Exposure | Thu 20 Jul | Centrala | Free ( with tickets, see link below)
Verity Sharp hosts the latest event in the BBC Radio 3 series showcasing experimental music up and down the UK, with sets from Gonimoblast, the band of improvising bassist Chris Mapp in partnership tonight with electro-acoustic composer Annie Mahtani, ‘drone doom tuba’ from composer and instrument builder Sam Underwood’s ORE project, and music from alternative five-piece Dorcha, led by composer and songwriter Anna Palmer, one of the artists featured at last month’s Supersonic Festival.
www.eventbrite.co.uk

Tippa Irie | Fri 21 Jul | Hare & Hounds | £10
Prolific dancehall MC and Black Eyed Peas collaborator, Tippa Irie plays live with The Lockdown Backing Band and support From Jbeatz, Miss Aliya & Darshae McKenzie, PapaCrook, Lucy Tennyson & Antiquity.
www.hareandhoundskingsheath.com

Punjabtronix | Fri 21 Jul | The mac | £14.50
Mercury nominated electronic music producer DJ Swami joins forces with Punjabi folk musicians to create an innovative musical and visual experience, combining cutting edge electronic beats with the raw energetic DNA of Punjab. Mixing live electronic dance music and visual projections with Punjabi dhol drums, vocals, stringed instruments and the hypnotic sounding double flute algoza.
www.macbirmingham.co.uk

Shapla Salique | Sun 23 Jul | Town hall | £12 – £23
Fresh from a sell-out performance at Wilton’s Music Hall Bangladeshi-born British singer-songwriter and harmonium player Shapla Salique (pictured) brings her original blend of traditional Bengali, jazz and funk spunds performing material from her successful recent album, No Boundaries. A selection of Traditional Bangla/tiffin style snacks will be served before the gig.
www.thsh.co.uk

Nights at the Circus | Sun 23 Jul | The Dark Horse | £8 or £10 OTD
The underground contemporary folk night goes from strength to strength with tonight’s guests featuring singer and song writer Rowan Godel, described as an ‘underground folk superstar’ Godel has worked extensively with Oysterband, Levellers, John Jones and Ray Cooper and has just released her own solo EP. She’s joined by Leon Gormley, a familiar face from the Birmingham folk scene with an unusually beautiful five finger picking technique, plus special guest Benji Kirkpatrick of Bellowhead and Faustus fame.
www.skiddle.com

Simmer Down | Sun 23 Jul | Handsworth Park | FREE
The annual free family festival favourite returns to Handsworth park to celebrate Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity and pay tribute to the reggae roots of Birmingham’s musical scene. This year’s line-up features Jamaican singer, musician and producer Freddie Mcgregor & the Big Ship Band, Macka B + roots & reggae band, Black Voices, Ras King Bobo, Motown In Dub and lots more. See our full preview here.