New Found Glory and Sum 41 to headline Kerrang! Tour 2012

Sum 41 co-headline the 2012 Kerrang Tour, sponsored by Relentless Energy

If you’re in Birmingham in February, then get ready for a night of some of the finest punk rock from across the Atlantic as Sum 41 and New Found Glory headline the Kerrang! Tour 2012 Sponsored By Relentless Energy Drink – an event not to be missed!

Following the success of the 2011 tour, which featured headliners Good Charlotte and support from Four Year Strong, Framing Hanley and The Wonder Years, Kerrang! have gone the extra mile to create a double headline event giving fans even more bang for their buck. Next February, there’s the chance to see two of the pop punk scenes’ kingpins on the same night under one roof. Joining the co-headliners are letlive, one of the hottest rising acts on the international live circuit and rising UK stars While She Sleeps.

COMPETITION: Slava’s snow wonderland comes to Brum

Slava's Snowshow will be at the Birmingham Hippodrome in November

After 15 years since its UK premiere, Slavas Showshow returns to Birmingham Hippodrome this November in what will be its last stop and strictly limited run in a national tour before a special white Christmas season at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

Slavas Showshow is the internationally acclaimed winner of the Time Out, Olivier and Drama Desk awards for most unique theatrical experience. It is a visual masterpiece loved by children and adults alike. A combination of theatrical clowning and stunning spectacle, Slavas Showshow is performed by a highly renowned company of clowns led by Slava Polunin.

City becomes catwalk for Style Birmingham weekend

George Lamb and Caryn Franklin at Style Birmingham Live 2011

Birmingham was transformed into a paradise for keen fashionistas this weekend as it once again hosted a special fashion and beauty extravaganza.

Style Birmingham Live, a three-day event, launched full-throttle on Friday with a vast range of events, demonstrations and catwalk displays being showcased at shops, malls and stages across the city centre.

Gamers descend on city for GAMEfest 2011

Avid gamer Jamie Chapman enjoys GAMEfest 2011 at the NEC Birmingham

Eager gamers from across the country and abroad descended on the city yesterday for the chance to be amongst the first to play some of this year’s most anticipated games at the GAMEfest event held in the NEC.

With London’s EuroGamer Expo being only a week away, this inaugural show of gaming extravangance was brought to Birmingham by UK retailer Game in the hope of debuting exclusives to avid gamers while wetting the appetites of the many who’ll be more than happy to queue for hours in the upcoming months as these top titles are finally released.

JLS add THIRD Birmingham date to ’4th Dimension’ tour

JLS have added a third Birmingham date to their forthcoming tour

They only announced that they would be bringing their ‘4th Dimension’ tour to the LG Arena this month, but thanks to sell-out dates JLS have added a third date to their LG Arena stint. In addition to 16 and 17 March, the boys will return to the Midlands on 17 April to give fans a chance to see them live.

With five Number 1 singles and two Platinum albums already under their belt, JLS have secured their place as one of the UK’s biggest boybands. Their long-awaited third is album due out on 14 November 2011, giving fans the chance to get acquainted with their new material ahead of the 2012 tour.

COMPETITION: Win tickets to the Cycle Show at the NEC

The Cycle Show 2011 comes to Birmingham

The Cycle Show is back for 2011, celebrating its 10th birthday this year at its new home at the NEC, Birmingham. With some of the world’s most desirable brands in cycling exhibiting this year, visitors will be able to grab a sneak preview of the latest bikes, accessories and fashions.

Whether you are looking for the latest innovations from specialist brands, wanting to try out a new mountain bike or see highly skilled BMX riders perform, the Cycle Show offers an amazing day out for everyone.

Not only will you get to see the latest across all genres of cycling, but this year’s show, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 30 September to 2 October, will also offer you the chance to try out the latest bikes for 2012 on two brand new outdoor demo tracks.

BAMMA 7 Weigh-In: Paul Daley six pounds overweight

Paul "Semtex" Daley was a staggering six pounds overweight

With only one night to go before the big BAMMA 7 event, the official weigh-in took place this afternoon at the NIA’s Olympia Suite in Birmingham.

To the dismay of officials, Paul Daley failed to make weight for the sixth time in three years. The 28-year-old former UFC welterweight contender came in at 176 pounds, excessively over the 170 pound limit and went on to refuse an offer to lose the extra weight within two hours. Despite citing a ‘sauna issue’ in protest to present journalists, the weight discrepancy will cost Daley a percentage of his final fee.

BAMMA official Liam Fisher, Head of Business Development, confirmed a sauna malfunction in the fighters’ hotel as the main cause for several missed weights – many of which were later rectified within the remaining two-hour allowance period.

JLS add extra Birmingham ’4th Dimension’ tour date

JLS have added an extra date to the Birmingham leg of their 2012 tour

Pop sensations JLS return, all guns blazing, with a brand new arena tour for March and April 2012 – and due to phenomenal demand an extra date has been added in Birmingham.

Aston, Marvin, JB and Oritse were already due to perform at the LG Arena on Friday 16 March but now they will also take to the stage with a second date on Saturday 17 March.

JLS’s success has been nothing short of staggering. Sold-out Arena and stadium tours. Five UK number one singles. Two multi-platinum albums.  Four MOBO Awards. Two 2010 BRIT trophies.

Fight stars head to Birmingham as BAMMA 8 tickets go on sale!

BAMMA 7 is headed back to the Birmingham NIA

Europe’s largest and most prominent Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion, The British Association of Mixed Martial Arts (BAMMA) hosts BAMMA 7 at the NIA, Birmingham this Saturday 10 September 2011.

Wallhead Vs Trigg at BAMMA 7

Thirteen fights are on the card for BAMMA 7, with the main card including the bouts: Jimmy Wallhead vs Frank Trigg, Paul Daley vs Jordan Radev and the British Middleweight Title bout with Jack Marshman vs Carl Noon. The MMA event will also see Rob Sinclair battle it out against Leonardo Santos for the vacant World Lightweight Title.

Birmingham riots under the spotlight in public debate

The manager of a city store surveys damage during the recent riots in Birmingham

The recent riots and the causes of the national disturbance was the subject of public debate last night when BBC Radio 4’s flagship news and current affairs programme came to Birmingham.

The Today programme held a special live debate at the city’s Town Hall, discussing themes of policing, social intervention and morality. A panel of experts were recorded debating the issues with an invited audience and members of the public during an in-depth three-part session. You can listen to the full debate below.