“In Moseley and Digbeth, very small numbers of people who happen to live near centers of musical activity might be in real danger of closing down venues which are of benefit to thousands. Its an absurd situation, but all too real for those involved.” From Rich Batsford.
Long preamble to this, but bear with us, it (like all good things do) ends in a song. Here’s what happened: Some people decided to do a Birmingham Twitter Festival. Craig Friends of the Stars offered the band’s services as cover artistes as a raffle prize. Nicky Getgood won that prize. Nicky is obsessed with all things Irish and Digbeth. So she, rather inevitably, chose a traditional Irish song (her favourite, Black Velvet Band) — but being a Brummie, couldn’t let the opportunity to do something special pass. She “butchered the lyrics to reflect the recent Noise Abatement Order problems suffered by The Spotted Dog and The Rainbow“. (Can you pop them online somewhere please, so we can sing along?) And then Craig et al recorded up a storm. A folky storm. And then Nicky put it online and intends to get copies everywhere for the traditional Birmingham green guinness fest in March. I’m not a Irish music fan normally, but this version isn’t all fiddles and yelping it’s smooth and ragged in just the right places. I suggest you play it loud, with due consideration for others. And go and check out the band’s other stuff too. Friends...
I really like The Rainbow — a pub always slightly further up Digbeth High Street than you think it is. I like it when there are bands I like on, I also like it when it’s quiet. It’s quiet in the day a lot, which musn’t make much dosh and it really makes all its money from being what it is — a fantastic live music venue. And that’s the problem it seems. It’s too loud and a (that’s right 1 – reportedly) complaint has been made to Birmingham City Council Environmental Health. But it’s enough to threaten the place with closure. Nicky Digbeth has the full sp. Look at the picture, does the pub look near to anything that might be affected by any amount of noise? Look at this overhead view: Uploaded with plasq‘s Skitch! To the rear (north-ish) of the pub, a warehouse run by the pub, to the west, east: mostly closed commercial premises (which wouldn’t be open at night when the music was on anyway). To the south; a wide dual carriageway and one of those ‘store the junk you’ve...
Dave Harte has found a picture of how the Bull Ring Boat will look this summer: He’s also found details of a ‘Mr Sexy Legs’ competition and the usual music supplied by Galaxy. The boat also has a logo: It’ll be open from noon on the 4th of June. Fans of sand will be glad to know that the Rainbow pub in Digbeth with be having a traditional brummie beach this summer. (Thanks to Tom Scotney for the tip).
