(no subject)
Lately I've been trying to waste less time on crap like Facebook, and spend more time doing writing and other such creative endeavours. I've also been trying to prove that your social life doesn't have to cease to exist when you hit 25, although it's been somewhat of an uphill struggle thus far.
One thing I've discovered is that Birmingham is nowhere near as shit as I was led to believe for live music and DJ nights. Even though Eddies burned to the ground, XLs died on its arse and pretty much every half decent live music venue in the city has been bought by land developers in the last five years, people are still putting in the effort to make something of the live scene. The same problems exist that have always been there, such as divisions between bands who get to play and bands who don't but think they should, and of course there's the general sense of apathy that blights those who can't be arsed to go out because it's too far for them to get a bus, or they're afraid to listen to a band that hasn't been on the front cover of their favourite pop magazine (yes, I said pop magazine).
This sudden resurgence recently may in part be thanks to people who "waste time on crap like Facebook", since a considerable number of promoters I've been made aware of use things like MySpace and Facebook to put their shows out to the masses. More use is being made of venues which were previously thought unsuitable, because as it turns out a good sound system, layout and atmosphere is better than that pub you swear by because it takes you 2 minutes to get there from your house.
I've also come to realise that putting off going out because people who are supposed to come with you end up cancelling on you is a really bad idea, since I've been to a number of shows lately on my own and been so caught up in the music and the atmosphere that I practically forgot I was in a city of total strangers. Sorry, not city, room.
So here's to you, Capsule (link), missdeathmetal and the rest of the Reanimator crew (link), The Sunflower Lounge, The Island Bar, The Actress & Bishop, The Rainbow, The Custard Factory, Scruffy Murphy's, Bar Academy and all the rest. Birmingham: It's Not Shit, after all.
One thing I've discovered is that Birmingham is nowhere near as shit as I was led to believe for live music and DJ nights. Even though Eddies burned to the ground, XLs died on its arse and pretty much every half decent live music venue in the city has been bought by land developers in the last five years, people are still putting in the effort to make something of the live scene. The same problems exist that have always been there, such as divisions between bands who get to play and bands who don't but think they should, and of course there's the general sense of apathy that blights those who can't be arsed to go out because it's too far for them to get a bus, or they're afraid to listen to a band that hasn't been on the front cover of their favourite pop magazine (yes, I said pop magazine).
This sudden resurgence recently may in part be thanks to people who "waste time on crap like Facebook", since a considerable number of promoters I've been made aware of use things like MySpace and Facebook to put their shows out to the masses. More use is being made of venues which were previously thought unsuitable, because as it turns out a good sound system, layout and atmosphere is better than that pub you swear by because it takes you 2 minutes to get there from your house.
I've also come to realise that putting off going out because people who are supposed to come with you end up cancelling on you is a really bad idea, since I've been to a number of shows lately on my own and been so caught up in the music and the atmosphere that I practically forgot I was in a city of total strangers. Sorry, not city, room.
So here's to you, Capsule (link), missdeathmetal and the rest of the Reanimator crew (link), The Sunflower Lounge, The Island Bar, The Actress & Bishop, The Rainbow, The Custard Factory, Scruffy Murphy's, Bar Academy and all the rest. Birmingham: It's Not Shit, after all.