Lost in Kiev + Blanket + Tide + Override at Subside 
Wow. Promoter’s Surprise You’re Dead are bringing an incredible evening of gratis mile high riffage power to Birmingham’s premier rock venue with an epic four band onslaught. Leading the assault are hardcore Parisien post rockers Lost In Kiev who complement their melodious but tough instrumental sound with a neat line in samples and electronica. As if that wasn’t enough Blackpool’s movie soundtrack inspired blanket will scramble your senses in a diasporic mess of audio visual mayhem along with metal heads Tide and local grunge merchants Override. Not bad for nothing is it?
Tue 22 Aug 7pm at Subside, 57 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DA www.facebook.com

James Beckwith Trio at The Spotted Dog
And the high quality jazz gigs just keep on coming every week down at Digbeth’s glorious Spotted Dog. Rolling into the city tonight on a wave of positive reviews for their sparkling live shows are the James Beckwith Trio. Keyboardist Beckwith, Joe Downard on bass and Harry Pope on percussion, draw on a raft of influences to produce a uniquely personal sound tinged with world folk, New York jazz and hip hop. They also do a wicked cover of Californication.
Tue 22 Aug 8.30pm at The Spotted Dog, 104 Warwick St, Birmingham B12 0NH www.facebook.com

Fat Penguin Presents Kate McCabe at Patrick Kavanaghs
Coming to Birmingham with a ringing endorsement from our colleagues over at Manchester Wire is Mancunian New Yorker Kate McCabe. An improv expert with a neat line in self-deprecating gags McCabe is an enthralling stand up drawing on personal experience to raise big laughs, they know a thing or two about comedy over at Manchester Wire. House improv team Bunkum Factory will be putting in a laugh shift along with Andrew Thayer.
Wed 23 Aug 7.30pm at Patrick Kavanaghs, 142 Trafalgar Rd, Birmingham B13 8BX www.facebook.com

Wild Fun Day at EcoPark
EcoPark is a beautifully sprawling inner city natural wildlife space that fires the imagination of youngsters with its range of imaginative activities. There’s a wealth of underwater critters to discover in the guided EcoPark pond dipping sessions looking for tadpoles, frogs and even dragonflies, of course there could be all manner of other scary beasties down there too so be careful. Look out for upcoming scavenger and mini beast hunts.
Fri 25 Aug 10am at EcoPark, 258 Hob Moor Rd, Birmingham B10 9HH www.bbcwildlife.org.uk

Phundo Art Reading Festival after-party at The Dark Horse
To celebrate his appearances at this years Reading and Leeds festival’s, South African rapper Phundo Art is bringing big after show vibes down to The Dark Horse. Phundo himself will be performing a short set and there will be the usual grade A lineup of DJ’s to keep the beats rolling into the early hours.
Fri 25 Aug 9pm at The Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8JP www.darkhorsemoseley.co.uk

Forward & Friends Free Party at The Hare and Hounds
Forward, the musical arm of the ground breaking and innovative Project Birmingham, are celebrating a year of success by throwing a delicious free party at the home of live music in the city. Kicking off the bank holiday weekend in a blaze of eclectic beats featuring selectors from Moodfix and Coloré, two stamps that guarantee high quality vibes and positive party attitude. In the Moodfix corner we have Jack Barber and Tilly, whilst in the Coloré corner Stefan Taylor sits ready to pounce. This will be huge.
Fri 25 Aug 9pm at The Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath B14 7JZ www.facebook.com

Corevibez Summer Sesh Free Rave at Suki 10c
Get ready to take a hammer to your eardrums as Corvibez bring industrial strength hardcore gabba level techno to Suki 10c for a sonic blitzkrieg of all night hard beat energy. Just like the old days. Stunning DJ lineup featuring DJ Corby, Double Jeopardy and Silk DJ amongst others with emceeing from Destroyer and Yoda. Rave on.
Fri 25 Aug 9pm at Suki 10c, 21 Bordesley St, Birmingham B5 5LY www.facebook.com