Birmingham 81
@birmingham81.bsky.social
Music, architecture, photography, design etc. Sharing my concert photos taken in Birmingham in 81/82 (hence the name). Plus other stuff I've hoarded
This week’s best and most random charity shop find - a nice copy of Lovers of Today by Ewart Williams, an extremely rare 1970s soul single from Canada. Only three sold on Discogs for an average of £50+
▶️ youtu.be/5MEdB9PkuXg
▶️ youtu.be/5MEdB9PkuXg
December 2, 2025 at 7:22 PM
This week’s best and most random charity shop find - a nice copy of Lovers of Today by Ewart Williams, an extremely rare 1970s soul single from Canada. Only three sold on Discogs for an average of £50+
▶️ youtu.be/5MEdB9PkuXg
▶️ youtu.be/5MEdB9PkuXg
Another excellent evening at @rnrbook-club.bsky.social featuring two films of A Certain Ratio in NYC in 1980, sounding and looking so great. @davehaslam.bsky.social led the fascinating discussion with Merrill Aldighieri, who shot the show at Hurrah, and with @acertainratio.bsky.social themselves
December 2, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Another excellent evening at @rnrbook-club.bsky.social featuring two films of A Certain Ratio in NYC in 1980, sounding and looking so great. @davehaslam.bsky.social led the fascinating discussion with Merrill Aldighieri, who shot the show at Hurrah, and with @acertainratio.bsky.social themselves
Perfect day out in sunny Margate yesterday: lunch at Sargasso; Bridget Riley at the Turner Contemporary; and Counter Editions at Carl Freedman
December 1, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Perfect day out in sunny Margate yesterday: lunch at Sargasso; Bridget Riley at the Turner Contemporary; and Counter Editions at Carl Freedman
Remembering Billy Paul and Lou Rawls, born on this day in 1934 and 1933 respectively. Now playing Philadelphia International’s Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto LP, which features both of them
▶️ open.spotify.com/album/2psrWv...
▶️ open.spotify.com/album/2psrWv...
December 1, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Remembering Billy Paul and Lou Rawls, born on this day in 1934 and 1933 respectively. Now playing Philadelphia International’s Let’s Clean Up The Ghetto LP, which features both of them
▶️ open.spotify.com/album/2psrWv...
▶️ open.spotify.com/album/2psrWv...
On the way to see Squeeze, we stopped off at Deal’s fab Smugglers Records to catch Itchy Teeth promoting their ace new single 1989
▶️ open.spotify.com/album/1iGCWJ...
The Margate band are fronted by Xav and Charlie who also play in Mozart Estate, so we’ll be seeing them again on Friday
▶️ open.spotify.com/album/1iGCWJ...
The Margate band are fronted by Xav and Charlie who also play in Mozart Estate, so we’ll be seeing them again on Friday
November 30, 2025 at 11:01 PM
On the way to see Squeeze, we stopped off at Deal’s fab Smugglers Records to catch Itchy Teeth promoting their ace new single 1989
▶️ open.spotify.com/album/1iGCWJ...
The Margate band are fronted by Xav and Charlie who also play in Mozart Estate, so we’ll be seeing them again on Friday
▶️ open.spotify.com/album/1iGCWJ...
The Margate band are fronted by Xav and Charlie who also play in Mozart Estate, so we’ll be seeing them again on Friday
Very special treat to see Squeeze play at the intimate Astor Theatre in Deal tonight as a warm-up ahead of their stadium tour with Madness. They sounded fantastic and the hits kept on flowing
November 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Very special treat to see Squeeze play at the intimate Astor Theatre in Deal tonight as a warm-up ahead of their stadium tour with Madness. They sounded fantastic and the hits kept on flowing
#WeekendSingles by Fashion, PragVEC, Mike Scott, The Waterboys, The Action, Gifted Children, Sparks, Bert Jansch, Stevie Wonder, Coati Mundi, Big Youth, Doll by Doll, Yeah Yeah Noh, Tony Scott, Grace Jones, Def Jef, Jerry Harrison, Motor Boys Motor, Tom Verlaine, Dillinger, The Pogues
November 30, 2025 at 9:12 AM
#WeekendSingles by Fashion, PragVEC, Mike Scott, The Waterboys, The Action, Gifted Children, Sparks, Bert Jansch, Stevie Wonder, Coati Mundi, Big Youth, Doll by Doll, Yeah Yeah Noh, Tony Scott, Grace Jones, Def Jef, Jerry Harrison, Motor Boys Motor, Tom Verlaine, Dillinger, The Pogues
Happy 70th birthday to Billy Idol
youtu.be/HnDLgNxaEqA
youtu.be/HnDLgNxaEqA
Your Generation - Generation X (Marc Bolan show - EQ'd)
YouTube video by Reavsey Reavsey
youtu.be
November 30, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Happy 70th birthday to Billy Idol
youtu.be/HnDLgNxaEqA
youtu.be/HnDLgNxaEqA
This is a great mix and they’re back at @thesociallondon.bsky.social on 21 March 🎟️ ra.co/events/2315504
When the @ono-ch1.bsky.social returned to the Social this month they were asked if they wanted to takeover the bar too.
This gave rise to The #BarTrax Collective featuring
Me & Lou B2B
@julesfoddy.bsky.social & @gerryoberry.bsky.social
And @fishy808.bsky.social
www.mixcloud.com/bartrax/the-...
This gave rise to The #BarTrax Collective featuring
Me & Lou B2B
@julesfoddy.bsky.social & @gerryoberry.bsky.social
And @fishy808.bsky.social
www.mixcloud.com/bartrax/the-...
The BarTrax Collective at The Social - 08_11_25
When The Social asked the One Night Only crew if they would like to soundtrack the bar as well as the club, the BarTrax collective was formed. This is a live recording of their first takeover....pt1 f...
www.mixcloud.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:44 PM
This is a great mix and they’re back at @thesociallondon.bsky.social on 21 March 🎟️ ra.co/events/2315504
Breathless (A Bout De Souffle) is on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 9:00PM tonight (Saturday)
November 29, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Breathless (A Bout De Souffle) is on @talkingpicturestv.bsky.social at 9:00PM tonight (Saturday)
Reposted by Birmingham 81
Mary Lattimore played a special one off gig in Newquay (she's recording here) which slotted in nicely with my trip down to work on some music. Some guy called Neil Halstead accompanied her on 3 tracks...
November 29, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Mary Lattimore played a special one off gig in Newquay (she's recording here) which slotted in nicely with my trip down to work on some music. Some guy called Neil Halstead accompanied her on 3 tracks...
November 29, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Skaterdater, the first ever skateboard movie 🛹❤️
youtu.be/IhgrkjSyrJU
youtu.be/IhgrkjSyrJU
Skaterdater (1965) | The World's First Skateboard Movie
YouTube video by SurferToday
youtu.be
November 29, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Skaterdater, the first ever skateboard movie 🛹❤️
youtu.be/IhgrkjSyrJU
youtu.be/IhgrkjSyrJU
Happy 50th birthday to this glorious floor-filler
youtu.be/g1_ym09MAks
youtu.be/g1_ym09MAks
November 29, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Happy 50th birthday to this glorious floor-filler
youtu.be/g1_ym09MAks
youtu.be/g1_ym09MAks
Remembering Chris Bailey on his birthday
youtu.be/UJlGBFIIfBo
youtu.be/UJlGBFIIfBo
The Saints (I'm) Stranded HQ
YouTube video by Ed Kuepper
youtu.be
November 29, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Remembering Chris Bailey on his birthday
youtu.be/UJlGBFIIfBo
youtu.be/UJlGBFIIfBo
On this day in 1982, we were watching Kid Creole & The Coconuts from the second row at the Birmingham Odeon. They were amazing - here's a full concert recorded the previous month in Germany
📺🥥🥥▶️ youtu.be/lRAXFTKnK2E
📺🥥🥥▶️ youtu.be/lRAXFTKnK2E
November 28, 2025 at 7:43 PM
On this day in 1982, we were watching Kid Creole & The Coconuts from the second row at the Birmingham Odeon. They were amazing - here's a full concert recorded the previous month in Germany
📺🥥🥥▶️ youtu.be/lRAXFTKnK2E
📺🥥🥥▶️ youtu.be/lRAXFTKnK2E
Reposted by Birmingham 81
The Clientele released Suburban Light on this day in 2000 (28 November 2000). You can replay the listening party (no_753) here:
The Clientele
Suburban Light
timstwitterlisteningparty.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:32 AM
The Clientele released Suburban Light on this day in 2000 (28 November 2000). You can replay the listening party (no_753) here:
Happy 85th birthday to Bruce Channel. Keep on keeping on. This fab LP:
- Went on sale in Woolies in 1968 for 39'6 (£1.98)
- Between then and 1971 it was reduced to 15'6
- In Feb 1971, that 15'6 became 77.5p
- It was then cut to 49p and finally sold for 25p
- I bought it from a charity shop for £1
- Went on sale in Woolies in 1968 for 39'6 (£1.98)
- Between then and 1971 it was reduced to 15'6
- In Feb 1971, that 15'6 became 77.5p
- It was then cut to 49p and finally sold for 25p
- I bought it from a charity shop for £1
November 28, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Happy 85th birthday to Bruce Channel. Keep on keeping on. This fab LP:
- Went on sale in Woolies in 1968 for 39'6 (£1.98)
- Between then and 1971 it was reduced to 15'6
- In Feb 1971, that 15'6 became 77.5p
- It was then cut to 49p and finally sold for 25p
- I bought it from a charity shop for £1
- Went on sale in Woolies in 1968 for 39'6 (£1.98)
- Between then and 1971 it was reduced to 15'6
- In Feb 1971, that 15'6 became 77.5p
- It was then cut to 49p and finally sold for 25p
- I bought it from a charity shop for £1
Reposted by Birmingham 81
I don’t mention this in the new INVENTORY but the Clientele’s version of an obscure Shack/Mick Head song called Closer is one of their most sublime, mysterious and magical recordings. You’re welcome. @backlisted.bsky.social theclientele.bandcamp.com/album/closer
Closer, by The Clientele
1 track album
theclientele.bandcamp.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I don’t mention this in the new INVENTORY but the Clientele’s version of an obscure Shack/Mick Head song called Closer is one of their most sublime, mysterious and magical recordings. You’re welcome. @backlisted.bsky.social theclientele.bandcamp.com/album/closer
Now playing this new EP by Adrian Sherwood, African Head Charge and Speakers Corner Quartet. Looking forward to seeing them all at the Barbican in February
▶️🔊 adriansherwood.bandcamp.com/album/barbic...
▶️🔊 adriansherwood.bandcamp.com/album/barbic...
Barbican Heights, by Adrian Sherwood, African Head Charge & Speakers Corner Quartet
4 track album
adriansherwood.bandcamp.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Now playing this new EP by Adrian Sherwood, African Head Charge and Speakers Corner Quartet. Looking forward to seeing them all at the Barbican in February
▶️🔊 adriansherwood.bandcamp.com/album/barbic...
▶️🔊 adriansherwood.bandcamp.com/album/barbic...
A very cool Fiat 850 Sport spotted in Modena last week
November 27, 2025 at 9:40 PM
A very cool Fiat 850 Sport spotted in Modena last week
Lawrence (Felt / Denim / Mozart Estate) is going to be at the new Circle & Star Theatre in Hampstead on 19 December, spinning some of his fave 45s and discussing them with Steve Furst and Martin Green. Tickets are a tenner
🎟️ www.tickettailor.com/events/circl...
🎟️ www.tickettailor.com/events/circl...
November 27, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Lawrence (Felt / Denim / Mozart Estate) is going to be at the new Circle & Star Theatre in Hampstead on 19 December, spinning some of his fave 45s and discussing them with Steve Furst and Martin Green. Tickets are a tenner
🎟️ www.tickettailor.com/events/circl...
🎟️ www.tickettailor.com/events/circl...
Reposted by Birmingham 81
Lamplight is getting more free though still anchored in D
The Clientele were magical at St Pancras Old Church last night, treating us to lots of deep cuts plus the whole of their brilliant Violet Hour LP, which has just been reissued by @mergerecords.bsky.social. @theclientele.bsky.social youtu.be/l0VsQdSmQ9g
The Clientele - Lamplight - live at St Pancras Old Church, November 2025
YouTube video by Birmingham 81
youtu.be
November 27, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Lamplight is getting more free though still anchored in D
Last week we visited Aldo Rossi's surreal San Cataldo Cemetery in Modena. Here's a thread of photos of his unfinished postmodern masterpiece (THREAD)
November 27, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Last week we visited Aldo Rossi's surreal San Cataldo Cemetery in Modena. Here's a thread of photos of his unfinished postmodern masterpiece (THREAD)