Reviews & Features

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

Under the Shadow – Review by Sally Watson-Jones

Thanks to Flatpack for the invite to review Under The Shadow which will be available on Netflix. This horror from Iranian director Babak Anvari was a hit… Read more »

for-Wards two-year city-wide music project

10 Composers, 30 Musicians, 40 Community Groups, 10 Local Performances.  2 years, 1 Spectacular Performance for-Wards is an ambitious two-year city-wide music project creating original musical compositions… Read more »

The Best Pizza in Birmingham by Megan Matthews

When the moon hitting your eye looks like a big pizza pie, that’s probably your body telling you that you need a slice – or, more realistically,… Read more »

Pasta di Piazza celebrates 21st anniversary with big Give-Away!

Pasta di Piazza celebrates 21st anniversary by giving away hundreds of bags of pasta in Birmingham City Centre which people can redeem for a free meal! September… Read more »

A Celebratory Weekend for Grand Central Shoppers

September 2016: – This weekend will mark one year since the launch of Grand Central – Birmingham’s most talked about shopping centre. To celebrate the first birthday,… Read more »

Brummies are Generous, Chocoholics with a Shoe Fetish?!

This month marks the first-year milestone for Grand Central; one of Birmingham’s most talked about developments in decades, which introduced a number of premium brands that the… Read more »

Alchemy Arrives in Heart of Brum

Alchemy Arrives in Heart of Brum

Popular bar and restaurant brand, The Alchemist, took over the home of the iconic Bullring Bull in Birmingham last week, as they prepare to make their debut… Read more »

Flatpack & Dudley Zoological Gardens open-air cinema

Flatpack & Dudley Zoological Gardens open-air cinema

On Saturday evening, Dudley Zoological Gardens joined forces with Flatpack: Assemble to transform Dudley Castle into an open-air cinema for one night only. Over 600 people attended… Read more »

Bar + Block restaurant review

Bar + Block restaurant review

Bar + Block is a modern yet homely restaurant in the heart of Brum’s business district. I had heard good things about the food, so a chance… Read more »

The Best Live Music Venues in Birmingham

Birmingham is experiencing unprecedented times with regards to its food scene. Dine Birmingham and their food festivals, whisky and wine tasting at fab locations such as Loki… Read more »

Aria Restaurant review by Amy Stutz

Aria Restaurant review by Amy Stutz

Located inside the luxurious Hyatt hotel, situated on Broad Street in the heart of Birmingham’s city centre, is the Aria restaurant. Serving high-quality cuisine in a contemporary… Read more »

Debut EP from Delta ∆utumn released by Flood Studio

Debut EP from Delta ∆utumn released by Flood Studio

∆utumn, the self-titled debut EP from rising live UK act Delta ∆utumn released by Flood Studio, is available now on iTunes and streaming platforms. Smashing hip hop,… Read more »

A New Bar for the Great Western Arcade

Charter Brands, best-known for creating Langley’s No. 8 Gin, has announced its first permanent venture into the world of hospitality. The spirits specialist has chosen Birmingham’s Great… Read more »

Morais Vibes Interview

For our latest Q&A session we catch up with local DJ and producer Morais Vibes. Morais DJs at the Bureau bar on Colmore Row in Birmingham city… Read more »

Carluccio’s Grand Central Review by Kathryn Byng

It had been some time since I had visited a Carluccio’s and appreciated the invitation to the new restaurant in Grand Central. We received a warm welcome… Read more »

UK Athletes Attempt World Record for Charity

Six Birmingham athletes will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the longest weight-training workout to help raise £100,000 for Birmingham Children Hospital’s Star Appeal. The… Read more »

Park Regis Showcases Deafblind Active Exhibition

To celebrate Deafblind Awareness Week, the Park Regis Hotel in Birmingham will host a photographic showcase of Sense’s work in sport. A supporter of Sense’s TouchBase Pears… Read more »

Rofuto Japanese Restaurant Review

Rofuto Japanese Restaurant Review

There are various sushi restaurants dotted around Birmingham, the most famous locally being Sushi Passion. However, the addition of Rofuto which is situated on top of Park… Read more »

Sing goodbye to stress

2016 sees the national awareness week focus on how men can beat stress – which is particularly pertinent with figures revealed from The Health & Safety Executive,… Read more »

The Botanist Review by Amy Stutz

The Botanist Review by Amy Stutz

Tucked away in central Birmingham is an absolute gem of a restaurant, the Botanist is located on Temple Street and Birmingham are lucky enough to hold one… Read more »

Best Tapas Restaurants in Birmingham

Best Tapas Restaurants in Birmingham

Being a picky eater can be hard sometimes; like, when you go to a restaurant, what do you go for? It’s a big commitment to pick just… Read more »

New Sponsorships for Pet Show

The fun filled animal-tastic Pet Show is making its return to Stoneleigh Park this summer for its fourth consecutive year. The show promises to give adults and… Read more »

Retail’s Future? Grand Central Enterprise Project

This month, as part of the school curriculum, Enabling Enterprise has enlisted Birmingham’s Grand Central to help children and young people turn their lesson objectives into real… Read more »

Best Places to Eat in Grand Central!

Best Places to Eat in Grand Central!

It’s not easy to squeeze in a lunch break, but it’s often necessary for our health and sanity. That’s why Grand Central’s restaurants and cafes have a… Read more »

Live Music Weekends at The Big Bull’s Head!

Live Music Weekends at The Big Bull’s Head!

The Big Bull’s Head joins just a small list of public houses in Birmingham that can offer a little bit of everything! Situated in the heart of… Read more »

Exclusive: Sally W-Jones Interviews Hal Cruttenden

Comedian Hal Cruttenden is currently touring the UK after returning from Australia with his new tour. Sally W-Jones caught up with him to chat about shocking comedy,… Read more »

Grand Central giving away £100 Gift Cards!

Grand Central are running a nice little competition right now. Its national smile month in May, and they want people to share the moments which have made… Read more »

Nick Drake celebrated in Two Local Festivals

Nick Drake celebrated in Two Local Festivals

Nick Drake is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential musicians of all time. His Contemporary folk songs only really became popular after his death, but… Read more »

Win 2 Tickets for Way To Blue: The Songs Of Nick Drake at Symphony Hall

We’re giving away a pair of tickets for the brilliant Way To Blue: The Songs Of Nick Drake live music event at Symphony Hall Thursday 12th May…. Read more »

Be At One’s Five A Day Cocktails

Be At One’s Five A Day Cocktails

As the summer is approaching and a number of us are getting ‘beach body ready’ it’s refreshing to hear that the new Be At One cocktail bar,… Read more »

Visiting Birmingham? Look Here!

Birmingham’s continued renaissance in food, arts, music and culture means that there are more people visiting the city and region than ever before. There are many great… Read more »

El Borracho Exclusive Tasting Review

El Borracho Exclusive Tasting Review

Emma Yufera-Ruiz, has a lot to celebrate this year, having successfully opened her 4th authentic Spanish restaurant in 6 years, this time in the upmarket area of… Read more »

Field Harmonics release new album 20th May

UK electro-pop duo Field Harmonics release their second album ‘Corners’ on Friday 20 May 2016 via Wayside and Woodland Recordings. The collection of nine expansive and immersive… Read more »

Amala Spa & Club Review

The opportunity recently arose to review the Amala Spa & Club situated beneath the Hyatt Regency Hotel, so I gave it a whirl. Amala is an urban… Read more »

DJ Andy Smith at Hare & Hounds + Exclusive Q&A by Sam Redmore

For our latest exclusive Q&A, Sam Redmore of Freestyle, has caught up with legendary DJ Andy Smith (who many will recognise from his work with Portishead), ahead… Read more »

Tara Tomes of East Village Q&A

With all the brand new developments going on in Brum, there comes new business, whether that be retail, food & drink, leisure or accommodation. All this needs… Read more »

Actress & Bishop Refit & Lou Woodley Q&A

Actress & Bishop Refit & Lou Woodley Q&A

Situated in the heart of St Pauls Square in The Jewellery Quarter, The Actress & Bishop opened in 2003 and has since become one of the city’s… Read more »

Trainspotting Play review by Maryam Snape

Trainspotting, In Your Face Theatre Company’s take on Irvine Welsh’s iconic story of the highs and lows of heroin addiction in late 1980s Leith in Edinburgh. When… Read more »

New ‘Busby Cocktail Bar’ to open on top of the BT Tower!

Exciting news comes to us on the grapevine about a brand new cocktail bar which may be situated on the top of Birmingham’s BT Tower offering spectacular… Read more »

Fried Chicken & Garage Rock Heaven at One Tricky Pony, review by Mazzy Snape

Every other Thursday local promoters ‘Killer Wave’ take over One Trick Pony Club in Moseley. The music is always good, with bands ranging from psychedelic indie to… Read more »

The All-Star Stand-Up Tour 2016 + Q&A of the Stars

Together for the first time and ready to take the roof off! Stand by for the stand-up comedy event of the year as Double Sony Award winner… Read more »

Night & Day Markets Review & Adam Regan Interview

Night & Day Markets Review & Adam Regan Interview

Last weekend, Seasonal Markets and Leftfoot joined forces to bring The Night & Day Markets to Digbeth. This two day festival witessed a bespoke banquet of music,… Read more »

The Lord Clifden Sunday Roast Review

The Lord Clifden Sunday Roast Review

I’ve been exceedingly aware of The Lord Clifden’s reputation for good food for many years, way before the onset of sharp-witted food bloggers and self proclaimed foodologists… Read more »

5 Fab Ideas to Treat your Mom this Mother’s Day

Try the Chi Kitchen Mother’s Day Menu Chi Kitchen is a Chinese and Pan-Asian restaurant located in Debenhams, The Bullring. Chi represents energy, health and balance in… Read more »

Exclusive Joe ‘Independent Birmingham’ Interview

Exclusive Joe ‘Independent Birmingham’ Interview

In our last Q&A session we spoke with Adam Regan on his endeavours in dance music, and a successful interview it was too. With over 160 social… Read more »

El Borracho De Oro Tapas Restaurant Review by Ken Byng

El Borracho De Oro Tapas Restaurant Review by Ken Byng

You wait years for a decent Tapas restaurant and then several come along at once… Birmingham diners in search of some Hispanic cuisine in the city centre… Read more »

Lisa Mitchell & Harry Jordan gig review by Lee Endres

As soon as Harry Jordan got to the microphone, we were immediately taken in by her personable aura. The Ort Cafe audience tonight is a well behaved… Read more »

Watch and Listen to Grapevine Reviewer Lee Endres’ latest song!

Grapevine Reviewer Lee Endres has recently returned to the West Midlands from Brighton where he wrote for a local what’s on guide. There’s much more to Lee… Read more »

Exclusive Adam Regan ‘Leftfoot and Hare & Hounds’ Interview

Exclusive Adam Regan ‘Leftfoot and Hare & Hounds’ Interview

So our first interview for 2016 and it’s a good one! Many people will know or have been to a Leftfoot event, if not you will most… Read more »

A Radio Love Affair ft 1972 Brum Soul Radio Broadcast

A Radio Love Affair ft 1972 Brum Soul Radio Broadcast

Here’s a little bit about my own love affair with radio, featuring an interview from local soul DJ legend Mickey Nold (and a radio show from 1972… Read more »