scene birmingham 1st birthday issue

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Shoot Luke Photography Black & redluke horton // 07941339633www.shootlukephotgraphy.com

Why do people hate Birmingham?

I recently read with interest, and sadness, an article that discussed why people don’t like Birmingham.

In the article, it discussed the trend as something that stems back centuries to the days of Jane Austen. The recent 200th anniversary of her most famous work, Pride and Prejudice, has once more shone light on the damning critique of Birmingham that is inherent within as character Emma states; “Birmingham is not a place to promise much... One has no great hopes of Birmingham. I always say there is something direful in that sound.”

Not Austen’s own words but that of a snobbish, boorish character. Still, this clearly this does not bode well for our fair city. Yes Birmingham has it’s troubled areas and is suffocated by the concrete legacy of the 70’s. Howev-er, the city has also churned out a great many famous and well-respected figures in various fields from indus-trialists James Watt and Matthew Boulton to renowned politician Joseph Chamberlain, who was sustained in his career by the people of Birmingham.

In modern times, we have a thriving music scene, which has undergone a resurgence of late, and with bands such as Peace and Swim Deep championing the move-ment and receiving national acclaim – the future looks bright for our young starlets.

We’ve also talked extensively about the structural changes that are being made to the city in order to bring it up to a level where it can compete with its European counterparts, which was spearheaded first

by the building of the iconic Selfridges store in the Bullring.

Culturally, we have a vibrant scene that offers a host of internationally and locally developed shows, which draw in scores of visitors each year. Did you know that the Hippodrome is one of the most visited theaters in the country? Couple that with the plethora of other theatre houses, museums and gallery’s – and we have the making of being a fu-ture Capital of Culture. But for this to happen we need to change our attitudes toward the city – change must come from within.

For the Birmingham bashing to cease, we must believe in and work towards a better Birmingham collectively. It will take time, but we can achieve this and next time someone asks you ‘what’s Birmingham like?”, think before you answer as we have a great deal to shout about and your opinion could influence someone else’s view of our city.

Lee

[email protected]

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contents

News

Dj Destruction Winners Interview

Steel Pulse

SCENE Gallery

Whyt Noyz

TheClubAndSpa

The Hallmark Of A Good Time

An Interview With Justice Williams MBE

Lost & found

Beauty & Fashion

Mothers Day Gift Guide

St. Patricks Day

Milly Jackson’s Illustration

Events Guide

A Different Side: The Opera

Cocktail of The Month

The BIG Bass Birthday Mix Playlist

Managing Director - Jessica Fitzpatrick - [email protected] Editor - Lee hall - lee.hall@scenebirmingham Graphics - EVP Visuals [email protected] Editors Assitant - Talisha JohnsonContributing Writers - James Wootton, Sophia BlakeyJess Slater, Ami Streets and Eric JosephContributing Photographers - Please note the photos used on the front cover are a collection of images we have used in the magazine over the last year.Photographers include Andy Pilsbury, Garazi, Shoot Luke, Paul Ward, Alex Matravers and Andre James

Sales- Donna Joseph- [email protected] 224 7394

All information is correct at the time of going to press.No part of this magazine may be used without the per-mission from Scene Birmingham Magazine. All rights

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Scene Birmingham nominated for Hot 500 Award

As we prepare to celebrate our first birthday in April, it is with great pride that we can announce we have been nominated for the Best Media Business Award hosted by the Hot 500 Awards 2013.

Taking place on Wednesday 24th April 2013 at Aston Villa Football club, the inaugural awards celebrate the best and brightest entrepreneurs in the West Midlands, whilst providing a great networking platform for young people to help them achieve business and personal goals.

These unique awards put the power in the hands of the public that will decide by voting who will win each award. To view the full list and vote for your favourite go to www.TheHot500.co.uk. While you’re there, vote for Scene Birmingham to win…go on you know you want to!

Café Opus Opens at Ikon

Two of Scene Birmingham’s favourite institutions, Opus restaurant and Ikon, have come together to create café Opus at the Ikon Gallery, Brindleyplace.

The new venture promises unfussy British classics such as boiled egg and soldiers (£2.50) or delicacies the likes of which Opus is famed for, including creamy forest mushrooms and tarragon on toast (£3.50), with more substantial meals also available.

The Brindleyplace location marks a return for Opus directors Ann Tonks, Irene Allan and David Colcombe, who were the original team that founded Bank. They left to set up Opus in July 2005, building a reputation as one of the city’s most successful restaurants.

Ann Tonks, Director at Opus, commented: “The concept for this ‘little sister’ venue is that it will have the same focus on quality British produce and good value as we do at Opus, but in a less formal setting.

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“We are glad to be back again in Brindleyplace, which is a vibrant and exciting part of the city and Ikon is the perfect partner for us with their range of pioneering and transformative exhibitions that contribute greatly to Birmingham as a creative city.”

Ikon is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art venue situated in central Birmingham. Housed in the dramatic neo-gothic Oozells Street School, the gallery features artists from around the world with a regular programme of exhibitions and events.

The newly refurbished venue, designed by Suzanne Barnes Design Partnership, opened at the end of February.

Visit Birmingham to Promote City’s Cultural Excellence

Birmingham’s eclectic arts and culture scene is being heralded by VisitEngland’s Cultural Cities promotion, in a joint venture with Visit Birmingham, in order to help grow tourism for the region, and is part of a national scheme to increase overall tourist levels in England.

With one programme already complete, Birmingham will once more be one of 13 English cities featured as part of the integrated marketing campaign which will incorporate a range of national online, broadcast and print elements in the partnership.

The marketing and PR campaign, run by Visit Birming-ham, will begin in March and will focus on showcasing the wealth of arts and culture within Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull throughout 2013 and beyond.

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services for Visit Birmingham, said:

“Birmingham is a vibrant cultural centre that continues to attract record numbers of visitors each year. With the launch of the new Library of Birmingham in September and countless independent festivals on the horizon, 2013 is set to be a big year for arts and culture in the region, providing a unique opportunity to shine the spotlight on our diverse visitor offering.

“Following the Cultural Cities partnership with Vis-itEngland, we will be launching a new campaign in March highlighting the region’s culture credentials – from our world-renowned arts institutions to the lesser known cultural gems – and the next generation of rising stars making a name for Birmingham and beyond on the national stage.”

VisitEngland’s Cultural Cities campaign is the second of six launching over the next three months, covering the four key themes of countryside, coast, heritage and culture and is part of its three-year investment project called ‘Growing Tourism Locally’. Funded by £19.8mil-lion from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, the

project aims to generate £365million in additional tourism spend over the 2012-15 period and inspire more UK residents to take more holidays and short breaks at home.

Aussie Bar undergoes £1,000,000 Makeover

In these times of economic austerity, investments are few and far between. But Walkabout on Broad Street has undergone a £1,000,000 transformation creating a stunning new environment and 28 new bar jobs.

The venue now boasts a host of tubular new features including two additional bars, exclusive V.I.P. areas and two phenomenal main room makeovers, creating a whole new Antipodean world that you certainly won’t need to fly Emirates for.

The refurbishment includes a cool ‘wave design’ bar that sees one of the bars sitting right in the barrel of a giant wooden wave, and a ‘Reef Bar’ that features mul-tiple projectors showing under-sea footage on linked screens, giving the feeling of being in an underwater paradise.

What the investment demonstrates is that retailers and bar chains still recognise Birmingham as a growing market and, hopefully, the trend of investing in making the Second City bigger and better will continue!

Second City Sexier than the Capital

According to recent research from UStarNovels.co.uk Birmingham has more romantic people per capita.

Based on information collected from over 2,000 purchasers from the romantic and erotic book supplier, Birmingham has more people ordering sexy books.

The list was topped by East Midlands neighbours Nottingham, earning it the new nickname ‘Hottingham’ – which, lets face it, is better than its previous one!

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Dynamic live music arena launched inBirmingham

An exciting new live music and special events arena is being launched in Birmingham aiming to bring big-name acts to the city and a broad mix of great entertainment.

The Hub opens officially on April 5 with an exclusive DJ set from chart-topping JLS, followed by an after-show party.

Mangers have already lined up acts including reggae legends Aswad, the Drifters, SKA legends Bad Manners and the fantastic Three Degrees as well as a series of UK number one tribute bands.

The team at The Hub is currently working on securing some very exciting big names for the remainder of 2013 and 2014 and is also very keen to provide a plat-form for new, break-through musicians in the Midlands as part of the exploding B-town scene.

Jane Williams, spokeswoman for The Hub team, said: “The aim is to provide a dynamic new music arena which offers a broad cross-section of affordable live music to appeal to a mix of age groups and music genres on a regular basis, using a great space for live entertainment.”

Simon Baker, events co-ordinator, said: “Essex House, in Kent Street, home of the Hub, has superb staging facilities, a state-of-the-art sound and lighting rig, numerous bars, and large outdoor smoking areas on every floor.

“The venue also provides a fantastic, contemporary space for promoters with a passion for music, fashion and urban living.

“The Hub offers a unique environment for live music in the city and because of its layout and venue size the Hub is able to give that special intimate connec-

tion between artist and audience, and yet is also big enough to generate some wild and crazy energy levels from the crowd. It’ll be a dynamic place to catch a live gig.”

For further information, and advanced tickets please visit www.thehublivemusic.co.uk or join us on Face-book.com/thehubbirmingham

Pop Up Rainbow

This May sees the launch of the new ‘Pop Up Rainbow’ concept that will take place at various top-secret loca-tions across the city and revellers will have to follow The Rainbow Venues Facebook Page to find out more about each event.

www.facebook.com/therainbowvenues

2:31 Goes To Ibiza

2:31, one of Birmingham’s premiere after-party events, is taking the brand international following the unbe-lievable success it has encountered in Birmingham.

In the next few weeks details will be announced of plans for the brands expansion to the shores of Ibiza - home of the after-party, where 2:31 hope to mimic the success they have achieved in Birmingham.

For more info go to www.facebook.com/two31

Birthday Celebrations

Two of Birmingham’s biggest parties ‘If... U Want It’ @ Bushwackers & Below celebrate their birthdays over the next few months. First up Below’s 8th Birthday in the Arena takes place on the 4th and 5th of May. Then we celebrate 7 years of Bushwackers at the end of May, Check the facebook pages for more info.


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What you can expect from Hampton by Hilton Broad Street:

Friendly service, clean rooms, comfortable surroundings, every time. If you’re not satisfied, we don’t expect you to pay. That’s our commitment and your guarantee.

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news

Ready to get out and explore?

You can hit the town knowing you have a nice comfy room waiting for you

with extras like free hot breakfast and free high speed internet throughout

the hotel to help make your stay more enjoyable. Plus you can earn Hilton

HHonours points and airline miles with every stay. It’s real value from Hampton.

What you can expect from Hampton by Hilton Broad Street:

Friendly service, clean rooms, comfortable surroundings, every time. If you’re not satisfied, we don’t expect you to pay. That’s our commitment and your guarantee.

™

DJSuki10c’s DJ destruction competition had scores of DJ’s enter

to try and win the top prize of one thousand pounds. Three

DJ’s battled in the final to decide the winner with Hip Hop DJ,

producer and musician, Feva, eventually taking the crown!

After battling his way through the rounds to win the coveted

first prize. Scene magazine chatted to a very happy Mel Birkill

(AKA Feva) about music, Hip Hop and his future plans as a

musician.

dj feva aka mel birkill

DJ Destru

ction W

inner

Interviews

How did you find out about the Suki10c DJ destruction competition and what made you want to take part?

I chose to take part in the competition when I found out what the amazing prize was basically (laughs). I kind of heard about it the competition in passing...I was actually Djing at the venue on another night when I asked to take part.

The organisers told me that someone had dropped out so there was a spare slot. I like to think that I’m not a big headed person, I do have my flaws, but I am aware of my strengths. I didn’t expect to win when I entered, but I thought that I had a pretty good chance.

How has the Birmingham music scene influ-enced what you play?

I grew up in Birmingham so I have always listened to lots of different kinds of music. I’ve played with bands on top of my DJing, so I know that end of the scene as well. I played and scratched records for many years with a band called Misty’s Big Adventure. I played a lot

of gigs in Birmingham with them. I was involved with a collective called Munch Break as well, I rapped along-side a live band.

I’m also influenced by the rave culture here in Birming-ham, I listen to drum n bass, not to mention the reggae nights held here. All of that has helped influence my sound as an artist right now. I am a Hip Hop DJ, yet I play and listen to a wide range of music that comes out of the city. Specifically with Djing I am influenced by Hip Hop pioneers like Q-bert and my friend, DJ Switch.

How did you feel when you found out you had won the competition?

I was pleased. I thought I would do well, but it was close on the night. The standard of the three DJ’sin the final was strong. All three of us did two half hour sets each to determine the winner. A fewthings went in my favour on the night , what I had

planned came off pretty well. I played last after theother two DJ’s, so that was a big help. I was really anxious just before they called out the winner, but I thought in the back of my mind that I had done


dj feva aka mel birkill

Interviews

everything I set out to do and I had done it well.

What other venues in Birmingham have you played at recently?

I’ve played pretty much all over Birmingham in the years that I have been Djing. I could read you out a long list of all those venues, but recently the ones that stand out are Suki10c and PST.

I had a residency at a night at PST. I also like to play at The Bull’s Head and the Hare and Hounds in Moseley and Kings Heath respectively. I haven’t played at Spot-light yet, that’s a venue I would be interested in playing at some time in the future. I am also taking part in a couple of nights called Jam Hott at The Bulls Head and the other is called Brum Town Presents at Suki10c.

How do you intend on spending the Prize Money?

The prize was split. I won £500 cash and the other £500 was in vouchers. The cash kind of just just went on a really nice Christmas and I still have the vouch-ers for the DJ Tech Tools shop in the Custard Factory. I want to buy a Rain mixer from the shop, but the one I want is not in production any more. I’ve had my eye on this expensive bit of kit for a while now. Once they have tracked one down I will buy it. I’m really looking forward to having a new piece of kit.

Do you mix on Vinyl, CD or Laptop?

I used vinyl exclusivly for 16-17 years without ever touching anything else. Now the technology has caught up and I am currently using Serato. I can DJ with other

setups but I always want to have two Technics and a

mixer in front of me. Serato allows me to do this. For me Serato is the best of both worlds. I can still use my turntables but can also get any music I want digitally. It saves a lot of back strain not carrying records around. That came in especially useful for a five hour set I recently played at the Yardbird Jazz Club.

There are so many practical benefits storing your music digitally, for example as a Hip Hop DJ it is good to have two tracks of the same record. This can be done easily with digital files, it saves my having to spend my money on two records of everything.

What future plans, projects and collaborations you are involved in?

I think I mentioned Munch Break before, that was a collective of 25 musicians playing in Birmingham. We started about 12 years ago and now that has developed into a 10 piece funk/Hip Hop band. We tend to revive the project every now and again.

I was also given the opportunity to do Espirito de Brum last year, we also...went out to Brazil where I met some talented musicians. We were involved in a collabora-tion with a Brazilian artist that go by the name of The Kimodo Dragons.

They came over to the UK in September and I had the honour of Djing alongside them. We also try and remix each others tracks. I would love to get back to Brazil again this year to do more work with the group. I’m always up for trying new things and seeing where my music takes me.

Writer: James Wootton


PULSEWith their feet still firmly grounded despite worldwide acclaim,

including Grammy awards, iconic group Steel Pulse continues to

evolve

SCENE BIRMINGHAM grabbed a rare interview with two of Bir-

minghams hardest working muscicians Selwyn Brown an original

founding member, keyboard player and vocalist of Steel Pulse and

his brother Tony, now the lead singer of the Pulse Beat tribute act.

steel pulse

grammy award winning

Interview

Tell us about the early days of Steel Pulse?

Selwyn: Our parents came over in the fifties and lived in London before moving to Birmingham. We stayed with friends, the McQueen’s, who were already estab-lished here and had a property where we could live until we found our feet.

When we started, we rehearsed in Ronnie McQueen’s

bedroom later moving to David Hinds basement on Linwood Rd. We would all bring a record to the table, pick one and spend the week learning our parts…we were essentially a cover band.

As time went on, more friends and family would listen to us rehearse and gradually we realised that we might have something. David was at Art College and I was an insurance underwriter working out of The Rotunda inBirmingham. I would often arrive at the studio suited and booted. I remember our first paying gig was at The Crompton Arms, Handsworth. I think we got something like Twenty Pounds, which was quite a big deal for us back then!

Tony: I used to go to the gigs and watch from the crowd. One thing

that really struck me early on was the mix of all different people, from all nationalities enjoying themselves together

always a good vibe. I think reggae does that; it has a way of bringing people together.

What was it like playing on the punk circuit?

Selwyn: We were invited to play at the Vortex on Wardour Street, London amongst ten or so punk acts with the crowd jumping up on the stage, spitting and pogoing all over the place.

We had two front people back then so David and Michael Riley went onstage before our set and literally talked to the crowd explaining that we play reggae…we don’t mind pogoing and jumping on stage but the spitting thing we couldn’t work with.

Much to our amazement they didn’t spit…enjoyed our

show and cheered us off stage - when the next band came on the gobbing started again! There must have been a few people from the music press about as we hit the New Musical Express and Melody Makers front pages in the following editions. That’s how we crossed over, which kind of paved the way for other reggaebands.

You have a large UK fan base but are perhaps most popular in the US, Latin America and the Caribbean; why do you think this is?

Selwyn: We had a short spell touring with Bob Marley

The Police… got the opportunity to tour the US we were expecting to go with them but they decided against it at the last minute. We found out many years later…it was because we had similar music and they didn't want to risk the opening band being more popular!

“ “


steel pulse

Interview

mostly in England and Europe and had started touring the US/Canada) but when he passed away the music industry started to change.

Dancehall music was becoming more popular in the UK and we had to look for new audiences (we didn’t quite fit in). After three albums

for Island Records we started getting letters and phone calls from the USA.

Originally we shared live billing with The Police who were also on the punk circuit. They got the opportunity to tour the US we expected to go with them but they decided against it last minute. We found out many years later when we bumped into Sting that it was because we had similar music and they didn’t want to risk the opening band being more popular!

How did Pulse Beat come about?

Tony: We thought it was a good idea to get together and pay tribute to Steel Pulse. We touch on some of the old tunes but a lot of the numbers have been brought up to date and we’ve changed some lyrics to make them more relevant to present day. For the last couple of months we’ve been in the studio recording our ownmaterial for release in the New Year so we really want the band to have its own identity.

What are your plans for Pulse Beat in the future?

Selwyn: I’ve just built a reggae track for a young lady by the name of Lauren Price; she has a great R&B voice and one to watch out for in the future.

I’ve also recently done a little cameo spot (Reach For The Sky) with a talented rap artist by the name of Wizi, the music was composed by my son Joshua aka ‘Ijosone Light’ and together they have been producing some quality music.

Plus I recorded a track with my other son Jason aka ‘Tayla Made’ (Searching for an answer) which will be released soon.

With things heading in the right direction, part of my vision is seeing Pulse Beat playing out live and being able to showcase some of these up and coming artists at future shows.

Steel Pulse is currently touring America and Pulse Beat will be releasing tour dates later this year.

Writer: Eric Joseph


Join the boys for an exclusive DJ Set

Five Rivers Launch Party| Five Riverswww.thefiveriversgroup.co.ukPhotography by Studio Four Photography


SceneBirmingham.co.uk

. . . U Want It Celebrates 7 years...

This May @ Bushwackers Birmingham


SPIN Saturdays Launch Party | BambuSat 26th Jan 2013New weekly event at Bambu Birmingham.Photography by Wayne Parry Photoswww.wayneparry.co.uk


WHYT

The Birmingham underground music scene has long provided a

platform for up and coming artists and producers; boasting a long

line of talent from house legend Steve Lawler to breakthrough

artist Subb-an. Forward thinking clubs such as The Rainbow and

Lab11 in Birmingham’s Digbeth district, have flown the flag for

underground artists and helped quench the ever-growing thirst fo

r

underground electronic music.

But the latest Midland-based powerhouse to take their sound to

new international heights comes in the form of techno duo WHYT

NOYZ. Formed in 2010, life long friends, David Sidley and Dun-

can Murray joined forces to create a unique style that has since

received backing from some of electronic music’s biggest names,

including Dubfire, Richie Hawtin and Pan-Pot.

2012 saw this support come to fruition as the guys had tracks

signed by both Richie Hawtin’s Minus12 label and Dubfire’s

SCI+TEC.

We caught up with the boys to see what new

horizons they plan to conquer in 2013.

whyt noyz

Underground sound

Interviews

What was it that initially introduced you to electronic music and DJ culture?

Duncan: I first discovered a love for electronic music around the time when Rhythm is a Dancer was at No 1. I still remember it vividly and I used to love all of the rave tunes. I was obsessed with The Prodigy and would listen to the old Fantasia tape packs on repeat.

Then as I got older I2 had my first proper clubbing experience at Bakers and remember Delerium - Silence going off as clear as day, that developed into becoming a full on hard house nut at Sundissential every week to then coming out of my honeymoon period and finding a love for house that has stuck with me ever since.

I was lucky enough to start playing at a lot of parties around the city and became a resident for Godskitch-en, which was a dream come true. I had an amazing time playing for Gods but I kind of lost my passion for electronic music around 5 years ago when the whole electro and fidget scene was kicking off but then rediscovered it in a big way soon after by moving to London. It opened my eyes and ears and was the catalyst for me to start producing properly and was instrumental in starting to make music with Sidders.

David: It was a collaboration between a bunch of gen-res for me, I used to listen to old funk and disco

growing up as a kid. My father was always into rock n roll he played in bands from a young age as a keyboard player and my mother always use to play music at home. I grew from listening to Disco and Funk music to House music. I listened to every different genre of House back then but the one’s that stick out were Hard House and Trance just because of the scenes at that time. I used to go to big super clubs like Air in Birmingham back when it was Code, funny when I look back because I couldn’t listen to that stuff anymore but it must have hit a switch in my head to make me think about becoming a DJ.

You’re first big break came when you were featured on Richie Hawtin’s New Horizons cover mount CD for Mixmag, how do you feel this connection with Richie and Minus has helped to develop your careers as artists?

Duncan: Richie is one of the most influential figures in electronic music so to have him support us has defi-nitely given us a huge boost. It gave us the confidence to believe in our music and want to keep pushing and put as much work into our productions and careers as possible. The release of Volcano on the New Horizons CD really helped us to start developing a fan base that we could communicate with across the social networks. We love talking to our fans and...when people write to us and tell us how much they love what we are doing.

Richie kept supporting our music throughout 2012 and one track in particular titled Meh Meh was ever present in a lot of his sets including his hot mix on Pete Tongs Radio 1 show. We will always be grateful for the early help and support that he provided us with. We will also be eternally grateful to him for introducing us to the delights of Sake but maybe not the hangovers!

Tell us about your studio set up and how this has evolved since you started out two years ago?

David: Two years ago it was merely an idea, so as you can imagine we had pretty standard home built studios. I don’t even think I had decent monitors?

I was running an iMac with an audio interface and Wharfdale speakers using Ableton Live 5 and that was it! When we decided to begin producing seriously I stripped a whole bedroom out at my Mom and Dad’s house and completely sound proofed it with bass traps, rear panel diffusers, the lot! I bought a MacPro and some big Genelec monitors with a subwoofer as well as outboard gear like a MicroKorg, mics, keyboards, and a bunch of midi controllers like Native Instrument’s Maschine and the Evolution uc33 just so we can jam a lot of stuff on the fly when we record.

Dunc also bought a studio and filled it with equipment. His best purchase has to be the Event Opal speakers, the best sounding speakers we have ever heard. I think one of the things that has helped us be more creative is in fact being in separate studios, this allows us to work on ideas and send them over to the other person to see if any changes need making without being on top of each other.

As we’ve already mentioned, you have recent-ly been signed to Dubfire’s label SCI+TEC, how did this come about?

Richie invited us to his night Enter at Space in Ibiza inSeptember last year. We flew out and stayed with our favourite dutchman Joran Van Pol whose track was also released on the New Horizons compilation. A couple of months prior to the trip to Ibiza Joran had introduced us to Dubfire and I started sending him some of our demos. We didn’t hear back from him so presumed they were not quite right. Before going to Enter we had been fortunate to be invited to Ibiza Global Radio

where Richie and Dubfire where playing. It was incredible to see them playing in such a small space, once they had finished Joran introduced us to Ali and we had a good chat. He gave us a lot of great feedback and explained he thought our tracks

were almost there but not quite. He joked that he was giving us a homework to go and listen to Riccardo Villalobos as we would benefit from hearing how his minimal style that focussed on the drums and bass worked so well in big clubs. We then went to Enter and had an incredible night and were blown away by the music overall but both loved Dubfire’s style and the way he played. We came back from Ibiza feeling really inspired and wrote two tracks particularly for Dubfire. One of which we cheekily titled Homewurk. Fortunately it paid off, he


He tweeted to say we had definitely been doing our Homework and a few weeks later we signed the track along with Jack Tha Box to SCI+TEC. To say this was a dream come true is an understatement but it definitely proves that if you stay determined and focussed any-thing is possible.

5. You had your first international gig at Stu-dio 80 in Amsterdam last year, can you tell us a bit about this experience.

David: Studio 80 is such an amazing club, baring in mind that place can only hold around 300/350 people, the place goes off! It was insane playing our music and feeling that crazy Dutch energy from the crowd! To be honest Amsterdam as a place blew us away, so much culture in the city and so many cool parties and people. It was also ADE week so I am sure that added some fuel to the fire.

We had some great meetings over there and it’s thanks to our friend Joran Von Pol, who also featured on Richie’s New Horizons CD, for helping us with the booking for Rebellion at Studio 80. There are too many highlights from that week...we met up with Dubfire and the SCI+TEC gang. We went to a club called Trouw which was an old paper mill converted into one of the coolest venues we have ever set foot inside.

We played a separate gig for Rebellion Radio live from studio 80 on the Friday night before going to Awaken-ings at Gashouder which was inspiring to say the least, what a club!

6. Bringing the focus back to your hometown, what parties have you been involved in and how are you planning to bring Whyt Noyz to the Birmingham techno scene in 2013?

Duncan: We have played some wicked gigs for Face at The Rainbow and are always really impressed with the whole team there and what in general they are doing for the city. The music policy is so diverse and they are always bringing amazing artists to the city with lineups that any part of the country would be hard pushed to beat. TRMNL at Lab 11 is also one of our favourite nights. We had an amazing night there watching Nic Fanculli not too long ago and the parties there will be incredible in the summer with that terrace!

We are so busy at the moment getting music together for new releases that we have planned but we are really excited about the prospect of launching our own night that focuses on techno, allowing us to bring art-ists that we love to the city. We also hope to continue playing for Face and are very eager to play on that dangerous system at Lab 11!

7. As we’ve said you’ve received a lot of atten-tion from the likes of Dubfire and Richie

Hawtin, but who else has supported you over the last couple of years?

David: We have found out that Carlo Lio who is one of our favourite producers has been supporting our tracks as well as Octopus label owner Sian. Thanks to youtube we found Techno duo Pan-Pot hammered our release of Volcano over the summer so now we send them new music and they continue to support us. To get support from such pioneers in our scene it is a humbling feel-ing and if anything, it makes us hungrier to write music to go mental to!

8. Looking ahead what do you have planned for the future in terms of releases and your own musical development?

Duncan: We have our first E.P coming out on Dubfire’s label SCI+TEC in March and we have a multi single L.P coming out on another one of our favourite labels Octopus, which is run by an amazing producer called Sian. We are hoping to schedule this for April. We then have more music signed to follow that but we have to be a bit hush hush on that for now.

We recently launched our own blog called NOYZ which you can check out at http://noyzaudio.com The blog al-lows us to review music that we love and invite artists to do interviews and podcasts. We have already been lucky enough to interview some of our heroes including Reset Robot and Sian, We also have a label spotlight coming up for Carlo Lio’s Rawthentic which we are really excited about. NOYZ will also be the name of our label that we hope to launch this year and I am guessing you will be able to predict what our event might be called! All of these things support what we are trying to do as artists and although it takes up a lot of time and investment it feels amazing to be putting something back in to the scene that we love.

We are also working on migrating our DJ setup from CDJs to Traktor at the moment but we are planning to integrate many controllers such as Maschine to really provide a unique show when people come to see us play live.

9. Production can consume a lot of time but what are your interests outside of making music?

What advice would I give myself a few years ago it would be, don’t rush. Concentrate on the things that translate in a club, kick and bass.

“ “


David: We both stay extremely active, training around 5 to 6 times a week each, it is good to break up the day this way and I feel it is like a reset button on your mind,. If you’re not feeling creative or the day is stressing you out then by simply exercising it erases any bullshit floating around your head and tends to puts things into perspective! Might sound crazy but it is true. I train a lot of CrossFit at the gym and I love MMA specifically the UFC, I love watching old fights and researching all about the sport. Seriously, I am a fan-boy, ask me anything! Other than that we are both really family orientated and spend any spare time with friends and listening to as much music as possible.

10. What advice would you give to up and coming producers?

Duncan: Practise makes Perfect! Its very easy to get your hands on music software now and quickly put a track together but in my opinion too many new produc-ers rush to put there music out there, on Soundcloud, Beatport etc. I personally feel its better to wait and really learn your craft and create a sound that is unique and then start pushing your music.

First impressions really count and its more difficult than ever to be noticed, so you have to make sure when people hear you for the first time you make a state-ment. I would also say try and focus on a few pieces of equipment or software rather than be tempted to

download all of the new latest plugins thinking that is the answer. We have been guilty of that, but it ends up being counter productive. Test your music out on your friends and try and get their honest opinions before sending them to DJs and producers etc.

Most importantly have fun. Sometimes its easy to get bogged down in politics and feel dejected if your music is not progressing as quickly as you would like. The point of being involved in music is doing something that you love so its important to remember that and don’t take it too seriously...world peace an all that!

David: Funny, we still see ourselves as up and coming but I suppose if the question was what advice would I give myself a few years ago it would be, don’t rush. Concentrate on the things that translate in a club, kick and bass. Also I think it was Kenny Larkin who once said something along the lines of...‘make every track by putting 100% effort into it, anything less and it is a waste of time.’

Any up and coming producers can easily be surprised, the music you are making now may not necessarily be the music you will one day release. Keep that in mind and let this allow you to experiment with sound.

Writer: Sophia Blakey


theclubandspa, The Cube, Mailbox District, Birmingham, B1 1RN t 0121 643 2200 e [email protected]

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Birmingham’s e

xclusive club & sp

a

Interviews

theclubandspa


Interviews

theclubandspaTheclubandspa is encouraging all of its members, staff and guests to strengthen your resolution for 2013. Whether it be to attend more classes, shed a few pounds or just get the most out of their membership, the Gym and Spa teams are committed to making sure that everyone has the correct motivation to complete their resolution.

To see what resolutions have been made, failed and re-made and to make yours, head towww.facebook.com/the-club-and-spa-bir-mingham

If you haven’t yet visited theclubandspa at The Cube then make sure it’s on your 2013 ‘bucket list’. As Birmingham’s only 5* club and spa - it’s a must visit. Where else can you expect luxury, pampering and that all important serenity in the heart of the City Centre? From the moment you walk into The Spa you will be taken on an incredible sensory journey, from mind and body balancing to water and thermal experiences. Your visit will be unique to you, no two people experience the same day at our health Spa as each journey is tailored to your specific needs and desires. Using only the finest Pevonia and Elemis beautyproducts, guests are transported away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city outside into a secret world, underneath the canal side bars and shops, where solace can be found in one of the many treatment rooms, each individually designed to offer the finest experience possible. Whether you want to take a dip in the vitality pool, sweat out your Christmas excess in the Bio Sauna or just drift off in our cocoon relaxation area, there is no end to the calm feeling and deliciousness that will ooze out of every pore. Mud treatments that soothe and enrich, salt treatments that enliven and cleanse and deep massages that re-energise and reawaken your body are all available.

For the more active, there is the Milon Fitness Lounge, where you can circuit train in just 25 minutes, The Soul Space where Yoga and Pilates sessions are available and the amazing Urban Room where classes such as “Abs Blast”, “Body Attack” and “Bootcamp” There is so much more on offer than that though; a Laurent Perrier Champagne Nail Bar, a Canal-Side Lounge with an amazing range of food, drink and af-ternoon teas, a climbing wall for when adventure gets the better of you and of course the state of the art gym which provides all of the latest kit your workout could ever need.


To make the most of your visit, we have put together some packages for special occasions; Birthday’s or Romantic treats Mr and Mrs spa day £70 per couple Your day will consist of a full day at the spa, with access to all of the spa facilities, this includes our steam room, saunas and pool. A light spa lunch is also included. *Discounts will be offered on additional treatments Muddy Marvellous £89 per couple This spa day consists of our popular Rasul mud treatment. This is your own private steam room, with treatment muds and salts that you apply to each other! Slather, douse and rub the invigorating mud all over each other and then wash it all off! What a perfect afternoon with you and your loved one. Your day will also consist of full access to all of the spa facilities, this includes our steam room, saunas and pool. *Discounts will be offered on additional treatments Mother’s day Mother and daughter spa day £99 per couple Your day will also consist of full access to all of the spa facilities, this includes our steam room, saunas and pool, with an Elemis lime and ginger body scrub or an Elemis taster facial each and a light spa lunch *Discounts will be offered on additional treatments Mother’s day Champagne nail bar experience £59 per person This is the ultimate in pampering .You will have full access to the spa where you can enjoy full use of its steam room, saunas and pool and will also receive an everlasting shellac file and paint with a glass of champagne *Discounts will be offered on additional treatments To take advantage of these exclusive packages, or just to book yourself in for a day of luxury, please call 0121 643 2200. All offers are subject to availability. Plus don’t forget that you can use your SCENE card to receive a* VIP Day Pass for 1 person worth £45 availa-ble anytime throughout March and April 2013 (*T&C’s apply – booking essential) And make sure you follow TheClubAndSpa on twitter(@theclubandspa1) and Facebook(club-and-spa-birmingham) for more deals and offers.


hallmark

hallmark

relax, dine, sp

a & rest

the

of a good time

review

Visit

With more than 500 listed buildings representing Roman, mediaeval, Tudor, Saxon and Norman influence, few towns can boast to having preserved so much history.

Dominating the Gloucester skyline like a protector on high, Gloucester Cathedral tower is visible for miles around. With the original foundations being that of an abbey that was dedicated to St Peter in 681, the cathedral has a long and distinguished history and is the burial place for royalty and the aristocracy from centuries past.

It is at once an ancient, awe-inspiring and a beau-tifully tranquil place to visit, and a must see. As one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in the country, the Cathedral attracts visitors from the world over interested in history, architecture and even in recent times Harry Potter, as many of the Cathedral’s alleys were used in the famous film franchise.

Sit in the Cloister Garth and enjoy the serene atmosphere, whiling away the hours reading,

writing or just sitting. Or bask in the stunning array of colours produced by the spectacular stained glass windows that feature frequently throughout the cathe-dral but are best admired in the Nave. Take a moment though to experience the

exquisite gothic detail of the Quire, which is truly breath taking or walk along the Lavatorium and pre-tend to be a student at Hogwarts.

Ensure to make time also for the historic dock area that lead to Gloucester being given port status by Elizabeth I in 1580, making Gloucester the most inland port in the country and well and truly putting it on the map.

Today, the docks still represent a thriving industry for the town along with a must see for visitors with an array of maritime museums, whilst visitors can watch skilled shipwrights and riggers repairing, restoring and building traditional ships and rigging all year round.

The docks have embraced cosmopolitan life and are a sanctuary for a great many bars, restaurants and coffee houses, all nestled peacefully amongst museums and antique shops and forming a new chapter in the docks’ maritime heritage.

Where to stay?

Less than ten minutes down the road from the Cathe-dral and 15 minutes from the docks sits the Hallmark Hotel & Spa. The 95-room hotel has been recently renovated to provide modern accommodation during your stay.

Just over an hour away from Birmingham city centre is the historic town of Gloucester, Gloucestershire. Dating back to the Roman period, the town has seen many changes since it’s inception in 97 AD, but it has man-aged to retain much of this heritage from the different era’s that have shaped it.


The 4 star rooms are spacious and eloquently decorat-ed, providing a resting place after a hard days explo-ration and features mod cons such as a flat screen TV and Wi-Fi access throughout the entire hotel.

If that’s not relaxing enough, head down to the pool area for a swim, or languish in the sauna or steam rooms and let the healing properties of both rein-vigorate weary muscles. For those that still have an abundance of energy, check out the well equipped gym with a host of resistance and cardio-vascular kit or part take in a game of squash, as the hotel has its very own squash court.

Still struggling to relax? Never fear, as the hotel has a number of treatments available in the spa area where you can get everything from a facial, manicure and pedicure to a full body massage. Try the hot stone mas-sage combining traditional massage with the soothing power of heat, which, after walking most of the day, was the best way to unwind.

Most packages do not include an evening meal although if you are there for a couple of days I would certainly recommend the brasserie menu as it has a great selection.

However, if your trip is a short one then venture out for the evening, as there is a plethora of award winning eateries to cater to all tastes and appetites within the town along with more than a few watering holes. Gloucester’s heritage and atmospheremakes it truly unique.

With so many different styles bundled into one place you would image that the conflicting designs would juxtapose with one another. However, this merely adds to the charm of the town and is something I would much like to enjoy again in the summer months.

Facts

Gloucester and the Hallmark hotel are between 1-1.30hr from the centre of Birmingham. The hotel is 2 miles from the city centre and 5 minutes from the M5Hotel packages start from £49.50 per person includ-ing breakfast and treatment or local outing, based on two people sharing – single supplement available for an additional £20. Thinking of treating your mom this Mothers Day? Well, there is a special three-course Mothers Day lunch taking place on March the 10th

Gloucestershire Cathedral does not charge and entry fee but asks that adult visitors make a £5.00 donation. Interested in taking pictures? Then a picture pass can be purchased in the gift shop allowing you to snap away to your hearts content

hallmark 44 SceneBirmingham.co.uk


Justice Willia

msMBE

business

woman and editor in

chief of c

ity & style m

agazine

interview

Justice Williams is an inspirational figure within the Birmingham community. Rising to prominence following the award of an MBE, she is dedicated to showcasing the wealth of talented women Birmingham has to offer.

It’s been four years since you were awarded with an MBE, how has this achievement impacted your journey to success?It had a huge impact because what I spent the last seven years quietly in the background…suddenly I was thrust into the spotlight. I was happy to work with young people behind the scenes…but I didn’t like the feeling of being the centre of attention. Once I got my MBE, the media shifted from the work I was doing to more about me and who I was.

But just before I was awarded my MBE I was placed at 30 on the Birmingham Power 50, which was great recognition for a young female, when the list is usually weighed down with middle-aged men from the corpo-rate sector.

How does it feel to have made such a significant mark on Birmingham?That’s an interesting question because I never consid-ered myself as playing such a significant role in the city. I think Birmingham is a great city and as much as I have had offers to leave...if I do leave Birmingham, I’ll be leaving the country.

This has always been home and always will be. We have an amazing city and we need to do more to shout about how great the people and the city is as a whole.

Over the years you have been heavily involved in mentoring young women. Do you think the media showcases the best role models for young women?

Most definitely not and they would argue that that’s not their job, their job is to sell newspapers/magazines – it’s all a numbers game that’s about web hits, circula-tion and readership levels.

There needs to be more visible inspirational women but I don’t think we should look to the ‘glossies’ to do this. We have to start within our own community and build up locally, regionally and then nationally. We must create our own media and news outlets to change the industry.

Speaking of which, congratulations on the up-coming launch of City&Style, what will the magazine offer the people of Birmingham?City&Style magazine will be the only lifestyle maga-zine in the region dedicated solely to young women. Not only do we provide a platform for talent featuring inspirational women from the region, but also we run an internship and placement programme. We want to support and help more media students and creative individuals gain much needed work experience to secure employment, or even start their own business or social enterprise.

Our focus is more on what the region has to offer wom-en in the city who are doing great things. They deserve a platform to shine and that is what we aim to do and have meaningful conversations with our readers, dis-cussing social issues that affect young women.

When all a girl aspires to be is the next reality televi-sion star or own a pair of red bottoms (Louboutins) we have some serious problems in our society. There are plenty of amazing women out there but they don’t get the support or press coverage that they deserve.

You began volunteering within the local commu-nity at 14. How important do you think it is for young people to offer their time to good causes?

We have an amazing city and we need to do more to shout about how great the people and the city is as a whole.“ “


I think it is so important because you gain so many skills that come in handy later in life. You can find something that interests you and get involved on a local or national level.

There are always great organisations looking for sup-port from young people. I was lucky because my mom used to run projects for young people…I remember Jamelia attending one of my mom’s projects and Gavin Douglas used to help his family out on their play-scheme and has gone on to become a world renowned fashion designer. Volunteering and being creative at a young age…helps to give you a sense of purpose and direction.

What are three things that you have learnt on your entrepreneurial journey so far?There is no I in TEAM and team-work will make the dream work.

You must give in order to receive. Whether it’s an hour of your time, donations to charity, referring a client or sharing a contact, when you are helpful to others they usually reciprocate it.

Your network is your net-worth. The reality is it’s all about who you know and not what you know. If you know the right people, you can make the right connec-tions you need to help you succeed.

If you had the chance to spend a day in the life of any businessperson in the world, who would it be and why?Definitely Richard Branson, his book Screw it Let’s do It was one of the first business books that I read. He has built an amazing empire whilst still helping people succeed along the way. He is very down to earth and supportive of young people and helping them to succeed.

To find out more about Justice head to www.justicewilliams.co.uk and formore on the awards which takeplace on the 9th Novembergo to...

www.cityandstyleawards.co.uk.

Written by Talisha Johnson

There is more to life than fashion and reality television and I think the mainstream media spend too much time shoving these in the face of women.

“ “

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FOUNDBirmingham has long had a rich bar heritage stemming back to 1368

when The Old Crown, Digbeth, first opened its doors to passing travellers

and market traders. Over the years bars have come and gone, but the

plethora of watering holes means that there is, and always will be,

something to cater for all tastes.

Equally however, this abundance makes success a daunting proposition for

any new comer as they attempt to establish themselves amongst the volley

of competition. Some have favoured the ‘theme’ approach in order to carve a

niche in the market. However, the stigma of a ‘theme bar’ can often be detri-

mental to reputations if done half-heartedly, ultimately doing more damage

than good. Fortunately, The Lost & Found in Bennetts Hill has managed

to tackle the ‘theme bar’ issue head on, creating a

Victorian experimental apothecary that is deca-

adent and deliciously enticing.


Punctuated throughout by the legend of Professor H.G Watson (or Hettie as she is fondly referred to), every aspect of the design and ethos of the Grade II listed establishment has been designed in homage to the great explorer of the Victorian

era, who searched the world discovering new breeds of plants and flowers hiding them in her secret hideaway.

Stepping through the grand wooden doors, one can’t help but feel as though one has been transported back in time or become part of some grand gothic novel the likes of Jekyll & Hyde. The harlequin patterned floor weaves snake like around the lower floor, interrupted by oak and original parkay flooring that segments the separate eating and drinking areas.

Immediately you get the impression that this is a feast for all the senses as the air is filled with the sweet allure of the cocktail ingredients and the leather fur-niture. The walls are covered with character wallpaper depicting old trunk cases and a huge floor to ceiling botanical library with dimly lit library lamps along the

long tables, designed to give you the sense of being in the very grandest of private libraries.

Vines cascade down the walls and at every turn, intri-cate design touches have been made that continually peak your interest throughout your evening; from the top and bowler hat light fittings to the chandeliers made from crystal decanters and the scattered bird cages – each is at once out of place and yet perfectly in sync. That’s your sense of smell and sight covered but what about the taste? Fortunately, the Lost & Found has an extensive menu to choose from and once you have seated yourself in the lavish leather booths or in the oversized floral chairs you can start to think about the delights ahead.

With a series of flatbreads, sharing platters, starters and light bites on the menu there is something to cater for everyone’s taste for the first course. Beginning with the seafood platter, the style is evidently reaches beyond the decor and to your plates, as thick wooden boards harbor delicate pots and jars of food.

Consisting of crayfish tails, salmon goujons, potted crab, smoked salmon, along with grilled scallop salad and brown bread – this is not a dish to tackle by yourself.

The mixture of textures offers you something differ-ent with every bite from the subtle resistance of the crayfish to the smooth bold flavours of the smoked salmon. A particular favourite though was the potted crab with it sweet sapidity and light texture - it leaves you wanting more.

To accompany the fish you want to have a white wine, as the fruity flavours enhance rather than over-bear the delicate taste of the platter. Try the Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand, with its light palate and leasing herbaceous thread that leads to a long linger-ing finish – it’s the perfect accompaniment to fish. The mains are possibly a little more limited than the starters but, nonetheless, still have enough selection to cater for everyone. Having had fish for the starter I craved meat and went for the 8oz rib eye and béarnaise sauce. Served in a deep-set metal dish, this is per-haps the only time that style comes at the expense of practicality, as the steep edges mean you have to angle steeply in order to get to the steak.

A minor inconvenience, for once you have navigated the edges the meat is succulent and perfectly cooked to your liking. Purists will ignore the sauce however; the deliciously creamy yet tangy sauce (used sparing-ly) invigorates your already stimulated pallet offering additional dimensions to the course.

The main easily has the potential to be a fitting end to an indulgent evening but no decadence would be complete without part-taking in a dessert and Hetties’ puddings are a must try. The almond crumble made of cox apples truly put paid to a wondrous evening.

One final thing, although we have been sworn to secre-cy, ensure to ask what’s behind the bookcase and you might just find where Hettie has been hiding her flowers, along with one of the most stunning rooms I

have ever seen in a bar which left me slightly mourn-ful that such extravagance has been lost to the world. But with the arrival of Lost & Found, thankfully some semblance of this lost world has been retained.

To find out more got to www.the-Lostandfound.co.uk

Writer: Lee Hall

Vines cascade down the walls and at every turn, intricate design touches have been made that continually peak your interest throughout your evening; from the top and bowler hat light fittings to the chandeliers made from crystal decanters and the scattered bird cages...

Vines cascade down the walls and at every turn, intricate design touches have been made that continually peak your interest throughout your evening; from the top and bowler hat light fittings to the chandeliers made from crystal decanters and the scattered bird cages...

“ “

FASHION

frock on vintage

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ve

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H A V E Y O U B E E N

I N

frock on vintage

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I N

Director of Frock On Vintage Pam Cheema is a

n innovative fashion stylist

whose creative visio

n combines street so

phistication with

vintage accents. T

he collection of cl

othing she uses fo

r her styling is s

tocked in Topshop and at her appointment only studio. Pam has

worked as a stylist

for various diffe

rent celebriti

es, corporate companies and campaigns. R

ecent examples of projects inclu

de styling

Music Artis

t Tinie Tempah, Nicola Roberts,

The Radio 1/1xtra Production team and the band ‘Chasin

g Grace’ who are signed to

Warner Records. She has also

styled Kerrang! DJ Kate Lawler, B

ig Brothers Bit O

n The Side presenter Alice Levine and models f

or a

Toni and Guy campaign with the European Creative Directo

r Nick Irw

in.

T

he great advantage of Pam running her own Vintage brand is that sh

e has insta

nt access t

o over 600 garments at any

one tim

e. Whilst

she does h

ave lots of ‘w

ow’ out there pieces, th

e majority of th

e collection does n

ot necessarily

look

obviously ‘vintage’. Pam ch

erry pick’s a

ll garments a

nd is very c

onscious of cu

rrent tr

ends to ensure that th

e

b

rand is acce

ssible to individuals o

f all diffe

rent age groups and backgrounds. Her st

yling is not ju

st

limited to females b

ut males to

o!

For m

ore information about Frock On Vintage or to book an appointment

(S

ee Studio section for in

fo) visit www.fro

ckonvintage.co.uk.

You can also follow the brand on tw

itter @

frockonvintage1

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e

R E B E C C A F R A N C E SM A K E - U P A R T I S T

It is a true luxury to have your makeup done by a professional on one of the most memorable days of your life, so indulge yourself in what will be an experience you will never forget.

Rebecca recognises that every bride has a vision of how they desire to look for their wedding and it is a pleasure for her to offer a bespoke service to create that flawless look to ensure that you look as special on the outside as you feel on the inside.

IS ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL DAYS OF YOUR LIFE, AND AS THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION YOU WILL WANT TO LOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST.

Your wedding day

contact Rebecca at

Web: www.rebeccafrances.com Email: [email protected]: 07969 128 341

MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2009MAKEUP SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR 2011

Make-Up: Rebecca Frances . Nails & Words: Ami Streets . Hair: Lisa Farrall . Model: Micky Sass @ Models1 . Photography: Garazi

beauty

Eyeliner goes graphic – get creative with geometric shapes offset against an on-trend outline manicure

This season beauty is all about detail. Sharp catwalk collections prompted a suitably strong makeup look with dramatic eyeliner adding a modern edge. Featur-ing on the runway at Manish Arora and most notably Mary Katrantzou, backstage artists were inspired by Oriental precision in their imaginative application. The look is set to transition to next season with designers such as Daks and Dolce & Gabbana championing the liner trend for Spring.

Begin your own masterpiece with a blank canvas. MAC’s infamous paint pots work well as a primer creating seamless coverage. Inspired by the original art medium the acrylic ingredient ensures long-lasting colour - ‘Painterly’ is the perfect neutral tone. Ready to draw the line? Gel formulas replace classic liquid liner in durability – Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Liner glides on before drying to a smear-proof finish. Enhance your eye shape by applying along the upper and lower lash line before experimenting with anything from an exag-gerated feline flick to bold contouring in the crease of the eyelid. Finish by curling and coating lashes in Chanel Inim-itable Intense mascara and finally, frame eyes with emboldened brows. Tidy hairs before softly filling in sparse areas with the super slim Precision Brow Pencil by Kevyn Aucoin.

Keep focus on your feature design by perfecting a flawless yet natural face. Try an ultra-fine foundation formula like Giorgio Armani Maestro Fusion Makeup, which transforms from a hydrating liquid to a light matte finish and complement with the namesake concealer if more coverage is needed. Smooth and set your base with Jurlique Rose Silk setting powder – its translucency means it’s suitable for any skin tone and will keep makeup looking fresh all day. Choose a pretty peachy blush to add a flush of colour to cheeks, Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in ‘Calypso Coral’ is a multi-tasking cream that can also be blotted on to lips for a soft stain.

Nail Art has become the ultimate accessory to any beauty look but forget the theatrics, this season simplicity is key. Start with a dark statement polish shade - chic and transeasonal; Orly’s grey ‘Decoded’ is a great alternative to typical burgundy and black base colours – before adding an outline to emulate your eye make-up using Orly Instant Artist Striper in Jet Black. Seal with a high-shine topcoat for the finishing touch to a work of art any aspiring Picasso would be proud of.

Writer: Ami Streets______________________________________________________

R E B E C C A F R A N C E SM A K E - U P A R T I S T

It is a true luxury to have your makeup done by a professional on one of the most memorable days of your life, so indulge yourself in what will be an experience you will never forget.

Rebecca recognises that every bride has a vision of how they desire to look for their wedding and it is a pleasure for her to offer a bespoke service to create that flawless look to ensure that you look as special on the outside as you feel on the inside.

IS ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL DAYS OF YOUR LIFE, AND AS THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION YOU WILL WANT TO LOOK AND FEEL YOUR BEST.

Your wedding day

contact Rebecca at

Web: www.rebeccafrances.com Email: [email protected]: 07969 128 341

MAKEUP ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2009MAKEUP SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR 2011

Make-Up: Rebecca Frances . Nails & Words: Ami Streets. Hair: Lisa Farrall . Model: Anastasia G @ BOOKINGS Photography: Garazi

The Bold and the Beautiful

This spring inject bold colour into your make-up routine by focusing on feature eyes and nails. Be inspired by trend-forecasting colour company Pantone, who cited Nectarine and Monaco Blue as the official shades of the season.Referenced at many runway shows from Moschino to Roberto Cavalli, kohl liners were used in a multitude of colours. Choose M.A.C Chromagraphic pencil in Gen-uine Orange and contrast with ORLY Blue Collar nail lacquer to instantly brighten your beauty look

Y G I F T M O T H E R S D A Y

G U I D E

March is the month to celebrate those wonderful creatures that do so much for us…our mothers! With Mother’s day falling on the 10th March, Scene Birmingham has put together a little guide that will help to make Mother’s Day that little bit more special.

Competition

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Murad, the premium skincare brand, to give away the perfect gift for one lucky mother. Featuring luxurious ingredients, this at home miracle package will leave her feeling pampered and looking fantastic.Included in the prize package (worth over £160) are:

Renewing Cleansing Cream

Ag-Diffusing Firming Mask

Sheer Lustre Day Moisture

For more information and details on how to enter the competition, go to www.SceneBirmingham.co.uk and check out the competition page for this and more great competitions.www.Murad.co.uk

Mothers Day - Sunday 10th March

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Birmingham is renowned and celebrated for its multicultural heritage and population. One of the largest and most vibrant communities that reside in the city is the Irish contingent…and boy do they like a party!

Each year in March, Digbeth plays host to the St Patrick’s Day parade and festival aimed at celebrating the Irish culture that has left such an indelible mark on Birmingham’s history and society. This year, the parade itself will take place on St Patrick’s Day on Sunday 17 March 2013, whilst the festivities begin a week earlier with a launch at The Paragon hotel on Sat 9th March.

The chosen theme for festival is ‘The Gathering’, which encourages anyone of Irish descent to pay a visit back home to the county, town and/or village of their ancestry and discover more about who they and their family are.

Whilst being unmistakably Irish at the core, the Parade increasingly mir-rors the fantastic diversity of our ethnicities as we welcome guest appear-ances from other communities, serving to unite the people of Birmingham in celebration, which in these austere times, is sorely needed.

Promising something for everyone, the bright colours, festive music and great series of events mean that everyone, for a week at least, can experi-ence what it’s like to be part of the Irish community.

Festival HighlightsExperience some true Irish sporting culture with a trip to the GAA women’s Gaelic Camo-gie tournament at Holly Lane in Erdington on Saturday 9 March.

On the 11 March the Young Irish Gathering of music drama and dance will take place at The Custard Factory and on the 12 March there will be a literary evening at the Old Crown pub in Digbeth.An Irish whiskey tasting night hosted by Birmingham Whiskey Club will be at the Old Crown on 13 March and an Irish Craft Brewers Beer Festival at The Anchor Inn starting on 14 March.

Everyone knows the Irish likes a flutter every now and again, so why not indulge in a favorite Irish pastime with a visit to the races (on screen anyhow) at the Old Crown’s race night on 15 March before attending the calming and peaceful influence of the flower festival at St Anne’s on Saturday 16 March.

Finally after a week of festivities chill out at The Irish Film Festival hosted at The Spot-ted Dog on the 18th March.

paddy power

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ks day



The ParadeFeaturing for the first time this year will be the inaugural entry of the Central City Roller girls and South City Skate Crew. These battle hardened veterans of the combative roller derby circuit will be on hand to roll around the parade circuit – just don’t get in their way.

Throughout the parade the soundtrack to the festivities will be the pipe and drum bands that will be out in force including; The Presentation School Band - marching ahead of the Carlow association. Also in attendance will be The Castlerea Brass and Reed Band that will lead out the Roscommon association.

Leading the parade will be the charismatic St Patrick himself with his trademark finery ahead of a procession that is at once bizarre and a feat for all the senses to behold. Joining the parade from the East end of Glasgow will be the Tollcross Shamrock Flute Band, and those that enjoy an exotic tinge to traditional proceedings will be delighted to hear that The Dholblasters and Oya Batucada will be hammering their drums with gleeful vigour.

One of Birmingham’s finest creative institutions the CBSO will be represented by their community choir SoVocal who will be performing a paradesque dawn chorus prior to the start – at the Selfridges end of Digbeth.

Following the parade make a trip to the ever popular Irish Centre where you can be assured of a great craic, and from here you can visit The Emerald village, fun fair and hop to other local and welcoming hostelries.

The parade is organised by the St Patrick’s Festival Committee in partnership with Bir-mingham City Council.

For more information visit: www.stpatricksbirmingham.com

The FestivalSat March 9th MarchFestival Launch at The Paragon Hotel £5GAA women’s Gaelic camogie tournament 10.30 Holly Lane Erdington all day FREEMonday 11th MarchMusic Drama and Dance. Theatre Space Custard FactoryTuesday March 12thIrish Literary night hosted by Irish in Birmingham. Old Crown. FREEWednesday March 13thIrish Whisky tasting night hosted by Birmingham Whisky Club. Old Crown FREEThursday March 14thGoats Don’t Shave supported by the Father Teds Irish Centre £10 in advance £15 on the door.Irish Craft Brewers Beer Festival. The Anchor Inn (through to March 2oth). FREEFriday March 15thFundraising Race Night. Old Crown FREEFlower Festival St Anne’s through to Sunday 17th.Sunday March 17thMass St Anne’s 10amBirmingham St Patrick’s Parade. FREEMonday March 18thIrish Film Night Spotted Dog. FREE.


EVENT

Birmingham has a rich and musical heritage spawning some of the most influential bands on the planet from Black Sabbath to Led Zepplin, Durran Durran to UB40.

Whilst many may say that was the past, the recent success of bands such as Peace and Swim Deep, has turned the spotlight back on the Birmingham music scene,

leading to respected media renaming it ‘B-Town’ and NME referring to how Digbeth has been reborn

the ‘Shoreditch of Birmingham’.

With so many great arena’s and music venues throughout the region, it’s no wonder that

Birmingham is in the midst of a musical resur-gence. Here’s a selection of gigs and concerts that will help you get you through St. Patrick’s Day and the Easter

period!

March 2ndYellowcard - Kasbah, Coventry

San Cisco - The Institute – The TempleInsomnia - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

Amadou Diagne and Gris Sanderson - St Bartholomews Church, Coffinswell

Tall Ships - The Sunflower Lounge

March 5thSigur Ros - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

Lumiere - Hare & HoundsThe Virginmarys - Hare & Hounds

March 6thThe Darkness - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

FOALS

The indie rock/dance punk band from Oxford will be playing in Birmingham in March. Having been signed to Transgressive in the UK and Sub-Pop over in the US, the band have gone on to record three studio albums. ‘Holy Fire’ was released on February 11th, 2013 and reached two in the UK album charts. This tour should see the band play new material off this album, plus a few songs

from their other two albums.

The Institute, Birmingham. 6th March 2013. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets: sold out.

March 7thWilko Johnson - Robin 2, Bilston

Memories + Guests - The Slade Rooms, WolverhamptonStatus Quo - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

March 8thMY BLOODY VALENTINE

Alternative Irish rockers, My Bloody Valentine will be playing a much-anticipated gig in March after the re-lease of their long awaited new album, ‘MBV’. Despite only releasing three albums, My Bloody Valentine has

been rocking crowds with their dreamy sounds since 1978. This promises to be a legendary gig for the band

that will encapsulate the sound of their new album.

O2 Academy, Birmingham. 8Th March 2013. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets £27.50 plus booking fee.

March 9thHuey Morgan and The New Yorkers + Mike Marlin - The

Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton.

March 10thRaymond Froggatt - The Slade Rooms, WolverhamptonTommy Emmanuel and Martin Taylor - Robin 2, Bilston

Cancer Bats - InstituteDhoad Gypsies Of Rajastan - Hare & Hounds

March 11thThe Stranglers - The Assembly, Leamington Spa

ME - Kasbah, Coventry

March 12thRoddy Woomble - Glee Club

Wednesday 13 - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

March 13thStatus Quo - Civic Hall, WolverhamptonMarcus Malone Band - Hare & Hounds

UTC Presents- LAPALUX (Brainfeeder)

Under The Counter play host to Lapalux with their glitchy electronic sounds that have ensured they are one of Brainfeeder’s most recognised signings. There will be dancing and fun aplenty to be had at this mid-week gig.

Book early to avoid disappointment.

The Bulls Head, Moseley. 13Th March 2013. Doors open at 8.00pm. Tickets £5.00 plus booking fee.

March 15thIan Hunter - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

Kataleptic and Husk - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

Olivia Newton-John - NIA

March 16thThe Script - LG Arena

FM - The Slade Rooms, WolverhamptonThe Stranglers - 02 Academy

Stereophonics - Civic Hall, WolverhamptonThe Selecter - Robin 2, Bilston

JOHNNY MARR

Former co-song writer and lead guitarist of The Smiths, Johnny Marr, will be touring the country in March. The show will feature all Marr’s own material with ru-mours circulating that the gig will not have any Smiths songs in the set list. Fans can still expect an evening


guitar brilliance as one of the most well respected and celebrated musicians in the UK takes to the stage.

The Institute, Birmingham. 16Th March, 2013. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets £21.45 plus booking fee.

March 18thHeather Peace - Glee Club

March 20th2CELLOS - Glee Club

March 21stInspiral Carpets - 02 Academy 2

Biffy Clyro - LG ArenaSkunk Anansie - Civic Hall, WolverhamptonTheme Park – The Institute – The Temple

March 22ndOne Direction - LG Arena

Policia - The Institute – The TempleAlfie Boe - NIA

Willy Moon - Hare & Hounds

March 23rdOne Direction - LG Arena

Ghost + Gojira + The Defiled - 02 AcademyHarry George Johns - Inspire, Coventry

The BEAT - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

March 24thThe Red Jumpsuit Apparatus + Tantrum to Blind, Rat At-

tack & Page 44 - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

March 26thBlack Rebel Motorcycle Club - The Institute

EMELI SANDE

British soul and R&B songwriter and singer Emeli Sande, has been the undeniable success story of 2012 and looks to continue he meteoric ruse in 2013. From performances at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Lon-don Olympic Games to her debut album ‘Our Version of Events’ reaching number 1 in the UK album chart, going 5x platinum in the process, this promises to be one of

the gigs of the year.

O2 Academy, Birmingham. 26Th March 2013. Doors open at 7.00pm. Tickets £33.35

plus booking fee.

March 28thIan McNabb - Hare & Hounds

March 30thJameson Raid + Guests - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhamp-

ton

Shelter presents; Loxy - The Hare Hounds

EELS

American Lo-fi band, Eels will be touring the UK in March and will be paying us Brummies a visit by playing the O2 as part of their tour. Emerging in 1995 the band has recorded numerous studio albums and EP’s. ‘Won-derful, Glorious’, their latest studio album, will feature heavily in this worldwide tour interspersed with some of

their classic material.

O2 Academy, Birmingham. 30Th March 2013. Doors open at 7.00pm. Tickets £26.43 plus booking fee

March 31stThe Selecter - Auditorium at Ricoh Arena, Coventry

April 1stMapenda and Takander Group + DJs Pa Goree and Sowe

Pullo - Hare & Hounds

April 3rdLove/Hate- Blackout 2013 - The Slade Rooms, Wolver-

hampton

April 4thBuzzcocks - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

April 5thJohn Smith - Glee Club

JLS

The Hub

April 6thIron Maiden Night + Iron On Maiden – The Slade Rooms,

WolverhamptonSimple Minds - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

April 7thThe Wildhearts – Earth vs The Wildhearts – 20th Anni-

versary Show - Wulfrun Hall, WolverhamptonScott Matthews - Glee Club

King Charles - The Slade Rooms, WolverhamptonEric Johnson - Town Hall

April 8thEmmure + Chelsea Grin + Obey the Brave + Buried in

Verona - 02 Academy 2

April 10thStan Webb’s Chicken Shack - Hare & Hounds

April 12thMarillion Weekend UK 2013 - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton


THE FRATELLIS

Fresh from a lengthy hiatus, the famous indie rockers from Glasgow will be coming to Birmingham in April. 2013 will see the release of a third studio album yet to be named. After winning breakthrough solo act at the Brits in 2007, the band has gone on countless sell out tours that have received great critical acclaim. This tour

promises to be equally as much fun!

The Institute, Birmingham. 12Th April 2013. Doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets £18.00 plus booking fee


Il Divo & Katherine Jenkins - LG Arena


Don Broco - The Slade Rooms, WolverhamptonWild Willy Barrett’s French Connection - Kitchen Garden

Café

April 16thAstra + Purson - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

April 17thLower Than Atlantis - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

The Feeling - 02 Academy 2The Leisure Society - Glee Club

April 19thMatchbox Twenty - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

Wiley @ Institute – The Library

April 21stEdwyn Collins - Glee Club

Pere Ubu @ Robin 2, Bilston…And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead + Turbow-

olf - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

April 24thLOW - Glee Club

Frank Turner - 02 AcademyBig Country - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

April 25thJAMES + ECHO AND THE BUNNEYMEN

British rockers James and Liverpool’s finest, Echo and the Bunnymen, will join up for an unforgettable night of some of the best indie and post punk ever to be played

live.

O2 Academy, Birmingham. 25Th April 2013. Doors open at 7.00pm. Tickets £40.50 plus booking fee

April 26thSaxon - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton

Two Door Cinema Club - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

Lotte Mullan - Glee Club

April 27thPEACE

Peace need little introduction in Birmingham as a local act. But just in case you’re not sure who they are, Peace is an indie rock quartet formed in 2011 that is champi-oning the West Midlands music scene, racking up sig-nificant airtime on BBC Radio 6 thanks to debut single “Follow Baby”. Their first studio album ‘Wraith’ is set to be released on the 25th of March whilst the band has been nominated in the Sound of 2013 Poll. 2013 holds

great things for these local boys!

O2 Academy, Birmingham. 27Th April 2013. Doors open at 7.00pm. Tickets £8.00 plus booking fee.

Our favouite Scene Girl, Jess Slater, has gone through the listings of all the venues across Birmingham and picked out these great events across March and April that you don’t want to miss and caters to all tastes, pref-

erences and fancies!

Have an event and didn’t see it this time in Scene Bir-mingham? Then tweet your next one to @TheJessRab-

bit

We Love Saturdays Nuvo, Brindley Place, Birmingham

Saturdays: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd March, 6th, 13th, 20th April

Birmingham’s boutique cocktail bar & club host a week-ly Saturday night with resident DJs KBsides & Levi Bailey playing the best in Deep & Soulful House with Sidders on percussion. This is a guestlist only event; email [email protected] for your space and / or table

bookings.Entry: Free before 11pm, £5 after.

www.nuvobar.com

The Sunday Club Presents The Big CraicRainbow Venues, Digbeth, Birmingham,

Sunday 17th MarchSt Paddy’s Day see’s the return of The Sunday Clubs ‘Big Craic’. Expect all of the original Sunday Club residents laying down the party vibes this event has become known and loved for across the second city. DJs include Joe Hunt, Edd Cooke, Alex Parkin Tomola & more across the range of Rainbow venues, starting at 3pm running

right through to midnight! Tickets: £5

www.theticketsellers.co.uk

Face Warehouse RaveCustard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham

Good Friday 29th MarchFACE is back with a bang in 2013 with a series of All-nighter parties at the Rainbow venues. Good Friday


brings deep house doyenne Maya Jane Coles, pumping house duo Bicep, Aus boss Will Saul and close label as-sociate Midland. Running from 9pm until 6am, this is not for the faint hearted. Expect thriving, energetic crowds & party vibes at one of Birmingham’s freshest events.

Worship at the alter of the Rainbow!Tickets: £15

www.rainbowvenues.co.uk

CrystalNuvo, Brindley Place, Birmingham

Saturday 30th March & Saturday 27th AprilThe team at Nuvo has come up with a brand new con-cept taking place once a month that sees Residents KB-sides & Levi Bailey being joined by special guests DJs from different cities & percussionists. Expect fireworks!

Entry: Free before 10.30pm - £10 after. www.nuvobar.com

Sneaks & PeaksCustard Factory Warehouse, Gibb Street, Bir-

minghamSaturday 6th April

Sneaks&peaks is an exclusive sneaker & apparel day-time event, where traders from around the country de-scend upon Birmingham to sell rare, new releases & hard to find Kicks from the likes of Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Reebok and more. Also showcasing independent cloth-ing brands, from start up brands to labels smashing the street wear scene all set to an eclectic backdrop of mu-

sic from top DJs. Entry: Free

www.facebook.com/Sneaksandpeaks

Comedy Showdown: Slim Vs KaneGlee Club, Arcadian Centre, Birmingham

Sunday 28th AprilTwo of the UK’s heavyweight comedians come together for a night of comedy, jokes and banter. These two funny men pull no punches with their no-holds barred style and fast paced comedy all hosted by the fantastic Mr

Cee.Prepare for your eyes to water and your belly to ache at

a show that promises to be hilarious.Tickets: £15 + booking fee

www.glee.co.uk

SPIN SaturdaysBambu, Wrottesley Street, Birmingham

Weekly SaturdaysBirmingham’s iconic ‘SPIN’ brand has found a new home at Bambu; bringing its famously energetic crowd with it. Catch resident DJs Rue Jay, DJ Romea & DJ Mystery J playing House & RnB across 2 rooms with weekly

themes & guest DJ appearances. Entry: £8 before12, £10 after.

www.bambubar.co.uk

If Afterparty

Bushwackers, Edmund Street, BirminghamWeekly Saturdays

Birmingham’s most prolific afterparty brings the City a sophisticated, weekly house event with resident DJs KBsides, Dr Love, OneFour, JusSoul & more across the months of March & April. Kicking off at 1am and run-ning right through to 7am it’s an all-nighter for dedicat-ed partygoers. If you think 2.00am is late…think again!

Entry: £10www.ifafterparty.co.uk

China Red SaturdaysChina Red, Wrottesley Street, Birmingham

Newly refurbed ‘boutique’ nightclub China red brings a new weekly Saturday night with host brands Deluxe Par-ties & Certified PR putting on themed parties with spe-cial celebrity guests each week. The music policy boasts

the best in RnB, House & everything in between. Entry: £10 on guestlist.

www.chinaredbirmingham.com

The Mile High Club The Laurent Perrier Bar, 25th Floor, The Cube.

Weekly SaturdaysJoin The Mile High Club for a glittering evening at the UK’s first Laurent Perrier Champagne bar outside of the capital. Enjoy 360-degree views of the city whilst soak-ing up a great atmosphere sipping exclusive skyline cocktails with a House & Club Classics soundtrack. It’s a

hard life but someone has got to do it!Entry: Free - £10 Guestlist only

www.mpwsteakhousebirmingham.co.uk/cham-pagne-bar

Writtenby James Wootton &Jess Slater


‘‘New visitors to opera are always astounded how many of the tunes they already know - opera music is embedded in popular culture.’’

Don’t judge it

,

untill you’ve

read it...


Operais for eveyone

Part of the richness and diversity of Birmingham culture is the wealth of artistic mediums that are continually on display in many stunning venues throughout the city…including perhaps one of the most challenging of all these – Opera.

As award winning producer/director, Ellen Kent comes to town in March with her opera Carmen playing at the New Alexandra Theatre, she discusses what opera is and dispels some of the myths regarding the accessibil-ity of this enchanting artistic form.

Everyone who enjoys a good story, captivating music, a trip out to the theatre and an element of escapism will enjoy opera. Of course there are degrees of opera - just like music - from the easy listening variety to rock, and there are more intense, specialist shows for serious fans…my opera is the former, almost opera for beginners.

Anyone who enjoys a good show, perhaps in the genre of the best of musicals like Miss Saigon or Phantom of the Opera will appreciate my operas. I want to make opera understandable and enjoyable - people don’t go to be educated – they want a good night out, to have fun and to be taken on a journey that they are part of, not watching from the outside with a confused expres-sion on their face.

Most operas, especially the more populist and well-known ones, are simply fantastic stories - full of drama and passion. When the curtains open I want people to say ‘Wow!’, I want to do opera that people actually want

to see, that they can identify with, cry and feel moved by. My operas have to be emotional, beautiful and not minimalist – it’s traditional opera with a sexy feel.

The best opera directors take the audience on that story with them, making them feel the pain and the joy. Of course the music is key, because music is such a powerful medium and can transport people to a place within their imagination.

New visitors to opera are always astounded how many of the tunes they already know - opera music is embed-ded in popular culture. We see it every day on television adverts or used as the theme songs for sporting events or even as mobile phone ring tones.

Opera music has been around for generations and is always being sampled or updated for modern purpos-es. Hearing it as originally intended lends poignancy and allows the audience to appreciate the beauty of the music, although usually there is the comfort net of familiarity in many of the songs, which completely dispels the myth that opera is highbrow or only for a certain, perhaps older, generation. Understanding helps.

I always try to ensure the songs are performed in their original language - on this tour that’s French for Car-men and Italian for Tosca. However, we use surtitles so the words are translated into English on a screen over the stage. I think this really helps the audience, espe-cially those who are unfamiliar with opera, because un-derstanding the story, what’s going on and what’s being said, means you’re there with the characters, sharing their emotion…not only feeling it through the music

Part of the richness and diversity of Birmingham culture is the wealth of artistic mediums that are continually on display in many stunning venues throughout the city… including perhaps one of the most challenging of all these – Opera.


and the tone of their voices but actually understanding what they’re saying too.

It’s a stereotype of opera that it’s full of generously pro-portioned singers wailing in indecipherable anguish…often nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, there are strong emotions - but love, hate, jealousy, longing, lust are strong feelings and must be portrayed as such. Every novel or television soap or theatre play uses those same emotions - Opera just add another dimension with the music.

Of course we like to have fun too. I always like to introduce something a bit different and on this tour we have a magnificent white Andalucian stallion on stage in some of the venues in Carmen…we’re also using a live golden eagle with a 6ft wingspan in some of the Tosca performances, and in almost every show we have a donkey - there’s nothing more Spanish than a donkey to lend an aura of authenticity to Carmen.

Carmen is at the New Alexandra Theatre on March 2 for tickets go to the New Alexandra website. For your chance to win one of two pairs of tickets head to www.SceneBirmingham.co.uk


BB 76 SceneBirmingham.co.uk

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MothersDayBelliniSpoil your mother this Mothers Day with this indulgent cocktail recipe. Ingredients:20ml Patrón XO Cafe10ml dark chocolate liqueurChocolate powderTopped with Champagne Method:Rim the glass in a choc-olate powder; layer the liqueurs and then top with Champagne.

For your chance to win a bottle of Patrón XO Cafe check out the competition page at www.Scenebirming-ham.co.uk - over 18’s only! T&C’s apply.


EstablishEd in 1986, swallow

havE bEEn supplying a widE

rangE of brands dirEct from

manufacturEr/brEwErs at thE

right pricE on thE day to suit

thE customEr 6 days a wEEk.

Please contact usto tender an official

termsquotation for your

business

Call:0121 428 6850

Swallow DrinksStonehouse Lane

Bartley GreenBirmingham

B32 3AHwww.swallow.uk.com

Birmingham’s

Big Bass 1st Birthday Mix

To celebrate SCENE Birmingham’s 1st Birthday, we’ve asked one of our favourite DJ’s, Birmingham’s very own Marc Spence to mix us up something special!

Bringing together the best tunes fromthe best DJs across the city...

Marc Spence presents;

‘SCENE Birmingham’s Big Bass 1st Birthday Mix’

For more of Marc Spence’s mixes check out his Soundcloud page atwww.soundcloud.com/marc-spence

SPENCEPRESENTS

1. Ilgot’n’Gane - Eye Spy

2. Marc Spence & Chris Lorenzo - Vimto

3. Dom 877 - Do It RIght

4. Paranoid Resistance - Erotic Prince

5. Adele - Set Fire To The Rain

(Thomas Graham Deep Mix) (MS Edit)

6. Hannah Wants & Chris Lorenzo - Dappy

7. Tickle - Wot U Do (Marc Spence Remix)

8. Donkie Punch & Chris Lorenzo - Snapbacks & Tattoos

9. Pete Graham, Marc Spence & Chris Lorenzo- Who Dat?

10. De Contrebande - Middle Lane Riddim

11. Kry Wolf & Claude Von Stroke - Turbosteppa

12. Alex Parkin & Chris Lorenzo - Prove 2 U

13. NIc Perry - Girls Get Down ( Cause & Affect Rmx)

14. Low Steppa & Marc Spence - Need To Know

15. House Arrest (Ilgot’n’Gane Rmx)

16. Forget Me Not - Should Be Stronger


Birmingham’s

PRESENTS


RICH BITCH STUDIOSBIRMINGHAMS BEST REHEARSAL STUDIOS

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OPENING TIMES MON- 5PM - 11PM TUES-THURS 12PM - 11PM FRI- 5PM - 10PM SAT- 12PM - 5PM SUN- 12PM - 10PM

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RICH BITCH STUDIOSBIRMINGHAMS BEST REHEARSAL STUDIOS

FOR ALL YOUR MUSIC ANDRECORDING NEEDS, VISIT

RICH BITCH STUDIOS

OPENING TIMESMON - 5PM-11PM

TUES-THURS - 12PM -11PMFRI - 5PM-10PM

SAT - 12PM-6PMSUN - 12PM-10PM

RICH BITCH STUDIOS, 505 BRISTOL ROAD, SELLY OAK, BIRMINGHAM

TEL: 0121 471 1339WWW.RICHBITCHSTUDIOS.CO.UK

SPECIAL OFFER!8 HOURS (12-8 P.M.) - STUDIO 1


£200.00

RICH BITCH STUDIOSBIRMINGHAMS BEST REHEARSAL STUDIO

SPECIAL OFFER!8HOURS (12-8PM) - STUDIO 1


£200.00

FOR ALL YOUR MUSIC AND RECORDINGS NEEDS, VISIT RICH

BICTH STUDIOS

OPENING TIMES MON- 5PM - 11PM TUES-THURS 12PM - 11PM FRI- 5PM - 10PM SAT- 12PM - 5PM SUN- 12PM - 10PM

RICH BITCH STUDIOS,505 BRISTOL ROAD, SELLY OAK, BIRMINGHAMTEL: 0121 471 1339WWW.RICHBITCHSTUDIOS.CO.UK

Carl

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