLERY: Patent Pending at the Institute Birmingham<<

With their ‘hooks in the air’ the crowd showed Patent Pending their love, as singer Joe (Ragosta) launched himself over the barrier and up to the balcony, chatting with fans and joking around.

This was followed by an amazing crowd surf from the back of the venue straight to the stage, before being ‘rescued’ by ‘the strongest security guard’ he’d ever met.

Patent Pending filled the Institute (Photograph: Jack Kirby)

With the set list carrying on, Suburban Legends were not the only ones to cover well known songs, as Pending gave fantastic versions of favourites ‘I’ll Be There For You’ and ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’. The whole night was filled with crowd interaction and the feeling of absolute happiness, not only from the crowd, but from the stage.

Patent Pending gave a blistering performance and gave all the needed evidence to prove that they are Headline material, and should not be thought of otherwise.

Jack Kirby

Singer songwriter Katy B performs at the O2 Academy in Birmingham (Photograph: Mark Lloyd)

A complete rarity in the world of dance music – a singer who can actually sing!  Katy B  kicked off her Little Red Tour, at Birmingham’s O2 Academy, to a sold out crowd.

Opening the proceedings was local Birmingham lass Becky Hill  who reached the semi final stage on BBC One’s talent show The Voice. 

Birmingham-based  singer who appeared on The Voice, Becky Hill, supports Katy B (Photograph: Mark Lloyd) 

At only 20-years-old, she has a voice that possesses so much depth and beauty, you forget how young she is. Opening with new single Caution to the Wind, the crowd was instantly in awe of her music, as the lyrics of her songs are so easy to identify with . Unfortunately, there were a few technical issues where Becky’s inner ear stopped working during the first song, but she handled it professionally and was soon back on form.

She engaged with the crowd and exchanged banter about the local areas, before revealing her family and friends were in attendance. Becky clearly loves being on stage and she oozes a fantastic energy that’s contagious. A fantastic opening act and a great choice!

Touring with her new album Little Red, the singer continues until late October (Photograph: Mark Lloyd) 

Slowing the evening down slightly with a stunning acoustic version of Everything and the exquisite Crying for No Reason left me with goosebumps. The pace soon picked up again with Aaliya and the genius of On a Mission that propelled Katy into the limelight.

Mercury Prize nominated Katy B performs once again in Birmingham (Photograph: Mark Lloyd)

And so we came to the end of a near hour-and-a-half set where the majority of the crowd were no doubt regretting their seasonal jumpers in the sauna-like O2 Academy Birmingham. I am in no doubt that both vocalists are two of the best around and therefore have incredibly bright futures ahead of them. 

I really wouldn’t be surprised if even bigger venues aren’t too far away!

Jo Lloyd

The Klaxons play their final tour at the O2 Academy in Birmingham (Photograph: Kris Askey)

Back in 2007 when indie rock was at an all time high, a string of bands came into Britain’s music scene thick and fast and the Klaxons were one of the highlights.

With an indie rock beat and an electro twist, the band released some of indie rocks finest songs and even secured a Mercury Prize in 2007.

Klaxons guitarist Simon Taylor-Davies on stage at the O2 Academy 2 (Photograph: Kris Askey)

Now, seven years on, the Klaxons are bringing things to a close. Playing room 2 at the O2 Academy in Birmingham as a national tour tie-in with their new album Love Frequency, the band announced via twitter that this is to be their last headline tour, though a reason was never stated. Regardless, the Academy 2 was full to the brim with fans wanting to see the band perform in Birmingham one last time.

The crowd waited eagerly as the first and only support act of the night, a band named Thumpers took to the stage. With a similar music style to the Klaxons, it’s easy to see why they were the supporting. However, Thumpers never really began to thump.

As the band played through their set, their style and songs surprisingly failed to strike a chord with the audience, as several attempts made by the band to get the audience clapping or moving fell flat. While the bands talent is not to be knocked, they seemed altogether a bit generic and lacked the kick that indie artists and their songs often come with.

Bass guitarist Jamie Reynolds grabs the mic during the Klaxons’ Birmingham Show at the city’s O2 Academy venue (Photograph: Kris Askey)

When the support act finished, the room became more crowded and the atmosphere began to electrify as the excitement for the Klaxons last performance in the city drew nearer.

The time came and the Klaxons kicked off in style. Dressed all in white, the stage filled with neon lights and the band were glowing as they began their ninety-minute party style set and what a party it was. Without a moment to waste on slower material, the band powered through some of their latest and greatest songs. The crowd was going crazy, as they partied along to each and every song.

Marcus Pepperell of THUMPERS warms up the crowd before the main act (Photograph: Kris Askey)

>>GALLERY: Klaxons (supported by Thumpers) at the O2 Academy Birmingham<<

At times I wondered why the Klaxons were making this their final tour, as they clearly have a strong and dedicated fan base who love to party as much as they do. While they loved the new hits, it was the band’s older material that got the audience into a frenzy with songs such as Golden Skans and Atlantis to Interzone making them particularly ignited.

After sixty minutes, the band left the stage, but the audience cried out for more, prompting a reappearance five minutes later to finish off the night properly.

After a few newer songs, the band drew the night to a close with their classic hit It’s Not Over Yet. Ironic, considering that this tour is to be their last, but perhaps intentional, hinting that maybe the Klaxons aren’t quite over yet.

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Lee Farnell

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Spoken word artist Amerah Saleh presented the last season of Beatfreeks event ‘Level UP’ (Photograph: Beatfreeks)

A series of spoken word and poetry events, put together by young people for young people, are to begin their third season of performance workshops in Birmingham this month.

Returning for the third season, Level UP is an open mic spoken word poetry showcase organised by the Beatfreeks, a leading social enterprise engaging young people in arts, media, training, enterprise and leadership opportunities.

Founded in February 2013 by young entrepeneur Anisa Haghdadi, the Birmingham-centric collaborative group brings together the talents of creative artists from all multimedia fields and music genres.

Level UP is organised by Birmingham creative collaborative organisation Beatfreeks (Photograph: Beatfreeks)

The Level UP event aims to bring together new and established artists to inspire young people (Photograph: Beatfreeks)

Level UP aims to bring together an already established artist and a young featured artist to perform at the Birmingham REP Theatre, along with a selection of open mic slots. The presentation is curated by young people with the goal of inspiring fellow youngsters with an avid interest in poetry and spoken word performances.

The Level UP showcase has an open mic opportunity alongside performances (Photograph: Beatfreeks)

Joe Cook, a young musician and spoken word artist from Birmingham, will be hosting and producing the forthcoming series.

“Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe. The spoken word scene in Birmingham is constantly on the rise but mainly has its home within the city’s coffee shops. Level UP enables aspiring artists to perform alongside some of the best within the UK, enabling young creatives to have a bigger platform to express and showcase their work,” Cook explains.

Level UP is held at the Birmingham REP, and supported by Birmingham City Council (Photograph: Beatfreeks)

Performers and creatives gather for a selfie at the Level UP event earlier this year (Photograph: Beatfreeks)

Along with themain event, organisers are also running a series of satellite events in four different areas across the city. These include Sutton, Yardley, Weoley Castle and Winson Green, in the hope of engaging young people who live further away from central Birmingham. The satellite events will be managed by emerging workshop facilitators Aliyah Holder and Aliyah Denton.

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The Level UP events will run between 7pm-9pm, at The Door in the Birmingham REP Theatre, on the following dates:

* 28th November, 2014

* 19th December, 2014

* 23rd January, 2015

* 27th February, 2015

* 27th March, 2015

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The accompanying satellite workshops will run between 5pm-7pm, on the following dates:

* 17th December – Ladywood

* 22nd January – Sutton Coldfield

* 19th February – Yardley

* 16th March – Weoley Castle

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Promotional artwork for season 3 of Level UP from Beatfreeks

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These events are produced by local collaborative force Beatfreeks, in partnership with Apples & Snakes and supported by The REP and Birmingham City Council.

BBC Radio 1Xtra Live is to return to Birmingham next month, with Rick Ross and Mary J Blige headlining

BBC Radio 1Xtra Live returns to Birmingham this year, taking place at the National Indoor Arena on Saturday 15^th November. 

The urban musical extravaganza will be headlined by huge US artists Mary J Blige and Rick Ross.

The event, now in its seventh year, will feature performances from RnB legend Mary J Blige, US rapper Rick Ross alongside other 1Xtra favourites Krept & Konan, Fuse ODG, Boy Better Know, Jess Glynne, Lethal Bizzle, Sigma and Tinashe to play on one bill, on one night only.

US rapper Rick Ross will be co-headlining BBC 1Xtra Live in Birmingham on November 15

R’n’B Legend Mary J Blige has joined the BBC Radio 1Xtra line-up, to play the NIA in Birmingham

The 1Xtra DJ family including DJ Target, MistaJam, Yasmin Evans, Twin B, Adele Roberts, A.Dot, Trevor Nelson, DJ Semtex, Clara Amfo and Charlie Sloth will be in attendance.

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BBC 1Xtra Live 214 takes place at the Birmingham NIA from 7.30pm on Saturday 15th November. For tickets and more information, visit the official website here.

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