Jon Perks - Birmingham Mail

Birmingham News: French cheese declared world champion at the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:00:00 GMT

The cheese, called Ossau-Iraty, saw off off competition from 2,700 other entries at the World Cheese Awards 2011, which were held in Brum for the second year running.

Gig Reviews: The Pierces review HMV Institute Library, Birmingham

Birmingham Mail — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:00:00 GMT

“IT’S Ladies’ Night!” declared Alison Pierce, the blonde half of the siblings from Birmingham, Alabama, no less.

Rock & Pop: Music: A window on former Stranglers' world

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 GMT

OLD punks never die... they just head off to the spare room to write a spot of fiction.

Gig Reviews: 10cc review, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IT WAS more like 10°C than 10cc, in a less than toasty Alex (had someone left a window open?), but Graham Gouldman and friends warmed hands and hearts with a trip through the back catalogue – both his own pre-10cc days (he wrote the likes of The Hollies’ Bus Stop) and, in the main set, the string of hits he, Eric Stewart, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme enjoyed in the 1970s.

Rock & Pop: Music: Hits kick off nostalgic gig

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:10:00 GMT

WHEN Ocean Colour Scene play Birmingham O2 Academy tomorrow, frontman Simon Fowler has one thing to remember – not to leave too soon.

Food and Drink News: Food and Drink: If Heston made cocktails, they'd taste like this...

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:53:00 GMT

TRAVEL, they say, broadens the mind.

Gig Reviews: Paloma Faith Review, Wolverhampton Civic Hall

Birmingham Mail — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT

SHE’S the 1940s Lady Gaga, with a Barbara Windsor giggle.

Gig Reviews: Review: Jean Michel Jarre in Birmingham

Birmingham Mail — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 23:00:00 GMT

IT’S hard to say who enjoyed the concert more – the audience or its star, French synth pioneer Jean Michel Jarre.

Food and Drink News: Food and Drink: Nachos, naturally, at Matt’s Bodega

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:17:00 GMT

HE’S Birmingham’s very own burrito brother.

Classical - Folk - Jazz: Music: Chilling out with festival favourite

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:00:00 GMT

For many at The Big Chill festival, Norman Jay OBE is Mr Big Chill.

Food and Drink News: Food and Drink: Cooking risotto doesn't get any tougher than this!

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:44:00 GMT

I NOW know how the gladiators felt when they were about to step out into the arena.

Rock & Pop: Music: Hugh Cornwell unveils new album in Bilston

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:00:00 GMT

AFTER 40 years in the business, there can’t be many venues Hugh Cornwell hasn’t played.

Rock & Pop: Music: Harper Simon calls on his famous dad

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 06 May 2010 23:00:00 GMT

IF the credits to his debut album are anything to go by, Harper Simon’s mobile phone contacts list must read like a musical Who’s Who.

DVD Reviews: Debut well worth wait

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 06 May 2010 23:00:00 GMT

IF the credits to his debut album are anything to go by, Harper Simon’s mobile phone contacts list must read like a musical Who’s Who.

Birmingham News: Review: The Stranglers at 02 Academy

Birmingham Mail — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:00:00 GMT

A two-hour set with as many classics as possible shoe-horned into it, the foursome of original members Jean-Jacques Burnel, Jet Black, Dave Greenfield (who these days looks more and more like Billy from DIY SOS) and ‘new boy’ Baz Warne (who’s been there since 2000) gave the audience what they wanted – a conveyor belt of their finest tunes.

Gig Reviews: Guillemot Fyfe Dangerfield flies solo at Glee Club

Birmingham Mail — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

JANUARY 18 was supposedly the gloomiest day of the year, so an uplifting gig from Guillemots man Fyfe was the perfect remedy.

Birmingham News: Review: David Gray at the Symphony Hall

Birmingham Mail — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

ON HIS various visits to Birmingham, David Gray has played most venues; Ronnie Scott’s (in his pre-Babylon fame days), the Academy and NIA – both on his last round of touring four years ago.

Birmingham Comedy: Comedy: Phill Jupitus stars in Rock With Laughter

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:00:00 GMT

SINGING with Ian Dury’s band The Blockheads is what Phill Jupitus lovingly refers to as “a part-time arrangement” – but with the packed work schedule he has ahead, it could hardly be anything more.

Rock & Pop: Music: Fake Fab Four fun

Birmingham Mail — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT

NEIL Harrison has been John Lennon for almost as long as Lennon himself was.

Rock & Pop: Woodstock comes to The Big Chill

Birmingham Mail — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

THE man who booked the likes of Jimi Hendrix and The Who to play Woodstock 40 years ago will be a special guest at this year’s Big Chill festival.