Alex Voss and Sam Harrison at Yorks Cafe
We’ve missed Live at Yorks. Quality music, cake and coffee always brightened our Mondays. Well now it’s back but at the new Yorks Cafe situated in the Ikon Gallery. Same deal but this time surrounded by cutting edge art. Kicking off the new sessions are Stafford’s angst fuelled folkie Alex Voss and Brummie singer songwriter Samuel Harrison.
Mon 11 Sep 7.30pm at Yorks Cafe at Ikon Gallery,  1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS www.facebook.com

Baron Sternlook: An Improvised Musical Revue at Rose Villa Tavern
A full length hour long comedy musical entirely improvised from audience suggestions laced with good humour and rampant silliness, all in a night’s work for Baron Sternlook and his merry band of improvisers. The Rose Villa Tavern is another great reason to visit the burgeoning Jewelery Quarter. Free laughs in the convivial surroundings of a proper boozer selling great food and ales.
Tue 12 Sep 7.30pm at Rose Villa Tavern, 172 Warstone Ln, Birmingham B18 6JW www.facebook.com

Fat Penguin Presents: Daliso Chaponda at Patrick Kavanagh
The son of a Malawian politician and proud recipient of third place in this years Britain’s Got Talent, Chaponda has been busy on the comedy circuit for several years as well as winning awards for his writing. His newly commissioned show, Daliso Chaponda: Citizen of Nowhere, is due for broadcast in 2018 on BBC Radio 4, this is a great opportunity to see the thought provoking comic for free.
Wed 13 Sep 8pm at Patrick Kavanagh, 142 Trafalgar Rd, Birmingham B13 8BX www.facebook.com

Scarlet, Institutes, Mantra and Pinky at Subside
Manchester’s indie popsters Scarlet headline another incredible free gig down at Digbeth’s Subside courtesy of Surprise You’re Dead promoters; also appearing are local grungers Institutes, Coventry’s indie rockers Mantra and the DIY punk mayhem of anarchic Birmingham duo Pinky.
Thu 14 Sep 7pm at Subside, 57 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DA www.facebook.com

Fat Penguin Presents: James Cook at Patrick Kavanagh
Anyone with over a 1,000 gigs under their comedic belts must be doing something right and it can’t just be obstinate persistence, no one’s that committed. Birmingham comic James Cook has been compared to everyone from Frank Skinner to Dylan Moran which, lazy journalism aside, is all well and good but James Cook is very funny being just himself. Possessed of a wit so dry it could make a desert of the city’s canals we’re excitedly looking forward to his next thousand gigs, not sure if James is though.
Thu 14 Sep 8pm at Patrick Kavanagh, 142 Trafalgar Rd, Birmingham B13 8BX www.facebook.com

Extreme Chilli Festival at Brindley Place
Two days of all things chilli related to burn up your taste buds and scramble your senses at Brindley Place’s central square. We’re so excited we’ve already got our own special chilli bowl and spoon packed and ready to go. There’s live music; activities and plenty of bars, your mouth may need cooling, to complement the hardcore spice action. Places are still available for hardy adventurers wishing to abseil down the side of number four in aid of the Children’s Hospital, there’s a rock climbing wall and the chance to get up close with some lizards.
Fri 15 Sep to Sat 16 Sep at Brindley Place, 2 Brunswick St, Birmingham B1 2JF www.brindleyplace.com

Drones, The Decoy, Conor O’Rourke and Mixtape Saints at Subside
The second free Surprise You’re Dead gig of the week at Subside and what a lineup. Headlining is the powerhouse onslaught of hardcore punk noise warriors Drones; check out their latest video Territories for a taste, catch Welsh noiseniks The Decoy, new album Avalon is a raging blast of alt rock energy, Brummie singer songwriter Conor O’ Rourke and the heartfelt hardcore of Midland’s own Mixtape Saints.
Fri 15 Sep 7pm at Subside, 57 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DA www.facebook.com