Hello! Welcome to the first ever edition of the for-Wards Gig Guide, where we give our recommendations for where to go and what to see in Birmingham this week! Whilst we couldn’t write about every event happening in our fair city, we can certainly recommend a few that stand out, whether that’s due to line-up, price, concept, location, genre or just being a little different. We’ll be endeavouring to keep you up to date with the forthcoming week’s best gigs, shows, events, exhibitions and more!
Karma Green + Underground Empire + GÜnk + Lycio + Long Breech @ The Sunflower Lounge, 10th February
FIVE bands for £6?? Sign us up! Yes at just £6 on the door this gig is an absolute bargain, especially considering who is playing! Karma Green are a young pop rock band who have a playful youthfulness about them – you legitimately believe they’re loving every second when they’re playing. Underground Empire claim to be a band for all music lovers, and it’s easy to see why. They combine such a wide myriad of influences with strong musicianship and a great frontwoman to create a really solid overall sound. GÜnk take things a little more grungy with their music, combining explosive riffs with psychedelic melodies with a massive stage presence. For those with a more electronic-centric taste, Lycio combine sound design with songwriting to create a hybrid electronic output, complete with ethereal vocals and pounding drums. Long Breech finish things up by adding a slice of post-punk to the proceedings.
You could very well hear the sounds of tomorrow at this show – and for such a good price this is a can’t miss!
HRH Metal Saturday: Skindred + Raging Speedhorn + Evile + Feed The Rhino + Senser + Savage Messiah + RSJ + Exist Immortal + Def Con One + Bloodyard + Internal Conflict + Vicious Nature + Jonestown + Anti Clone + Red Rum + Bearfist + Animator + Ballsdeep + Burden of Noose + Left for Red @ O2 Academy, 11th February
Well, that was quite the mouthful wasn’t it? The good folks over at HRH Metal are kindly putting on a multi-stage festival at the 02 Academy for the entire weekend, hosting a myriad of brilliant metal bands. Our own personal recommendations would have to be the rasta-metal stylings of Skindred, the punk brought to proceedings by Feed The Rhino, the groove-laden metal of Bearfist or the modern yet progressive metal presented by Left for Red.
If the exit of Black Sabbath this week has left you feeling a little metal-deprived, this is the show for you.
Harry and The Howlers + The Uproars @ The Night Owl, 11th February
If metal isn’t really your bag, this just may be! Bringing back rockabilly with style, Harry and The Howlers have been compared to the likes of Elvis Presley and Rosetta Sharpe, and have made quite the impression on both the UK and US rockabilly and country scenes! And if that wasn’t enough for you, we can personally attest to the quality of the band’s live show as they headlined our Christmas Pledge fundraiser back in December! Providing support are The Uproars, an energetic three-piece playing country and rockabilly and having a great time whilst doing so. Your ticket even lets you stay for the Dig? club night after the show – what more could you want?
Birmingham Storytelling Café – Marvellous Myths of Middle England @ Kitchen Garden Café, 15th February
This month’s edition of the Birmingham Storytelling Café focuses on the mysterious, the magical, the momentous and the marvellous tales of Middle England. From those stories that inspired Tolkien’s epic works to myths of the wilderness of the past, present and future, this is the perfect place to escape the dark and cold Winter nights.
Hot Club de Swing with Electric Swing Circus @ Hare & Hounds, 17th February
Hot Club de Swing is back once again for another evening of electro-swing, vintage and all round mayhem at The Hare and Hounds. Presented by the team behind Swingamajig Festival, the evening features a smashing electro-swing line-up consisting of CATJAM, C@ in the H@, Heavy Beat Brass Band, Fizzy Gillespie and of course Electric Swing Circus, who promise to party till late!