Reviews & Features

Our reviews and ‘best of’ articles relating to music, food, art, shopping and more in and around Birmingham.

Seasonal Markets return to The Bond 22nd April!

Seasonal Markets return to The Bond 22nd April!

The Spring Market, 22nd April, The Bond Company, a festival of street food, artist and makers, and music. Seasonal Markets return for it’s 4th year to The… Read more »

Local band Ivory Wave’s new indie-electro release!

Birmingham’s Ivory Wave to release new single ‘Separate Beat’ on 1st May. Brummie five-piece Ivory Wave have announced they will release their third single ‘Separate Beat’ on Monday… Read more »

Birmingham project Breaking With Silence with £40k funding win

Birmingham project Breaking the Silence are the winners of £40,000 People’s Project funding. The Jewellery Quarter based social enterprise were shortlisted in The People’s Project competition, organised… Read more »

Chance to win £500 spending money at Grand Central!

As the central hub for Birmingham, Grand Central has set upon a mission to find out exactly what makes the people of Birmingham happy. Since launching over… Read more »

Be At One review by Ollie ‘Yardbird’ Lloyd

Be At One review by Ollie ‘Yardbird’ Lloyd

No one ever said “I don’t like cellar bars”. What’s not to like..descending down steps from street level reality into an underworld of hospitality is an experience… Read more »

Brum Lit Fest Golden Ticket hunt for free festival access!

The hunt is on. Birmingham Literature Festival is offering free access to festival events to the finders of a golden ticket. Friday 21 April – Sunday 23… Read more »

Goodnight Lenin New Single & Video out now!

‘Portrait of Youth’, the new single by rising UK band Goodnight Lenin on via Static Caravan Recordings, is available to download now. In suspending their celebrated US… Read more »

VIP Big Brum Record Fair review

The VIP Big Brum Record fair was back again in Digbeth and this time in The Custard Factory. Returning in all its glory, the fair had an… Read more »

Chris Rhythm Doctor Interview + DJ Mix

Birmingham and the West Midlands is so often emitted from documentaries, and national news features, when it comes to music scenes or people of influence. Perhaps this… Read more »

All Vegan Eatery makes debut in Brum

All Vegan Eatery makes debut in Brum

After months of anticipation, Birmingham has become the home of a vegan-friendly, sugar free eatery – the first of its kind in the city. Last weekend, Natural… Read more »

One Love: The Bob Marley Musical Review by Victoria Roberts

One Love: The Bob Marley Musical Review by Victoria Roberts

If, like me, you would think that a musical about Bob Marley surely can’t possibly be of much substance, you couldn’t be further from the truth. This… Read more »

Bartender from The Edgbaston wins Ysabel Regina Fusion Competition in Jerez!

The Edgbaston Boutique Hotel & Cocktail Lounge are delighted to announce that Toby Heap, their youngest Bartender competed this week in The Ysabel Regina Fusion Competition held… Read more »

UB40 Visit Local Children’s Charity

Photo: Duncan and Robin Campbell from UB40 meet staff and volunteers during a visit to Acorns in Birmingham. Picture by Matt Campbell. Birmingham music legends UB40 recently… Read more »

El Borracho de Oro review by Laura Bourne

A Spanish gold mine in the heart of Edgbaston, Birmingham, El Borracho de Oro is full of delicious food, exquisite décor, and brilliant staff. The restaurant’s owner,… Read more »

Boca Grande Taco review, The Plough Harborne (part 2)

Wednesday’s at The Plough Harborne have a new springtime menu effortlessly called Boca Grande Taco, which is available all day until 9.30pm. With a simple five-option menu… Read more »

The Old Crown ‘New Menu’ Review by Claire Tucker

The Old Crown is Birmingham pub royalty; it has been quenching the thirst of locals since 1368. And for good reason. The interior is cosy, packed with… Read more »

The Five Best Cinemas in Birmingham by Victoria Roberts

Although it may come as a surprise to some, Birmingham has a selection of fantastic cinemas that are easy to get to and hard to leave. Are… Read more »

Top 10 sights in Birmingham by Isabelle Jones

Everyone claims that, as the second largest city in the UK, Birmingham is a key spot to visit if you’re travelling around the country. And as a… Read more »

Who Do You Think You Are at NEC ft Sunetra Sarker & Tony Robinson

The world’s largest family history show Who Do You Think You Are? Live will be returning to the NEC in Birmingham this April (6-8) for its 11th… Read more »

Boca Grande Taco review, The Plough Harborne (part 1)

Boca Grande Taco review, The Plough Harborne (part 1)

Birmingham has really changed over the last twenty years. Once a clubbing mecca of the Midlands, these days the city is better known for its culinary offerings…. Read more »

Birmingham PHAB Camps launches search for volunteers and young people from the last 50 years

Local charity Birmingham PHAB Camps are searching for children and volunteers from 1967 to celebrate their 50th birthday. Birmingham PHAB Camps turns 50 this year, and is… Read more »

Brum Radio Takeover with Digbeth Dining Club Review

Brum Radio Takeover with Digbeth Dining Club Review

Photo: Jenn Hukins // Brum Radio Facebook Last Saturday I took to the streets of Digbeth to the Brum radio Takeover hosted by Four Eyes Events, Brum… Read more »

Zindiya Indian Street Food Restaurant Review

Zindiya Indian Street Food Restaurant Review

My first introduction into Indian food was the humble Balti in the 1990s. My cousin would invite me up to Birmingham from darkest Herefordshire to sample the… Read more »

The Best Independent Clothes Shops in Birmingham

Birmingham has many large shopping centres which attract the usual high street clothing brands. Such stores can be found across the UK in most towns and cities,… Read more »

Sophie Hedderwick’s mesmerising exhibition

Sophie Hedderwick’s mesmerising exhibition

Karen could not help it, she was obliged to dance a few steps; and when she had once begun, her legs continued to dance. It seemed as… Read more »

Why Go Vegan in Brum? Sally Jones interviews Go Vegan World director Sandra Higgins

You may have seen recently adverts for the Go Vegan World campaign popping up across the city. As a vegan myself, I was intrigued and wanted to… Read more »

Piano Quintets with Cédric Tiberghien (CBSO) – by Laura Bourne

The internationally talented pianist, Cédric Tiberghien, was joined with 4 musicians from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) on the 3rd February and they put a… Read more »

Hyatt Regency wins Best bar and best hotel in birmingham at the wows awards 2017

Hyatt Regency Birmingham were invited to the 12th Wonders of Westside (WOW) Awards, run by Westside Bid, which took place on Sunday 29th January, 2017. The awards… Read more »

Annette Pugh: Somewhere Never Travelled

“I wondered why it was that places are so much lovelier when one is alone” – Daphne Du Maurier, Rebecca Annette Pugh paints the places she visited… Read more »

Birmingham native King Shells new release!

Birmingham native King Shells returns with a new addition to the UK skyline following the smooth release of debut single ‘Flight Mode’. The 4 track EP is… Read more »

New hub for global street food, arts and culture at No21Digbeth

New hub for global street food, arts and culture at No21Digbeth

The opening launch was an overwhelming success, with hundreds of food loving fans flocking to a converted indoor Food Warehouse to enjoy fantastic Cocktails, Global Street food,… Read more »

Girl Band review. Hare and Hounds. 22nd January

No frills, no fanfare, indeed no encore. The band with possibly the most misleading moniker in the history of music shuffle on stage and within a few… Read more »

Blue Aeroplanes review. Hare and Hounds. 19th Jan 2017

Cue the roar of jet engines, a prickle of excitement among the crowd and a stage suddenly looking very small as The Blue Aeroplanes land for action…. Read more »

Pasta Di Piazza’s Guide to a New Year Detox

With the New Year comes healthier lifestyle choices, but just because you’re on a diet, attempting to detox or trying a new fitness regime, does that really… Read more »

Sounds of Musical Theatre review by Amy Stutz

Nothing could brighten up your new year more than the stunning sounds of musical theatre sung by an exceptional cast at the Symphony Hall. Touring again, the… Read more »

Carl Köhler: psychological portraiture from a Swedish master

In recent years Carl Köhler (1919 – 2006) has gained recognition, particularly for his psychologically charged portraits of distinguished writers, artists, composers and musicians. Bordering on abstraction,… Read more »

Abba Classics review by Amy Stutz

The Symphony Hall continued their Christmas season with an evening of classic songs from everybody’s favourite 70s band – ABBA. The four singers of the evening, Annie… Read more »

Marina Medvetskaya’s Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet Interview

A fantastic show is coming to Symphony Hall. Marina Medvetskaya’s Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet will be performing Tchaikovsky’s classic Swan Lake on Saturday 7th January accompanied by… Read more »

White Christmas at Symphony Hall by Amy Stutz

The Birmingham Symphony Hall are renowned for their annual Christmas extravaganza. This year, White Christmas went down a hit with the spectacular concert that spanned across Christmas… Read more »

Festive Favourites with Jessica Hynes

Bringing the festivities to Birmingham this Christmas, Jessica Hynes and the CBSO chorus and orchestra provide a glorious concert of classic Christmas carols, complete with humorous readings… Read more »

Grand Central Adds a Touch of Christmas Magic to Birmingham Children’s Hospital

For many, a Christmas tree is a magical family tradition that brings joy to people’s lives over the festive period. This year, Grand Central has teamed up… Read more »

Grand Central inspires Secret Santa wish list

Grand Central inspires Secret Santa wish list

Struggling for Secret Santa ideas this year? Have you pulled a colleagues name out of the hat which you were really hoping you wouldn’t? Not to worry,… Read more »

Carl Lavia aka Sketch talks art and the city with Ruth Millington

The Man Behind The Map: Carl Lavia – aka Sketch – talks art and the city with Ruth Millington Carl Lavia is a masterful, self-taught artist on… Read more »

for-Wards Needs Brummies Help!

for-Wards is a large-scale, two-year project which will discover the sounds of Birmingham by working with composers and local communities. These sounds will then be used to… Read more »

Chaophraya Christmas Lunch Review

Chaophraya Christmas Lunch Review

As part of Chaophraya’s Christmas Menu launch, I was invited along with a guest to sample their delicious selection of starters and mains (with the odd cocktail… Read more »

It’s full steam ahead as for-Wards launches Community Outreach

for-Wards is a large-scale, two-year project which will discover the sounds of Birmingham by working with composers and local communities. These sounds will then be used to… Read more »

DJ Jazzy Jeff Bass Festival review

Staying true to their reputation of commissioning some of the most original and authentic artists in the black music scene, Punch Records Kicked off their 11th BASS… Read more »

Birmingham restaurant raises £2000 for victims of Italian Earthquake

With the help of its customers, Jewellery Quarter’s very own Pasta Di Piazza has successfully raised £2000, which will be donated to the Italian Red Cross. At… Read more »

Elaine Paige Symphony Hall review by Amy Stutz

Queen of musical theatre brought a new UK tour titled “stripped back” to the Birmingham Symphony Hall this November. As probably the most respected lady in theatreland,… Read more »

Best cafés and coffee shops in Birmingham

Frosty mornings, numb fingertips and a murderous-caffeine deficiency all call for a steaming haven in a cardboard coffee cup. Now, I’m a student so I relate to… Read more »