A meet up for guitarists of all levels and styles to socialise and jam together. Free to take part: we just ask that you buy a drink to support the business.
A six-week performance course for aspiring vocalists
Starting Thursday 10th September 2026
We all sound great in the shower…but are you ready to bring your voice to the stage? Have you always dreamed of performing but struggled with nerves or knowing where to start? From the Shower to the Stage is a supportive six-week course designed to help singers build confidence, develop stagecraft, and create a practical action plan for performing live.
Join us at BPM Cafe to showcase and celebrate all the students at Shades! Once you have signed up, be sure to let your teacher know so you can be preparing something to perform. Any questions, speak to your teacher, or Kamil/Liz when you are next in.
The No Covers Club is a monthly grass-roots live music event based in the Midlands, (primarily around Birmingham), dedicated exclusively to showcasing original music and poetry. The club began in February 2017 and will be celebrating its tenth anniversary of sharing live music in February 2027.Key Characteristics of the Club The “No Covers” Rule: As it says on the tin, performers are strictly prohibited from playing cover songs. Every set must consist entirely of original material written by the performing artists.
The Format is simple; it functions as a specialized open mic or curated “Songwriters Night” and includes an ironic playlist quiz between change overs. The compere is Manny McKenzie, self-proclaimed frustrated songwriter with a protracted mid-life crisis.
Events are generally free entry or “pay as you feel”, aimed at growing a natural, organic community ecosystem where local, independent artists can share new material, network, and safely test out unreleased songs in front of an appreciative audience.
Rather than operating out of a single brick-and-mortar headquarters, it moves across various quirky, independent pubs and creative hubs in the region such as The BPM Café.
September and October will see the NCC hosted by BPM Café, the intimate music venue, a dynamic hybrid space where music and cafe culture merge.
Turn up with your instrument, and maybe a few songs in mind that you’d like to jam out with other musicians. Happy to chat in advance if you want to see which other instruments will be there, etc… Either pop in for a chat, email bp*****@************co.uk or message us on social media.
Come and paint with Ki, The Arty Chameleon! Each month she will create an artwork based around a song title from a midlands band and walk you through the steps to re-create your own version.
Tickets available via eventbrite or directly from Ki.
The Arty Chameleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheArtyChameleon
Sign up for a short performance as a band or solo artist (3 songs/15 minute max).
Email bp*****@************co.uk to sign up in advance and let us know of any sound tech requirements (PA, mics, drum kit, bass amp and keyboard are available to use).
Backing tracks are allowed if they are self-produced/your own work – speak to us if you have any questions around this.
There must be a responsible adult present for anyone under 18.
Free Entry
15 mins/3 song slots available to perform – simply turn up, or if you’re keen to secure a slot in advance then pop in for a chat, email us on
bp*****@************co.uk or message us on social media.
Karaoke with a live twist: be accompanied by real-life musicians on stage while you sing your favourite tunes! There will be a song list you can choose from, but we can accommodate special song requests if sent two weeks in advance of the session to give our musicians time to learn them.
Tickets £8.50
Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tom Martin came of age at a time of strife and violence, when “The Troubles” were raging. He plied his trade as a boxer, but found he was more a poet than a warrior. As a young man he set out, armed with a guitar and a handful of songs, to explore the world and make his mark as a musician and lyricist.
Working at a variety of jobs – busking, construction, truck driving and even grave digging in the Midlands of England, Tom crafted his songs and honed his musical skills, weaving the people, places and life situations he experienced into musical poetry – essentially and perhaps instinctively following in the ancient tradition of the seanchaithe – itinerant bards of Ireland whose stock in trade was verse, song and musicianship.
His travels have taken him far afield, from the wilds of Kenya to the streets of London, throughout Europe and the British Isles, to the Mississippi Delta and the bayous of Louisiana, through the mountains of Virginia and into the heart of New York City.
His motto: “Keep on keeping on.”
£6 adv. / £8 OTD
Wistful Thinking play popular covers from the 60s onwards, including some rock n roll, Motown and blues.
Free Entry
The No Covers Club is a monthly grass-roots live music event based in the Midlands, (primarily around Birmingham), dedicated exclusively to showcasing original music and poetry. The club began in February 2017 and will be celebrating its tenth anniversary of sharing live music in February 2027.Key Characteristics of the Club The “No Covers” Rule: As it says on the tin, performers are strictly prohibited from playing cover songs. Every set must consist entirely of original material written by the performing artists.
The Format is simple; it functions as a specialized open mic or curated “Songwriters Night” and includes an ironic playlist quiz between change overs. The compere is Manny McKenzie, self-proclaimed frustrated songwriter with a protracted mid-life crisis.
Events are generally free entry or “pay as you feel”, aimed at growing a natural, organic community ecosystem where local, independent artists can share new material, network, and safely test out unreleased songs in front of an appreciative audience.
Rather than operating out of a single brick-and-mortar headquarters, it moves across various quirky, independent pubs and creative hubs in the region such as The BPM Café.
September and October will see the NCC hosted by BPM Café, the intimate music venue, a dynamic hybrid space where music and cafe culture merge.
Jess Brett
Minimums
Naomi Dawes
Tekno Driver
Join us for the return to BPM Cafe of the dynamic and inspiring Jess Brett, bringing her unique synth pop sound, influenced by new wave and post punk sounds and attitudes. Accompanying Jess on stage will be the duo Minimums, with their sweet sounds and sweeping strings, and local artist Naomi Dawes, whose music could be described as ethereal electronic indie soul with a dash of hip-hop. Tekno Driver will finish the night with some lively beats to round off the evening.
Pricing: £12.50 advance (£15 OTD) – Two for £20 with the Techno Night
Turn up with your instrument, and maybe a few songs in mind that you’d like to jam out with other musicians. Happy to chat in advance if you want to see which other instruments will be there, etc… Either pop in for a chat, email bp*****@************co.uk or message us on social media.
3 songwriters on stage together, acoustically performing their original songs one at a time in an ever-circling song roundabout:
Abi Budgen
Steve Ison
Joe Smith
Friday 30th October – 8pm
Free Entry
Join us for live music from Djabbic 3, Liars At The Witch Trial and Lily-Maye to celebrate the darkest of nights this Halloween! We welcome all ghouls, ghosts and demon hosts with fancy dress very much encouraged.
Brum-based band DJABBIC 3 merge slabs of fuzzy bass, dirty beats and seductive vocals, creating a solid sound of post grunge sensibilia. Psychedelic, disco undertones filter through their energetic heavy sound.
Liars At The Witch Trial are a two-piece Birmingham based alternative rock, blues and post-punk band with influences of punk, grunge, goth and more.
Tickets £8.50 adv / £10 OTD
Come and paint with Ki, The Arty Chameleon! Each month she will create an artwork based around a song title from a midlands band and walk you through the steps to re-create your own version.
Tickets available via eventbrite or directly from Ki.
The Arty Chameleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheArtyChameleon
Best Boy Electric
pH<7
Spryt Electra
Scott Rowley
Best Boy Electric curates an evening of live techno. Performed with hardware synthesizers, sequencers and samplers, this lineup features four of the most cutting-edge artists in the UK electronic scene.
Pricing: £12.50 advance (£15 OTD) – Two for £20 with the Electronica Night
Sign up for a short performance as a band or solo artist (3 songs/15 minute max).
Email bp*****@************co.uk to sign up in advance and let us know of any sound tech requirements (PA, mics, drum kit, bass amp and keyboard are available to use).
Backing tracks are allowed if they are self-produced/your own work – speak to us if you have any questions around this.
There must be a responsible adult present for anyone under 18.
Free Entry
15 mins/3 song slots available to perform – simply turn up, or if you’re keen to secure a slot in advance then pop in for a chat, email us on
bp*****@************co.uk or message us on social media.
Karaoke with a live twist: be accompanied by real-life musicians on stage while you sing your favourite tunes! There will be a song list you can choose from, but we can accommodate special song requests if sent two weeks in advance of the session to give our musicians time to learn them.
Tickets £8.50
A brass band with a punk rock ethos, playing originals and covers from a mix of genres that will get you up on your feet dancing!
Tickets – £8 advance (£11 on the door)
Eiledon are a Celtic folk/rock band based in the West Midlands, they play covers of traditional and more contemporary Celtic songs by artists such as The Waterboys, Pogues, The Dubliners, Planxty, Van Morrison, Big Country, U2 and many more. Featuring talented and experienced musicians who have a wealth of experience behind them, Eiledon are guaranteed to give you an evening of great music.
Tickets: £5 adv/ £7 otd
Damian Hursey is a Birmingham-based singer-songwriter and guitarist performing heartfelt originals and varied covers. He combines rhythm and lead guitar with vocal and guitar effects to create a rich, layered sound. His song “Land of Change” was recorded with acclaimed singer-songwriter and producer Dan Whitehouse.
Free Entry
Turn up with your instrument, and maybe a few songs in mind that you’d like to jam out with other musicians. Happy to chat in advance if you want to see which other instruments will be there, etc… Either pop in for a chat, email bp*****@************co.uk or message us on social media.
Come and paint with Ki, The Arty Chameleon! Each month she will create an artwork based around a song title from a midlands band and walk you through the steps to re-create your own version.
Tickets available via eventbrite or directly from Ki.
The Arty Chameleon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheArtyChameleon
Sign up for a short performance as a band or solo artist (3 songs/15 minute max).
Email bp*****@************co.uk to sign up in advance and let us know of any sound tech requirements (PA, mics, drum kit, bass amp and keyboard are available to use).
Backing tracks are allowed if they are self-produced/your own work – speak to us if you have any questions around this.
There must be a responsible adult present for anyone under 18.
Free Entry
15 mins/3 song slots available to perform – simply turn up, or if you’re keen to secure a slot in advance then pop in for a chat, email us on
bp*****@************co.uk or message us on social media.
Karaoke with a live twist: be accompanied by real-life musicians on stage while you sing your favourite tunes! There will be a song list you can choose from, but we can accommodate special song requests if sent two weeks in advance of the session to give our musicians time to learn them.
Tickets £8.50
Turn up with your instrument, and maybe a few songs in mind that you’d like to jam out with other musicians. Happy to chat in advance if you want to see which other instruments will be there, etc… Either pop in for a chat, email bp*****@************co.uk or message us on social media.
Ready for a unique and talented take on a wide range of musical traditions? Claude Bourbon is known throughout Europe and America for amazing guitar performances that take blues, Spanish, and Middle Eastern stylings into uncharted territories.
