Features | Counteract

Samuel Lambeth April 29, 2020 Birmingham, Birmingham music scene, The Assist, The Future Sound Project, the novus, The Taboo Club

What is the Birmingham music scene doing during the lockdown?

Bands including The Novus and The Assist spoke to Counteract about the difference the Birmingham music scene is creating.

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Stephen Pennell April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 la dharma

Birmingham band La Dharma talk origins, lyrics and isolation

You-know-what came along has derailed La Dharma’s plans, as well of those of the whole live music scene and… well, everything else really

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Richard Franks March 15, 2020March 20, 2020 Birmingham

We need to support independent businesses more than ever before

The threat of COVID-19, or coronavirus, is beginning to have an impact on Birmingham’s independent restaurants, bars and retailers

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Sophie Hack March 7, 2020March 7, 2020 Brain Food, The Night Owl

Video premiere: Watch Brain Food’s ‘Forbidden Tongue’ video

Midlands psych quartet Brain Food have released the video for new single ‘Forbidden Tongue’, taken from their new EP released March 13th. Watch it exclusively here.

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Stephen Pennell February 2, 2020February 2, 2020 Lady Sanity, Namiwa Jazz, Peace, The Clause

20/20 vision: 20 local artists tipped for greatness in 2020

We’ve kept our ears to the Marshall amps and penned 20 of our favourite local artists that we think are set for big things this year.

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Sophie Hack January 27, 2020January 31, 2020 Birmingham, Hare and Hounds, Independent Venue Week, The Castle and Falcon, The Night Owl

Independent music venues keep music thriving in Birmingham, but for how long?

Independent Venue week is here again, bringing the UK’s venues together, but it seems Birmingham isn’t getting the recognition is deserves.

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Stuart Barton July 25, 2019January 6, 2020 Birmingham, Instagram

15 of the best Birmingham Instagram accounts you need to follow

Birmingham is bold, beautiful and bright, and these Birmingham Instagram accounts shout about everything it has to offer.

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Counteract Reporter August 13, 2018November 12, 2019

Bingo starting to attract millenials

One of the reasons why bingo has been so successful over the years is that it has the knack of

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Andrew Gutteridge February 1, 2019November 7, 2019 Arcadia, Band Aid, Barbarella’s, Blondie, Canon Hill Arts Centre, Chic, David Bowie, David Gilmour, Godley and Creme, goldfrapp, Hazel O’Connor, Herbie Hancock, James Bond, John Frusciante, Justin Timberlake, Kajagoogoo, Led Zeppelin, Live 8, Lou Reed, Mark Ronson, Mayfair Ballroom, Melle Mel, Missing Persons, MTV, New Romantic, Nile Rodgers, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Robert Palmer, Rolling Stone, Rum Runner, Scissor Sisters, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sting, The Beatles, The Human League, The Power Station, Timbaland, War Child, Wembley Arena

A beginner’s guide to: Duran Duran

It was at a Siouxsie and the Banshees gig in 1978 at Birmingham’s Mayfair Ballroom in the Bullring shopping centre, that a young John Taylor and Nick Rhodes had their Damascene moment.

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Sarah Staniforth November 6, 2019November 6, 2019 2-tone, Coventry, Far Gosford Street, fargo village, Just Dropped In... Records, The Big Comfy

15 of the best independent shops in Coventry

Coventry is home to a wealth of underappreciated indies. Use this guide to help you support the 2021 City of Culture’s independent businesses!