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for-Wards Gig Guide: 31st March – 6th April

March 31, 2017

Category: Blog posts

Hello all! It’s time for another edition of the for-Wards Gig Guide! This week we seem to have taken a very Reggae/R&B-centric route. Take a look at what’s happening in Birm this week!


The Atlantic Players + Harry and The Howlers + DJ Sam Redmore @ The Castle & Falcon, 31st March

After months and months of blood, sweat, tears and good old fashioned hard work, The Castle & Falcon is ready to re-open. The independent live music venue is celebrating in style with a fantastic launch night line-up.

Opening and closing will be DJ Sam Redmore. As one of the biggest UK soul and funk DJs, Redmore is a huge booking, and will be performing a special set for the launch night. for-Wards alumni Harry and the Howlers will be bringing their brand of Rockabilly into the proceedings. Having been compared to the likes of Elvis Presley amongst others, the group look to open the live music portion of the evening in style. 9-piece soul and old school R&B-ers The Atlantic Players are headlining. The Birmingham natives are known for their amalgamation of classic R&B with real soul that places them firmly within the contemporary world of music.

Not only is this going to be a great evening of music, it is also a chance to be there for a little piece of Birmingham’s musical history as The Castle & Falcon reopens its doors.


Simmerdown Lounge: Earl Sixteen + Anthony Johnson @ Hare & Hounds, 31st March

Simmerdown Lounge brings yet another fantastic line-up of Roots Reggae artists to Birmingham. Not only are scene veterans Earl Sixteen and ex-Mystic I Anthony Johnson headlining with instrumental support from The Friendly Fire Band, the evening will also feature a whole slew of local talent too! With Christina Adelsie, Robbie Levi, and Iam Malakhi performing live, as well as music being supplied by Young Culture and Tony Roots from Newstyle Radio, this night is certainly worth the £10 ticket price!

Ranking from the Gatecrash Legends of Legends will be the host and compere.


The MMORPG Show @ The Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre Venue, 1st April

From the makers of Knightmare Live (the critically acclaimed stage adaptation of the cult TV classic) come The MMORPG Show, an incredibly unique and impressive experience that combines improv comedy, table top gaming, an epic, open fantasy world and a quest of the audience’s own design.

The show’s producers claim that every show if different. Every choice has a consequence, and every success or failure is left entirely up to chance using a large 20-sided die. The show has received rave reviews everywhere it has been – but what will you do? Will you be victorious, bringing harmony to the realm? Or will you betray everyone you know for personal glory?


At Last – The Etta James Story @ Town Hall, 2nd April

The smash-hit show, At Last – The Etta James Story makes its UK debut depicting the story of soul legend Etta James’ turbulent life.

Played by Vika Bull with support from The Essential R&B Band, many of her most beloved songs are featured, including ‘Tell Mama’, ‘Something’s Got a Hold On Me’, ‘Sugar on the Floor’, the iconic ‘At Last’ and more.

Set within the beautiful Town Hall, this is the first time you will be able to see this show in the UK.


Billy Ocean @ Symphony Hall, 3rd April

One of Britain’s biggest recorded stars EVER, Billy Ocean performs live in Birmingham at Symphony Hall. With a resume including over 30 million record sales, a rather large collection of Gold and Platinum records across the world and another almost equally large collection of number 1 spots atop of charts in America, the UK, Holland, Germany, Australia and more, this concert is a must-see.

The tour comes in support of the artist’s latest release – Here You Are: The Best of Billy Ocean – a two disc release featuring Billy’s greatest hits and a personal collection of covers specifically selected by Billy as the music that “made me(him) into the singer I(he) became”.

This is the first chance to hear Billy Ocean perform these covers in a live setting in Birmingham – don’t miss out!


Kali Theatre: Ready or Not @ MAC Birmingham, 5th-6th April

Penned by Naylah Ahmed, Ready or Not is a new production with a very contemporary and real issue. With a cast led by Wolverhampton-born stage and TV actress Joan Blackham. The synopsis is as follows…

A retired teacher takes an idealistic young Muslim man hostage and embarks on a dangerous game of hide and seek with the truth. Tormented by grief and haunted by a terrible secret, will she ever let him go? Regret and loss collide with fear and paranoia in a distorted reality fed by 24 hour global news, blogs and chat rooms. This powerful play for our times asks who is the real enemy at our gates?

Both director and production company have received rave reviews from previous productions – we have no doubt that this will be yet another excellent entry into their respective portfolios.