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Andy Coleman

Andy Coleman

The Darkness @ NEC Arena

JUST over a year ago The Darkness concluded their first NEC headlining date with singer Justin Hawkins being hoisted high over the audience astride a stuffed white tiger. Read

Waxing lyrical about rest stops!

BRITAIN'S much maligned motorway service stations have an unexpected champion - American singer/ songwriter Laura Veirs. Read

Simple Minds @ the Carling Academy Birmingham

THERE is something special about seeing a big name band in a small venue. Read

Up close and personal with the fans

SIMPLE Minds' frontman Jim Kerr believes it's because he's still a music fan that he's continued writing, recording and performing for the past 25 years. Read

Unique sound from musical melting pot

ON first hearing Bedouin Soundclash's UK debut album, Sounding A Mosaic, you'd be excused for thinking the trio met in Kingston, Jamaica, rather than Kingston, Ontario, about three hours outside of their hometown of Toronto. Read

Chart-topper swaps his JCB for a tractor

HE has topped the singles charts, appeared on Top of the Pops and even shared a couch with Richard and Judy - but Nizlopi's Luke Concannon plans to spend his holiday cleaning out chicken pens and planting strawberries. Read

Give your verdict on Steve's latest songs

BIRMINGHAM music fans are being asked to give their verdict on songs lined up for singer/songwriter Stephen Fretwell's new album. Read

The Show Goes On as Neil tunes up

AFTER ABBA's Mamma Mia, Queen's We Will Rock You and Rod Stewart's Tonight's The Night, are you ready for Breaking Up Is Hard To Do featuring the music of Neil Sedaka? Read

Jungle Jimmy swings in

JIMMY Osmond entered I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here because he fancied a free holiday with his family in Australia . Read

NIA show will go on for Sugababes

TOP girl group Sugababes today assured Birmingham fans their city show next year will go ahead despite one of the trio quitting the group. Read

Fame at last for the bus pass punk

NEXT year is set to be very special for music legends Blondie. As well as celebrating the 30th anniversary of the recording of their selftitled debut album, the Debbie Harry- fronted band will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Read

Band's new album a best-seller

HARD-FI are a typical English band, singing about such things as clubbing at the weekend after the grind of a nine-to-five week, but they've discovered they're speaking a universal language. Read

Musical treat for Neighbours fans

IN Aussie soap Neighbours there are groans all round when Dr Karl Kennedy pulls out his guitar and starts to sing. Read

Trendy label helps new musical talent

A MIDLAND record label has teamed up with a leading international skate and surf clothing company to promote the region's up and coming musical talent. Read

ELO ex-members hold on tight to their roots

HOLD On Tight - exmembers of the Electric Light Orchestra are bringing their Strange Magic to Birmingham. Read

Eagles to fly once more!

TICKETS went on sale today for the Eagles' concert at Birmingham NIA on June 13, 2006. Read

The Darkness have ticket to return

FLAMBOYANT rockers The Darkness return to Birmingham next February to showcase tracks from their forthcoming album One Way Ticket To Hell...And Back. Read

Unusual sound thrives

CONCERT promoters often feel short-changed when new Birmingham band Envy & Other Sins turn up for a show. Read

I will carry on, vows Cliff at 65

HE IS eligible for his bus pass from today, but Sir Cliff Richard has shown there is life in him yet by announcing a 15-date UK tour for 2006. Read

Family and friends chip in on new CD

THE son of folk legends Richard and Linda Thompson called on his parents and the offspring of folk icons Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle to complete his new album. 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 and also compiles the Mail's gardening pages.

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