Updated 1:47am 26 May 2012

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Andy Coleman

Andy Coleman

New talent will be on song at The Yardbird

REGULAR weekly songwriting showcase begins on Band Holiday Monday at The Yardbird in Birmingham's Paradise Place. Featuring a range of Midland artists, the event will turn the spotlight on the region's 'unsung musical heroes'. ANDY COLEMAN takes a look at those taking part in the first gig.Read

From busker to headliner

DEVON-BASED songstress Becky Brine, one of the most popular discoveries at this year's Birmingham International Jazz Festival, makes a quick return to Brum to headline Picnic In The Park at the city's Botanical Gardens tomorrow.Read

Brum needs more venues

BIRMINGHAM singer Gerard O’Connell fears that budding Brummie musicians may be deprived of places of perform in their home city.Read

Following dad into music biz

PHONING a musician’s mobile is always interesting as you never know where they’ll be when they answer.Read

BB King was my warm-up act on tour

SHE’S only 23 but singer and guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor has already achieved what most blues performers can only dream of – following BB King on stage.Read

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (12a)

WITH all eyes focused on China and the Olympics it's a timely opening for the third episode in the money-making Mummy series.Read

It's nice work if you can get it!

SOME guys have all the luck! Shortly before I was due to interview R'n'B sensation Taio Cruz his publicist rang to say our chat would have to be postponed because ''Taio was stuck in the studio with the Sugababes''.Read

Keeping an eye on the silver screen

MUSIC fans could find themselves featured on the silver screen if they attend a show by a Birmingham band next week.Read

New album marks big change for kd

WATERSHED is the name of kd lang's latest album - and her tour, which arrives at Birmingham Symphony Hall tonight, sees the 47-year-old Canadian singer at a watershed in her career.Read

The X-Files: I Want To Believe (15)

NOW here's a spooky X-Files-style coincidence. In the same week that singer Cerys Matthews, whose band Catatonia had a hit single in 1998 with Mulder and Scully, returned to Birmingham for a gig at the Glee Club, the second big screen version of the XFiles is opening in the city.Read

New singer has big shoes to fill

AFTER 30 years of stability it's all change for one of Birmingham's biggest bands.Read

We will fight our way to stardom

HE has a famous musical brother but Will Simpson is finding that fronting his own band is not all plain sailing.Read

You'd be a fool to miss days of fun

FIGHTING and fooling is on the agenda for visitors to Kenilworth Castle.Read

Tribute band's Crazy Nights

TOP tribute act Dressed To Kill aim to thrill fans with a spectacular show at Birmingham's newest venue tonight.Read

Robert's debt to Britain

Robert Cray never has the blues when he comes to Britain – because he credits the UK with helping him launch his career.Read

B-50 somethings still wanna party

THE B-52s plan to party hard when they visit Birmingham’s Carling Academy next Wednesday.Read

Musicians descend on Birmingham for Jazz Festival

BIRMINGHAM has been swinging to the sounds of jazz all week, with a host of artists performing in a variety of venues.Read

Liam's the shape of Finns to come

BEING the son of a famous musician has its rewards, Liam Finn is finding as he attempts to make his own mark of the music scene.Read

Rips waiting for the tide to turn

THEY may have just missed out on winning a prestigious contest for new bands but Birmingham quintet The Riptides are determined to have the last laugh.Read

Death Cab on the road to success

DEATH Cab For Cutie were formed 11 years ago in a university town 80 miles north of America's grunge capital Seattle, but their name comes from a thoroughly English source.Read

Author Profile

Andy Coleman is a Birmingham Mail veteran having worked at the paper for 25 years. He is the Mail's music editor, regularly reviewing rock concerts at the NEC, NIA and Carling Academy, as well as CDs and DVDs. Andy edits the Friday What's On section.