Part of the Weekend Never Dies…Soulwax, 2 Many Djs @ Space 2 - Custard Factory Warehouse

The custard factory complex was completely opened up for this spectacular event, with Soulwax and 2ManyDjs headlining in the massive Space2 (Custard Factory Warehouse). Those lucky enough to get hold of one of the limited golden tickets were invited to a special screening of Part of Part of the Weekend Never Dies which was filmed on tour with Soulwax and was directed by Saam Farahmand and Soulwax themselves. The behind the scenes documentary was an insight into the tour and featured well known bands and dj’s as well as awesome music throughout.

Space 2 works really well as a large capacity venue, the stage is huge and incorporates an array of professional lighting rigs and a vibrant sound system that works well within the space. Despite being a warehouse, it’s very well catered for, with 2 well stocked bars, toilets, and a large smoking area at the rear under the railway arches. You get the professional looks, acoustics and feeling of being in a dedicated live music venue, combined with the underground and social feeling of being in a warehouse rave.

Both Soulwax and the 2ManyDjs set were very well received by the crowd. Space 2 got pretty full, but not overly packed, with only one or two stray elbows and drops of drink managing to find their way into me. When Space2 closed at 4am with the lights coming on and the familiar noise of bottle being swept about replacing the grooves, the party continued in the Medicine Bar and The Kitchen, although I only looked in briefly as I wandered off to find myself a taxi home. I heard rumours that it went on till 8am, but how many people lasted that long I’ve no idea.

Words & Photos : Tom Horton, more photos at thoshorton.co.uk

The Live Box is a regular performance arts event, run by Nu Century Arts, embracing live music, poetry, hip hop and dance, offering both emerging and established artists the opportunity to develop and perform their work. For seven years, The Live Box has successfully broken down barriers between high art and street culture, providing a relaxed and informal atmosphere for people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. The event itself has retained its own signature style of delivery: every Sunday evening, starting with a performance of rehearsed material from the main artist, The Live Box offers audience members the chance to participate in the jam session. Whilst jazz underpins the majority of The Live Box sessions, a unique feature is that impromptu poetry recitals sit comfortably alongside straight-ahead jazz, and hip hop MCs feel as at home as reggae musicians. The meeting of alternative genres has encouraged many exceptional performances, and defied stereotypes.

Nu Century Arts, and its directors Don and Soweto Kinch, are dedicated to the development and promotion of performing arts in the African-Caribbean community. Based in Birmingham, the organisation embraces an interdisciplinary approach to arts and education and, since its formation in 2000, has established an international reputation for producing groundbreaking, influential work. In addition to The Live Box, the company’s pioneering work encompasses theatre (in the shape of a professional theatre group), literature (Wired Up magazine), and education (jazz workshops, youth theatre and group trips abroad). Nu Century Arts has a commitment to alternative forms of black expression, and its continual advocacy of these forms, coupled with its pursuit of excellence, makes it a valuable resource for all communities.

Sunday 23 March: Pentalk plus Battle in the Box
Pentalk, a stalwart of the Birmingham hip hop scene for over ten years, performs its first ever set at The Live Box and with a full live band; Pentalk also hosts Battle in the Box. Formed in the mid-90s in the B19 area of Birmingham, the collective now spans several countries with members living as far afield as Canada and the US. Despite this, Pentalk has retained its core love of hard hitting beats and rhymes, and continues to astound audiences at appearances such as Newport’s B-Boy Championships and support slots with the likes of KRS One.

Sunday 30 March: The Live Box Crew: Tan, Francis, Nehemiah and Cherelle
Tonight is a showcase for four of Birmingham’s newest leading players. Brought together especially for this show, these young artists have each been regular participants at Live Box events in the past and are each making a name for themselves in different disciplines. 20 year old Francis Mott is an extraordinary vocalist with a timbre and maturity beyond his years. He has previously collaborated with Soweto Kinch, most recently in the staged work The Midnight Hop. 22 year Nehemiah Smith is one of the city’s best-known b-boys as part of the MDK crew, and is also an accomplished jazz drummer. 19 year old b-girl Cherelle Skeet is rapidly becoming an established solo artist, and for three years has run and promoted her own dance company, CRC. Nottingham-born 20 year old MC Tan has been carving a niche for herself performing at the Scratch Club, and supporting rapper David Banner.

Sunday 6 April: GTA
GTA has the exuberance of the O’Jays, the grandeur of Mozart, the swagger of Jay Dilla, the sound of Al Green, the sentiment of Elton John, and the golden tone of early Stevie
Neill Timms (aka Ineffable) and Chima Anya met at school in 2000, quickly created a vibe that excited anyone with a vague musical interest in the Oxford vicinity. Despite Chima moving to Birmingham for five years to complete a medical degree, and Neill staying on in Oxford to study business, the duo continued, and was invited to support legends such as KRS 1, Amp Fiddler, and Flavour Flav, also releasing its debut EP, Love is Here, on Blunted Records. Now a fully qualified practicing doctor and assistant accountant, Chima and Neill, respectively, have embarked upon their debut album, The Way, with the hope of adding some much needed charisma and sophistication to the UK’s urban scene. Drawing influences from the aforementioned hip-hop legends and their ilk, GTA has the substance of old school hip-hop spliced with the cutting edge swagger and charisma of what hip-hop is evolving into.

Sunday 13 April: Z-U led by Neil Charles

Z-U is a three-piece outfit pushing forward the boundaries of improvised music with a homogenous world sound, reflecting the eclectic range of its members’ influences. By taking the raw elements of jazz and allowing generous use of electronics, loops and effects, a symphony of sound is created in which fragments of melody are spontaneously imagined. The band has performed in many venues in London such as The Vortex, Spitz, Notting Hill Arts Club, and it also plays the festival circuit across Europe. The trio – Neil Charles on bass, Shabaka Hutchings on clarinet, and Tom Skinner on drums - recently supported Polar Bear at the London Jazz Festival and has an extensive tour scheduled for 2008.

Sunday 20 April: Tor plus Battle in the Box
Outta east London, this young lady is one of UK black music’s definite future stars. Recognize! - Ras Kwame, BBC 1Xtra
Tor is without doubt one of the strongest new MCs to emerge from the UK. After landing a weekly slot MCing on Mission FM alongside 1Xtra’s Twin B, she notched up a series of impressive collaborations on both sides of the Atlantic, including Kevin Mark Trail, Black Twang, Terri Walker, Gerald Levert, Twista, and Flying Lotus. Both as a female role model in a male dominated genre, and as a innovative performer, she has a genuine mass appeal yet always retains her credentials as a true MC.

Sunday 27 April: Ty and Soweto Kinch
The US hip-hop fraternity could learn from Ty’s third outing: there are 12 tracks, all of pop-song length, no skits, and it lasts under an hour. It is also low on braggadocio and high on ambition… his rhymes remain razor sharp, thought-provoking and often hilarious. [A] bling and fat-free approach to hip-hop - The Guardian
Rapper/producer and Mercury Music Prize nominee, TY has been instrumental in British hip hop since the early-90s. Born in London to Nigerian immigrants, he has evolved an uniquely British sound, consistently pushing back musical frontiers with challenging lyrical content. TY has appeared on tracks produced by IG Culture’s New Sector Movement, MC Mell ‘O’, DJ Shortee Blitz, and DJ Pogo. His third album, Closer, featured the likes of Eska Mtungwazi, De La Soul and Bahamadia. Ty and Soweto have staunch views about the distortions of ‘urban’ music and hip hop’s commercialisation; both also consistently push back the limitations of genres: don’t miss this rare opportunity to catch both artists together in what will be a thought provoking, original and, most of all, entertaining show.

DMC the organisation behind the much lauded World DJ Championships are about to embark on a nationwide tour to find the country’s finest DJ. The search will commence in Plymouth on Friday 25^th April through to 21^st June, culminating with a UK Final at London’s Islington Academy on Thursday 17^th July. It is here where the regional heat winners will battle it out for the coveted UK Champion title and a place at the World Finals to be held September 26^th – 27^th at Indigo2, London.

There’s also exclusive tour support from the 2007 DMC World Champion - DJ Rafik who will be showcasing his winning routine and entertaining the crowds with awesome club sets. These are DJ Rafik’s first and only UK appearances and an opportunity not to be missed! Additionally, there will be special guest appearances from 1989 DMC World Champion - Cutmaster Swift, and the highly acclaimed MC Trip, well known for his work with Killa Kela under the Spit Kingdom guise.

The Birmingham leg of the tour is hosted by Midlands hip hop stalwarts, Heducation. Now in its seventh year, Heducation returns to its original home at the Custard Factory, the hub of Birmingham’s creative quarter. Heducation has witnessed many UK and world champions grace the stage, including 3 times winner - DJ Craze, as well as 1996 victor - DJ Noize, world team champions - The Scratch Perverts, and more recently, both 2007 UK champs - DJ Switch and DJ JFB. In the Medicine Bar, the DMC guests will be joined by Heducation founder, DJ Mylz. The Kitchen will play host to Bass Operations whose DJs bring a soundtrack of energetic drum and bass to keep the party on its toes.

Click here for the full lineup, tickets and more

Eclectricity returns to the Custard Factory in association with Bacardi B Live, for another full site event utilising many of the unique spaces on offer to create a boutique festival experience in the heart of Digeth, Birmingham. We continue our policy of breaking down genres, keeping things varied and interesting with a whole host of different music styles on offer for today’s discerning music lovers. From house to breaks, indy to electro, techno to drum n bass, hip-hop to dub step and whatever other sub genres you can create….. there is something for everyone!

Gibb Street in Digbeth will be cordoned off, to make way for an array of music areas and other activities. This will create an inner city festival with over 5 rooms of music and other activities! With two massive main arenas expect a big room, festival vibe and carnival party atmosphere but at an affordable price and minus the mud!

The Custard Factory lake (normally a pool of water situated directly in the middle of the Custard Factory complex) will be drained and a luxury heated marquee put in its place to act as the BACARDI B LIVE ARENA in association with SPECTRUM Headlining is one of most in demand new breed of DJ’s on circuit, ANNIE MAC. When she manages to find time in her hectic schedule in between her weekly Friday night “Mash Up” show on BBC Radio 1 as well as having her own TV programme on BBC 2 every Saturday, it is always a pleasure to welcome her to Birmingham! Added to this are Spectrum favourites THE PLUMP DJ’s. Their last performance in February was a complete sell out and this is the first time they will have performed on the Marquee set up of the Custard Factory so there is much hype surrounding this one!

The COUNT (otherwise known as Herve) and SINDEN also perform live alongside vocalists and dancers. Expect to hear classic tunes such as “Beeper” (which is currently playlisted on Radio 1) as well as other club mash ups and booty shaking house from two of the hottest talents to emerge on the scene. We also welcome seminal live act THE WHIP who are making waves with the release of their new album. They are a great crossover acts gaining props from the electronic fraternity as well as the indy kids having toured with the likes of JUSTICE and SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO. Custard Factory favourite and Spectrum resident PETE JORDAN completes the bill

The SCRATCH PERVERTS host Space 2 (The Custard Factory Warehouse) with a massive bill of upfront talent covering Hip Hop, Breaks, Drum n Bass and Dub Step. The Mercury music award winning RONI SIZE presents his full live band REPRAZENT whom headline the BEATDOWN arena. Off the back of the re-release of New Forms, one of the most seminal albums in Drum n Bass, REPRAZENT hit the road with a sell out tour of the UK. Such was the demans that they added some extra one off dates….. this beinhg one of them! The biggest name in Drum n Bass, the iconic ANDY C also joins fellow heavyweight FRICTION as well as CASPA & RUSKO who bring Dub Step flavours to make a very eclectic and exciting programme of music. Not to mention the SCRATCH PERVERTS themselves on 6 turntables, 4 CDJS and 3 mixers with their unique blend of party tunes and deck wizardry that have earned them a cabinet full of awards and critical acclaim!

The Factory Club sees Space Ibiza resident and house legend STEVE LAWLER alongside PAUL WOOLFORD bringing techno, tech house, progressive and minimal to the line up adding a new musical dimension to a very eclectric programme! Plus the finest local DJ talent Birmingham has to offer in the Kitchen and Rooty Fruity!

Added to this will be a large cocktail bar with fully trained flare staff serving a delicious range of Bacardi cocktails, plenty of seating areas, 2 outside courtyards for the smokers, food and entertainment stalls, street performers and so much more! Do not miss what is set to be one of the largest electronic music events in Birmingham of 2008!

Date: Bank Holiday Sunday 25^th May 2008

The Custard Factory Complex, Gibb Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AA

Time: 21:00 – 06:00

Tickets: -

Limited Earlybirds £15 + bf

General Admission £20 + bf

Outlets: -

Credit Card Bookings: 0844 870 0000

Online Tickets: click here

Birmingham

Swordfish Records – 0121 6334859

Old Skool Daze (Selly Oak) - 0121 4720777

Jibbering Records (Moseley) – 0121 4494551

Smokin Vinyl (Erdington) - 0121 373 7051

6 Rooms – 8 Bars – Cloakroom

Due to the massive success of the October event we have added more facilities including 2 larger bar facilities, extra toilets as well as Hot and Cold Food stalls.

Info: 0121 4720777 / 0121 6936333

Click here for the WOIB listing, full lineup and tickets.

Kerrang! Radio DJ, EMMA SCOTT presents yet another mouth-watering night of great live music with an exceptional line up of superb bands, all introduced and brought to you by the first lady of rock (and vodka) the “wench” herself EMMA SCOTT

“I can’t believe I’m going to have to have to wait a whole two to three months till the next” BlaggerZguide, Dec 07’

Bank Holiday Saturday 24^th May

Custom Made presents…

Luke Unabomber (Electric Chair)

Biggabush (Rockers Hi-Fi/The Big Chill)

Royal Gala (9 piece funk/ska band)

‘Decks, Rugs and Proper Coal’

Sisters and Brethren, Custom Made is back after a snoozy winter, ready to present to you another slice of the delectable festival pie that we began and brought to you last year.

After a MORE than fun 2007, we are now well and truly addicted to all your friendly faces and couldn’t help but plot another shenanigan for the pleasure of your eyes and ears.

But we wanted to give you bigger!

SO bigger venue (Hare and Hounds), bigger flyer and a MUCH bigger bunch of folk at your performing beckon call.

Expect what you know, a no nonsense party with happy faces and beats that make your derriere shake, Custom Made niceties and a mighty warm welcome.

BUT as a Saturday and Bank Holiday (no less!), expect louder, longer and a perfect excuse for having to spend Sunday with your eyes shut, on the sofa or at the most, in your local.

Luke Unabomber (Electric Chair)

His sets cannot be characterised; house, disco, hip-hop, broken beat, latin, soul, and techno thrown into the pot, and making the links between quality music with a rich vein of funk and soul. As one half of The Unabombers, and a resident and promoter of the Electric Chair (one of the UK’s longest running club nights), Luke has been accorded cult status for this monthly night of madness and mayhem. He has also graced the stage at T-In-The-Park, V, Creamfields, Fabric, Back To Basics, Bugged Out &The Hacienda, to name but a few.

www.electriks.co.uk

www.myspace.com/unabomberspace

Biggabush (Rockers Hi-Fi/The Big Chill)

A regular at the Big Chill festival, BiggaBush spent much of the 90s with seminal dub/house/electronic outfit Rockers Hi Fi. A past master at genre blending, expect to hear gems of deep funk, quirky late 60s mindbending prog, acid house, afrobeat original and reborn, eclectronica, psychedelia, dub, rocksteady, bluebeat, insane cover versions, exotica, big bands, boogaloo, rockers, bangers and classics and as the man himself says: “everything but trance”.

www.biggabush.co.uk

www.myspace.com/lionheadrecordings

Royal Gala (9 piece funk/ska band)

Royal Gala are a cocktail of Dub, Reggae, Funk, Soul and Ska and Full on Brass Laden Orchestral Grooves. Playing with Neville Staple (The Specials) and at Notting Hill Arts Club with Sweet Memory Sounds, Custom Made is excited to host this 9 piece live extravaganza…bring the noise!

www.myspace.com/royalgalaband

MASH Cinema

Veritable Custom Made VIP’s, Mash Cinema is about bringing films, music and art together in an informal setting and exposing audiences to things they would otherwise not have access to. It is loose, fluid and about breaking out of the standard cinema structure of rows of chairs and a cinema screen.

www.mashcinema.com

www.myspace.com/mashcinema

LML

These boys have been with Custom Made from the off and are the perfect visual accompaniment for the Custom Made vibe. These lads not only paint like demons, but party like them too! Artists from middle England, they have painted at some of the biggest parties in the UK. The Big Chill festival, Bloom festival & Shambala www.myspace.com/lmlpaintteam

Filling up the Ballroom we have got a good ole friend of ours from the free party scene (before the Criminal Justice Bill peed on our fun), Jinx in Dub (a dirty dubby breaks bandit from Bristol, and warming you up, our local lad of lunacy Lenny (Open Minded People), with his incomprehensible ability to move funk, soul and party vibes through those that didn’t event know they could skank!

Then there’s The Drawing Room, a cinematic musical frenzy of eye popping goodness. DJ Wee Poo will serve upfront video mash ups, fusing classic hip-hop with electro and a little bit of barn dancing. The Chop Shop, will give you cut-up AV comedy stylings, which are simply, “Fricking clever”, according to Bestival head honcho Rob Da Bank. And finally, Ariake Waveband, a cinematic blend of shoegaze era indie and electronica

And the Jam in the Dodger will be whipped up by our very good friends, Loafers Lounge.

For no other reason than to give you lovely people more to mingle with there will also be stuff to read, stuff to eat, and stuff to play with.

Come limbered! 

Showtime 7pm

Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath

7 gold coins

Facebook

www.myspace.com/custommadeevent

www.dontstayin.com/parties/custom-made

(All event photography by Rob Nicholas – spagettihoops@aol.com)

Welcome to the What’s On In Brum? blog. This blog will be used for

• Notices of updates and new features for the WOIB website
• Press releases and articles about upcoming events in Birmingham
• Reviews and photo galleries from events in Birmingham

We must admit that we’ve been a little lazy with keeping the site up to date in the past few months but we’ve decided to turn that around and get the site back on top form. We’re also developing some neat new tools for the website so watch out for those.

If you’re into RSS feeds they’re now available on WOIB. Just look out for that little orange square. We’ve created feeds from all sorts of lists including one for each venue, music style, event type and a “next 7 days” feed. If you’re new to RSS feeds read more about them here.

We welcome any suggestions or feedback.