Birmingham
In Birmingham’s punk underground, hardcore is queer
Punk Pride — In recent years, a defiantly political queercore scene has begun to emerge in the West Midlands, providing alternative spaces for the area’s LGBTQ+ youth. Stephanie Phillips speaks to those leading the charge.
Written by: Stephanie Phillips
A queer archive of Northern England in the ‘90s
Out & About — Photographer Stuart Linden Rhodes recalls capturing the North’s diverse LGBTQ+ clubbing scene, and the vibrant characters who filled the dance floors.
Written by: Patrick Sproull
Stewart Lee on the post-punk band that shaped his career
King Rocker — The comedian discusses his new documentary about the relatively forgotten band, The Nightingales, and its renegade frontman, Robert Lloyd, which raises timely question around ideas of artistic success.
Written by: Fergal Kinney
An unflinching portrait of 1980s Birmingham
Back to Brummie — In the late 1980s, photographer Richard Davis set forth documenting Birmingham's working-class neighbourhoods and spotlighting injustices that were too often ignored.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Birmingham’s independent art scene is fighting for its life
Another casualty — Digbeth, which lies just west of HS2’s Phase One development site, faces an existential threat in the face of rising rents, changing demographics and government cuts.
Written by: Luke Charnley
Dispatches from Birmingham’s Supreme Cat Show
No vaping please — ‘Like an IKEA for cats’: photographer Joe Hart heads to the most prestigious event on the UK’s feline calendar.
Written by: Huck
The crisis of masculinity facing young British Muslims
You Get Me? — Photographer Mahtab Hussain has spent years exploring what it means to be a young British Muslim, looking at race and representation, respect and cultural difference in a community under attack.
Written by: Michael Segalov
Why WFMU is the craziest indie radio station on your dial
Surreal sounds at 91.1 FM — WFMU is what truly independent radio sounds like - and it’s batshit insane. Director Tim K. Smith talks about his documentary Sex and Broadcasting: The Story of WFMU.
Written by: Alex King
Five reasons Flatpack is the UK's most innovative film festival
Birmingham's DIY cinema extravaganza — From Oculus Rift installations to internet cats, there really is no film festival out there quite like Flatpack. We spoke to programmer Sam Groves to uncover the method behind the madness.
Written by: George Kafka
The best alternative music videos
Flatpack Festival London warm up — Programmer Sam Groves picks out his favourite alternative music videos from the UK’s most awesome DIY cinema fest: Flatpack Film Festival.
Written by: Alex King
Bring to Light
Adventurous Music — Experimental music festival Bring to Light kicks off in Birmingham this weekend so we spoke to co-founder Lisa Meyer to see what's up.
Written by: Alex King
King Adz
New Foodies — Street food connoisseur King Adz introduces a legendary local curry spot in Manchester.
Written by: HUCK HQ
