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Andy Coleman

Andy Coleman

Bees are back and buzzing!

THEIR first album was recorded in a shed and their second at the world-famous Abbey Road studio. Now album number three from The Bees has been put together in a basement! Read

Charlotte happy to have taken the plunge

IT'S sink or swim time for former Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, who is diving in at the deep end to launch a solo career. Read

Comic songs hit the right note

MIXING music and comedy, Aussie funnyman Tim Minchin has been hailed as a rising star. Read

No trouble, we've seen the light

BIRMINGHAM band The Twang hope their reputation for riotous gigs is a thing of the past. Read

Chart-topper full of beans

HE was number one in the UK singles chart for six weeks, during which time he has also topped the album chart, but Mika was more than happy to honour his commitment to play the small Birmingham Barfly. Read

City fans get double dose of Amy

BIRMINGHAM is set for a double dose of sultry singer Amy Winehouse next week. Read

From Eisteddfod to world of rock

MEET newcomers Grace, a band named after Jeff Buckley's album and the ex-girlfriend of vocalist JP Jones. Read

Shayne's back on the road

SHAYNE Ward stormed to victory in 2005's X Factor, had three hit singles and a chart-topping album - then seemingly disappeared from view. Read

Knight came to the rescue of Louise

NEW girl on the block Louise Setara has Midland songstress Beverley Knight to thank for helping her complete a lengthy UK tour. Read

Tantrum led me to my destiny

A TEENAGE tantrum at art college led up-and-coming singer Candie Payne to turn her back on drawing and painting and direct her creative talent into music. Read

Superman Returns 3D (12A)

HE'S the Man of Steel who is faster than a speeding bullet - and Superman is now taller than a five-storey building, thanks to Birmingham's IMAX cinema. Read

End of the road for record store

AFTER three decades of supplying swing and jazz music the final note is set to sound for a Birmingham city centre record store. Read

Reject Mika has the last laugh on Simon

IT was a sweet moment for new artist Mika when he knocked Simon Cowell's protege Leona Lewis off the top of the charts this week - because the X-Factor judge had told him he'd never be a star. Read

With a little help from his friends

PRE-CHRISTMAS Midland Rock 'n' Roll charity show could become a regular event following the success of a pioneering gig last year. Read

Big screen hero hits high note singing the blues

SYLVESTER Stallone may have snubbed the Midlands by not attending Wednesday's regional premiere of Rocky Balboa in Birmingham, but fellow Hollywood action hero Steven Seagal made all the right moves at the intimate Robin 2 in Bilston. Read

Seagal's waxing lyrical

HOLLYWOOD hard-man Steven Seagal is showing he has more than one string to his bow. Read

Rising stars that are living up to the hype

AFTER a year on the road The View are being tipped as the next big thing. Read

Hundred reasons to be cheerful!

ROCK singer Colin Doran is taking the Ian Dury song Reasons To Be Cheerful to heart. In fact, you could say he has a Hundred Reasons to be cheerful! Read

Axe man wants to get saucy in Brum

METAL maniac Adam Dutkiewicz was relishing the prospect of a trip to Birmingham - until he heard about plans to close the city's HP Sauce factory. Read

Norman's back in the old routine

"COMEBACK? What comeback? I've never been away!" 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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