The NME said some nice things about this here city in an article called ‘The Rise of Birmingham’. It’s not online (that I can tell) but the good people of Troumaca have scanned it so you can have a read then dash down to your local newsagent to read quotes such as:

the city has quietly (and undisturbed) fostered a genuinely exciting DIY music scene

and

Brum can stake a claim as the hottest place in UK indie

The folks who got mentions are:

• Bands: Peace, Swim Deep, Troumaca, The Carpels, The Bombergs, Two Fathoms, Bombers, Greg Bird & Flamingo Flame, Prisms, Victories At Sea, Heavy Waves, Jaws
• Promoters: This Is Tomorrow, Atta Girl, Likely Lads (anyone got a link?), Chicks Dig Jerks
• Venues: Hare and Hounds, The Rainbow, The Victoria, The Sunflower Lounge

Here’s Pete Ashton’s post from the last time they wrote an article like this, with links to all the bands from back then.

While I’m embarking on this brief foray into musicland, here are a couple of videos. First up is one from Poppy & The Jezebels:

and here’s an advert for Friends of the Stars’ fried chicken seasoning: