Features | Counteract

Yak at The Rainbow Courtyard in Birmingham

Richard Franks May 24, 2016July 19, 2019 Hare & Hounds, O2 Institute, One Trick Pony Club, Suki10c, The Dark Horse, The Rainbow, The Sunflower Lounge

Meet the venues leading the way for new music in Birmingham

Whether local or playing in the city for the first time, these venues are partly responsible for helping you find out about some of your favourite musicians.

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Counteract Reporter June 5, 2016July 19, 2019 1565 at Park Regis, Boston Tea Party, Cafe Opus, Cherry Reds, Edwardian Tea Rooms, Faculty, Jake's Coffee Box, Java Lounge, Saint Kitchen, Six Eight Cafe, The Old Crown, Tilt, Urban Coffee Company, Yorks

14 of the best places to grab a coffee in Birmingham

In a bid to celebrate this almighty drink, we’ve rounded up our favourite spots in the city to grab a cuppa.

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Richard Franks October 4, 2016July 19, 2019 Birmingham, Bobbie Jane Gardner, Brum culture, for-Wards, Godflesh, Juice Aleem, Justin K Broadrick, Napalm Death, Percy Pursglove, pram, Rainbow Venues, Rowen Coleing

Let’s push things for-Wards…

The project involves 10 composers, 30 musicians, 40 community groups, 10 local performances, 1 spectacular performance across 2 years.

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Counteract Reporter December 4, 2016July 19, 2019 Amusement 13, Blackbox, Dares Bar, Digbeth, Hare & Hounds, Lab 11, Mama Roux's, Suki10c, The Dark Horse, The Night Owl, The Rainbow, Void

Forget Broad Street – here’s where you should go out in Birmingham

10 places we think you should try that best represent the scope and variety of nightlife in the second city.

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Samuel Lambeth December 31, 2016July 19, 2019 Apathy, Field Harmonics, Gleam, God Damn, Handwaxx, Jaded, JAWS, Mutes, Paper Buoys, Quinn, Robert Craig Oulton, Semantics, The Cosmics, The Lizards, Yung Jimmy's Big Ideas

The albums of 2016: Ranked by Birmingham bands

From new bands to established outfits, there has been a raft of quality collections that have outweighed the dysfunctional nature of this year.

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Stephen Pennell February 8, 2017July 19, 2019 Affie Jam, Call Me Unique, Elektric, Jorja Smith, Kezia Soul, Lady Sanity, Mahalia, Namiwa Jazz, SicNis, TrueMendous

10 of the best female urban musicians in the West Midlands right now

Black female musical success is a long-standing Birmingham tradition of course, and many people of a certain age can reel off the household names.

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Louise Spears May 18, 2017July 19, 2019 Cow Vintage, Gingermegs Vintage, Judy's Affordable Vintage Fair, Lou Lou's Vintage Fair, Moseley All Services Club, Moseley Vintage Fair, Off The Scale Vintage, The Vintage Kilo Sale, The Vintage Weigh and Pay, Top Banana, Urban Village, Vintage Hideaway

Birmingham’s best vintage shops, markets and fairs

Birmingham is home to a wonderful array of retro offerings. Read our guide to the best vintage shops, markets and fairs in the city.

harry-potter-christmas-great-hall-village-moseley-feast

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Richard Franks November 20, 2017July 19, 2019 Birmingham, Harry Potter, Hogwarts, Moseley, The Village Moseley

There’s a Harry Potter Christmas Feast coming to Birmingham and you NEED to go

Wands at the ready as this Birmingham pub is turned in to The Great Hall for one night only!

Bongo's Bingo at Crane, Birmingham - NEW - 1

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Millie Finn December 1, 2017July 19, 2019 Birmingham, Bongo's Bingo, Crane, Digbeth

We went to Bongo’s Bingo – and it’s absolutely nuts

Crane hosted Bongo’s Bingo, substituting the usual caller with a hyped-up DJ blasting 90s music, and with mandatory dancing on the tables

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Counteract Reporter December 2, 2017July 19, 2019 Birmingham, Blakesley Hall, Cadbury World, CBSO, christmas, german market, National Sea Life Centre

10 reasons to visit Birmingham this Christmas

There’s so much going in in Birmingham during the festive period – here are some of the top events and activities for you to get involved with