Listening Sessions Takeover at Cogs
Since 2013 the Listening Sessions have been at the heart of the electronic music scene in Birmingham and now they’re moving their funky selves into one of the city’s coolest new bars, Cogs. The Distorted Minds Crew will be there creating brain frazzling visuals live, so get ready to be hypnotised. There will be an open art space and submissions are welcomed from the local community or you can just switch your imagination to overdrive and get involved on the night. Founding members Elkie & Goosensei will be laying down big choons throughout including dub, hip hop, techno and drum and bass. Turn up, tune in, get funky.
Tue 22 Nov 8pm at Cogs, 61 Newhall Street, Birmingham, B3 3RB listeningsessions.co.uk/

*Cancelled* Howard Gayle in conversation with Tom Ross at Waterstones
Gayle was the first black footballer to ever wear the red shirt of Liverpool FC in a professional match. He’ll be at Waterstones discussing his experiences and to promote his new book ’61 minutes’, this refers to how long he played in the European Cup semi-final of 1981. He spent a couple of seasons with our own Birmingham City in the eighties scoring 11 goals in 59 games. A tireless campaigner to rid football of racism he recently refused an MBE in recognition of his work stating it would be “a betrayal to all of the Africans who have lost their lives, or who have suffered as a result of Empire.”
Tue 22 Nov 6.30pm at Waterstones, 24-26 High Street, Birmingham, B4 7SL www.waterstones.com/

Psydoll live at Cogs
Sirens wailing, guitars buzzing and the smell of leather. It can mean only one thing, Japanese cyberpunkers Psydoll are in town. Their industrial beats remind us of a more sedate Atari Teenage Riot rinsed through a blender with J-Pop. It’s a crunching sound and quite how we get to see a band from Tokyo for free in Birmingham we’ll never know, we’re just glad we can. Local noise boys Dead Happy are supporting along with Jack Nelson and A Pocketful of Stars. That’s four bands for… hang on I can work this out… Free!
Wed 23 Nov 7pm Cogs, 61 Newhall Street, Birmingham, B3 3RB www.facebook.com/

Film Nights Superhero Season at Prince of Wales
Film nights return to one of the coolest pubs in Moseley. A whole season of super hero flicks is planned for the winter. Films are screened in the heated beer garden and blankets along with free popcorn are provided. Due to the peculiarities of licensing they are not allowed to advertise the film but instead offer complex clues as to what it will be. This weeks clue is ‘sounds liked shed-fool’. Hmmm I thought it was going to be complex. Snuggle up, stuff yourselves with popcorn and watch the extreme violence unfold before you.
Wed 23 Nov 7.30pm at Prince of Wales, 118 Alcester Road Moseley Birmingham B13 8EE www.theprincemoseley.co.uk/

Phil Meadows Project at Symphony Hall
The multi award winning multi instrumentalist Phil Meadows brings his brand new ‘Project’ to the Symphony Hall Cafe Bar for an early evening session of engaging and sophisticated jazz. Meadows has never been afraid to meld different genres into his music producing an enigmatic and unique sound. Always a treat live we’re particularly excited to see him perform with his new ensemble and hear brand new compositions which are themed on the life experiences of a twenty something.
Fri 25 Nov 5pm at Symphony Hall, Broad St, Birmingham B1 2EA www.thsh.co.uk/

Chordyard Chrimbo Countdown at Hotel Du Vin
We can’t think of any better way to sneak out of November and crash headlong towards Christmas than in the company of Birmingham’s own rockabillian female troubadour the wonderful Harry Jordan. If you haven’t already grabbed a copy then you really need to get hold of new EP ‘Devil in a Push up Bra’ and start tapping those beetle crushers. She’ll be live in the cosy heated courtyard along with half price champagne and a host of seasonal festivities.
Fri 25 Nov 6.30pm at Hotel du Vin, 25 Church Street, Birmingham B3 2NR www.facebook.com/

Digmas Christmas Fair at the Custard Factory
The Custard Factory has a great knack for hosting off key events that offer something different from the mundane. Digmas is just such an event. An independent Christmas fair with an astonishing array of fun family orientatated activities. The kids can visit Santa in his grotto, listen to storytelling, join in craft workshops and get their faces painted. Quality presents can be bought at the gift market and hungry bellies can get their fill by some of Birmingham’s top street food vendors. Oh there’s also a pop up bar from Clink and the Gin Box. That’s us sorted then.
Sat 26 Nov 11am at The Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Birmingham B9 4AA www.facebook.com/

BASS’16 Presents: DJ Semtex Q&A Session at Six Eight Kafe
As part of the Bass 2016 festival that is happening across the city, read our preview here, DJ Semtex will be taking part in a Q&A session to discuss a career that has seen him become one of the most sought after Hip Hop DJ’s. From humble beginnings selling his own mix tapes by hand to setting up in front of 100,000 people at Glastonbury. Sure to discuss new book ‘Hip-Hop Raised Me’ and full of confidence, it promises to be a fascinating event.
Sat 26 Nov 2pm at Six Eight Kafe, 6/8 Temple Row, Birmingham B2 5HG bass2016.co.uk

Festive Family Shake, Rattle & Roll at mac, Birmingham
Musically minded mini-folk? Family that likes to funk-out together. Just fancy taking your helluva racket homelife on an adventure and getting into the Christmas spirit? The extraordinary talents of the Birmingham Conservatoire Percussion Department will take you on an interactive Festive Fun percussion show for all the family. Make some (festive) noise, with bells on.
Sat 26 Nov, 10.30am, 1pm & 3.30pm at mac Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH www.macbirmingham.co.uk