If Birmingham hasn’t been on your top list of destinations to visit it sure should be. Birmingham is being put back on the map with the emergence of breakthrough electronic artists tearing up the scene, as well as world class events sure to get better and better each year.
Birmingham is not greatly renowned for it musical heritage, although we can claim Black Sabbath, I’m sure cities such as Liverpool and Manchester are always everyone’s favourite musical cities, outside of the big smoke London obviously. But that is sure to change. To name just a few, artists such as Cause and Affect, Tom Shorterz, Adam Shelton and Hannah Wants (admittedly from Redditch but who’s judging) are currently storming the scene with their talents.
I strongly suggest you check out these soundclouds to get a taster for what Birmingham is offering, from deep house, to classic EDM, Birmingham has got something for everyone.
You can’t talk about Brum without mentioning our amazing venues and nightlife. Away from the cheese of broad street the Digbeth area of the city is currently bustling with exciting events and regular club nights you wont want to miss. At the heart of this is the Rainbow Complex. Made up of a selection of different venues from a pub, to it’s infamous warehouse.
Regular nights at the venues include 2:31, which unlike you average night opens its door at 2:31am, and Face, both feature regular DJ’s as well as new emerging talent. If a rave is what your after then the Rainbow Venues should be your regular haunt. The vast expanse of the complex certainly does not draw from the venues underground style. From small and intimate in the venues cellar to festivals held in the venues arena there is something for everyone at this place, if your lucky enough you can even find yourself in a street party.
Other venues worth trying are Spotlight and NextDoor sister venues to the Rainbow, on a much smaller scales these venues are playing only the latest on the electronic music scene, but with a relaxed casual atmosphere if the Rainbows warehouse parties aren’t your style then Spotlight and NextDoor sure are the places for you. Away from the club’s it’s worth mentioning every Friday the Digbeth Dining Club brings together a host of street food vendors where you can relax with anything from a burrito to noodles in one hand and a cold pint in the other. It’s a great way to line the stomach for a busy weekend taking on the city.
With Birmingham on the rise it has to be said were getting some stellar events to suite the cities growing popularity. With Hip Hop giants Kanye West and Drake performing at Wireless Festival during the summer, the electronic scene is also getting some major performers playing in the city centre. Most recently the MADE Birmingham mini festival has brought ravers nationwide to the heart of the city. With a line up including heavyweights Annie Mac and Chase and Status to representing the city with local brands Seedy Sonic and Face, the festivals first outing sure went off with a bang. If your wondering where in the city centre could this event behold, well, in true brummy style the event was brought to the city in a car park that had been transformed into an epicentre for it’s ravers.
Despite some hiccups and delays the event did not let the city down and proves that Birmingham has got a lot going for it, and with such a successful first outing you need to be getting yourselves ready for those first release tickets for MADE 2015. If you can’t bear to wait any longer and are already planning your journey along the M6 then visit the rainbow website below to get a taster of events that the city has to offer.
http://www.therainbowvenues.co.uk
Guest words by Ed McHugh
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