Jamaica Live was an Open Weekend event to celebrate the London 2012 Games and Birmingham’s selection as host for the Jamaican Olympic team, including the fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt. The event took place in Victoria Square in Birmingham on Saturday July 23^rd 2011. Over this 8 hour event there was 32,000 people in attendance and 3,000 people in the square at any given moment.

Jamaica Live! Activities Included:

• Our main star of the day was Reggae Reggae sauce icon Levi Roots who performed and did a live jerk chicken cooking demonstration on the main stage.
• Performances included Steel Pulse tribute Pulse Beat, The Reaggae Philomonic Orchestra, gospel singer Monique and included a surprise performance from the legendary Dawn Penn!
• Family-friendly comedy from TV’s Annette Fagon, Toju and Tony Hendricks, as well as spoken word artists in our story tent.
• Drumming workshops; Jamaican style. Visitors joined in with our collective drumming groups.
• Freshly-cooked Islands-style food available from local Caribbean chefs and vendors on site.

This celebration of Jamaican culture, food, and arts, was a great warm-up for events happening this year in honour of the teams’ presence in the city.

Punch Records welcome Usain Bolt and the Jamaican Olympics Team to Birmingham!

The Rainbow Complex, 160 Digbeth High Street,
Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0LD

Tickets £20

Birmingham’s No. 1 Reggae Festival returns: bigger and better!

Reggae City returns on Saturday the 2nd of June to once again bring outdoor stages, lush PAs and a taste of the Caribbean to the streets of Birmingham. Presenting the finest international artists, alongside the best of contemporary West Midlands and UK talent, there is nothing like the real Reggae City! Celebrating 50 years of Jamaican independence with conscious sounds, peace and harmony in mind, ital foods, market stalls and live art across 3 venues. Heavy weight sounds, serious décor and a ramajam line-up, Birmingham will once more lively up itself for the super long Jubilee weekend!

Following last year’s legendary performance from Jamaican superstar Luciano, Reggae City 2012 brings you one of the finest reggae bands on the planet; The Twinkle Brothers, live and direct from Jamaica to headline Venue 1. Midlands legends and international stars, The Beat also appear on the same stage, with other artists from Brazil, Spain and France and the UK. Venue 2, “The Roadblock” is the outdoor stage, the roadway will rumble and the arches will wobble to the reggae influenced new generation sounds of Jungle, Dubstep and Hip-Hop and headlined by jungle don Congo Natty! Whilst Venue 3 celebrates 50 years of Jamaican independence, with DJs & MCs tracing the history of and evolution of Jamaican music during this time. For more info and press  email info@reggaecity.co.uk. 

To buy tickets click here, and for more information on Reggae City click here. This festival is produced by Kamble Events LTD, (Shambala Festival, St Paul’s carnival).

Free

The Bogle….Dutty Wine….Pon the River, Pon the Bank…Signal the Plane….Heel Toe  are just some of the dances you can be apart of during BASS Festival 2012!

Sticky Toffee studios is taking dancehall to the streets of Birmingham! Toffee and the Tru StreetDance crew will perform flash mobs across Birmingham and teach the  public about the origins of Jamaican dance and culture.  The series of flashmobs are sure to surprise shoppers. Don’t be shy and just watch! Get involved and learn some of the latest bashment moves.

Ikeela Sealey aka Toffee balances a career as a dance teacher, choreographer,  along with running a community interest company, Tru
Streetdance,  and Sticky Toffee Ltd.  In 2007 Toffee won the Youth Dance England Choreographer of the year award acknowledging her talent and dedication to the performing art industry. Currently, she is a champion and judge for  Desi Moves, the UK’s First Desi  Dance Competition.  Toffee is a talented young lady that has 10 years experience working within the dance and performing arts industry and has worked with numerous high profile brands throughout her career including Tony & Guy, the BBC, Channel 4 and the NHS.

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

Known as RTillery, RTizzy, RTiculate or RTKAL……. This Birmingham born grime artist has been gaining fans and impressing audiences across the UK for the pass few years. His diverse flow and cunning lyrics has made one of one of the country’s up and coming artist.  His presence on BCC 1xtra Fire in the booth, has increased his popularity and showcased  his talents. Yet, RTKAL is more than a grime artist he has a host of talents ranging from recorded music, live shows, hosting raves,  and spoken word/theatre performance.

As apart of,  ’Showtime’ RTKAL will be performing amidst some of  the UK’s most promising and exciting stars.  The Showtime concept is being brought to Birmingham by The Heatwave. For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

“All These Other Fellas Are So Swag On Mic It’s A Shame

Who The Most Talented Man Round The Manor

With X Amount Of Brand New Flows They Can’t Manage

 I’m Living Hip Hop Spit Grime And Flow Ragga”

The author of the above lyrics is DURRTY GOODZ and the newest artist to be apart of BASS Festival 2012.

Durrty Goodz is known for his versatility, which is evident in his ability to rap on grime, hip hop, bashment, and R&B beats. His witty lines and great flow have won him many new fans over the years, and he is one of the best and talented MCs to grace the scene. He is known for the heavy basslines which he spits over, and the crossover to dubstep; although grime is the genre  that many of his fans favour him spitting over.

He was named Best MC by Kool FM, which led to his recognition in the London underground music scene, and from there was signed to Universal Records. He left Universal, but will be releasing his first album ‘Overall’ on May 16th.

As apart of,  ’Showtime’ Durrty Goodz will be performing amidst some of  the UK’s most promising and exciting stars.  The Showtime concept is being brought to Birmingham by The Heatwave. For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

On Day 9 of our release, Punch is excited to announce another artist that will be apart of BASS Festival and will perform at the All-Star event, ‘Showtime’.

RODNEY P 

RODNEY P entered the UK hip hop scene in the 1980s and started out as a member of the London Posse, one of the UK’s first home grown hip hop acts who were highly influential in the development of the industry. Rodney P has had one of the longest and most respected careers in UK hip hop.

The decision to guard his creative control led to the birth of his own label Riddim killa, a collaboration with Low Life Records. Rodney P is currently the host of the television series Dubplate Drama shown on Channel 4, E4 and MySpace.In 2011, he provided the voice of the animated rapper in a television advert for the Toyota Yaris.

As apart of,  ’Showtime’ Gappy will be performing amidst some of  the UK’s most promising and exciting stars.  The Showtime concept is being brought to Birmingham by The Heatwave. For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

Birmingham’s own and one of the hottest female MC’s in the UK, RoXXXan, will be taking the stage at The Heatwave’s Reggae/Dancehall rave spectacular, ’Showtime’.  New to the grime music scene, she has already created hits such as  ‘Tear‘ and ‘Too ‘F**king Facety‘  to solidified her place. Her sharp flow and punch hitting lyrics has brought her much popularity and has allowed her to hold her own in front of any MC, male or female. Her unique stage present and amazing flow has captured audiences across the UK. RoXXXan was apart of  BBC 1xtra UK Female Allstars ‘Rock The Mic’ and was recently a highlight of the Jamaica Live Tour.

Some of  the UK’s most promising and exciting young stars will be performing at ‘Showtime’ and Punch is excited to add RoXXXan  to the already impressive roster. Some of the other artist that will be performing are:

Durrty Goodz 

Rodney P

Gappy Ranks 

Lady Leshurr

The Showtime concept is being brought to Birmingham by The Heatwave. For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

Thursday 12^th July 2012, 5 pm

The Drum

FREE

As the first week of BASS festival line-up release comes to a close, we are honoring yet another great Reggae group.  Punch Records, welcomes you to join us for a FREE panel discussion: Tune on: UK Pioneers. Adding already to the distinct panel, will members of MUSICAL YOUTH.

Musical Youth are a British reggae band that are renowned  for their successful 1982 single “Pass the Dutchie“, which has become a number 1 hit across the world. The band recorded two studio albums, and released a number of successful singles throughout 1982 and 1983, including a collaboration with Donna Summer. Musical Youth earned a Grammy Award nomination in 1985 and returned to the music scene in 2001 as a duo.

The Tuned On panel will take a look back at the energy of British reggae musicians and their contributions to the development of the popularity of the music in the UK, Europe, and beyond.  The panel will celebrate the musicians of the 70’s & 80’s, while reminiscing and re-living the crucial period in the growth of black music here in the UK.

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

We are proud to announce another artist that will be performing at The Heatwave’s Reggae/Dancehall rave spectacular, ’Showtime’…..GAPPY RANKS.  Gappy Ranks was born and raised in Harlesden NW 10. In the last year, he has become one of the most popular UK Dancehall stars with the release of his second LP titled ‘Thanks & Praise‘.  His modern reggae and dancehall vibes can be felt on tracks like ‘Tun Up‘ and has attracted audiences across the world. Gappy has headlined shows in Europe, Asia, & USA!   He is currently lined up for festival appearances at Best of the Best, Summer Jam Festival, Reggae Sun Ska, Reggae Geel and most important BASS FEESTIVAL 2012!

As apart of,  ’Showtime’ Gappy will be performing amidst some of  the UK’s most promising and exciting young stars.  The Showtime concept is being brought to Birmingham by The Heatwave.   Durrty Goodz , Rodney P, & Lady Leshurr are just some of the   live performances from local legends and up-and-coming West Midlands stars that will be showcased.

For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

The Showdown is fast approaching on (Friday 18 May 2012) and we are anticipating a great show and are very excited for the night. Six fierce dance acts of Bhangra, Bollywood, Giddha, Hip-hop and Bashment styles will battle it out to claim the title of Best Desi Mover, a prize of £1000, an opportunity to perform at the Sandwell & Birmingham Mela in front of a 50k plus audience and that ultimate prize, the Desi Moves 2012 trophy.

 Signature,  Worlds #1 Micheal Jackson Tribute Act & Britain’s Got Talent finalists, were scheduled to give a performance, but were pulled away to another event of the Cultural  Olympics.  We are thrilled to added  an amazing choreographer, actor, model, teacher, and Bollywood performer……. Karan Pangali. As a leading artist in the field of East & West dance fusion, we are excited to have him apart of Desi Moves

The night will be hosted by the infamous Desi duo Raj and Pablo from BBC Asian Network who will bring their comedic charm  and loveable personalities to keep you entertained all night.

Entertainment and music at its best will also be provided by Capital FM’s Sacha Brooks who’s guaranteed to warm you up with a great DJ set.

And if thats not enough the competition will be judged by the best in the bizz including: Honey of Honey’s Bollywood Dance Academy, Foji Gill and Toffee of Sticky Toffee Dance who has left a little message for everyone below.

This is a great opportunity for you to experience the London 2012 Olympics fever and to really see mass participation.Its definitely going to be an entertaining jam packed show which won’t let you down! So don’t hang around get your tickets now!!

From the Birmingham Town Hall - 0121 345 0600
Ticket prices: £6-£12 (discounts available)
Suitable for all ages

Tickets are also available on Chilli Tickets

SHOW STARTS AND 6PM AND FINSHES AT 9PM

To keep up to date with all info and be in the know about Desi Moves like our Facebook page

For further information contact Punch on 0121 224 7444 or email info@punch-records.co.uk

£10 Early-bird tickets to be announced soon

We are proud to announce that one of Birmingham’s rising star’s Lady Leshurr is part of BASS Festival 2012. In the last year, Lady Leshurr has been catapulted to national success and is now viewed as one of the most exciting urban artists in the UK. Her uniquely sounding flow has an instantly likeable appeal, complimented by a melodic singing voice and harmonies that just pour off her tongue. Her commercial style is backed up and accompanied by fast-paced and, at times, fierce lyrics; Leshurr can literally spit on anything. Her recent cover of the Chris Brown/Busta Rhymes collab “Look At Me Now” has become a global phenomenon, amassing in excess of 100,000 hits in half a day on www.worldstarhiphop.com.

She will be performing at The Heatwave’s Reggae/Dancehall rave spectacular, ‘Showtime.’ The Heatwave are known for throwing mad parties, and last year’s Showtime event in east London was madder than most. But Showtime was more than just a party. It was an explosion of UK music history, bringing together legends from every era of UK rave music to share the mic and spit lyrics over classic dancehall riddims, paying homage to Jamaican soundsystem culture.

As part of the 2012 BASS festival, The Heatwave bring the Showtime concept to Birmingham, with magical live performances from local legends and up-and-coming West Midlands stars alongside London guests including Durrty Goodz and Rodney P.

For further information about Showtime and The Heatwave, click here.

Tuned On

Thursday 12^th July 2012, 5 pm

The Drum

FREE

Day 4 we are taking a look back at the great musicians that paved the way. In honour of this spirit, Punch Records, welcomes you to join us for a FREE panel discussion: Tune on: UK Pioneers. Our distinct panel will be made up of members of STEEL PULSE.

Steel Pulse is a roots reggae musical band, from Handsworth .The group originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, in Birmingham and is composed of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals), and Ronald McQueen (bass). With 35 + years of experience in the music industry the members will bring incredible wisdom and knowledge on the inner workings of the music industry during the 70′s & 80′s.

The Tuned On panel will take a look back at the energy of British reggae musicians and their contributions to the development of the popularity of the music in the UK, Europe, and beyond.  The panel will celebrate the musicians of the 70’s & 80’s, while reminiscing and re-living the crucial period in the growth of black music here in the UK

Saturday 23^rd June 2012, 9 pm

Sunday 24th June 2012, 2pm

The Victoria, Birmingham

£5 ON THE DOOR

BASS Festival won’t be BASS Festival without some bass. On Day 3 of our official line up release, Punch presents AN EVENING WITH ONE OF THE WORLDS GREATEST DUB SOUND SYSTEM…..CHANNEL ONE. Join us at The Victoria for a once in a lifetime experience to see these legends live and in person. Get ready for a great night of illustrious sounds and a remarkable party. Make sure to get there early, because this party is sure the fill up fast!

The fun doesn’t stop there! Come back out on Sunday for our ROASTS ‘N’ RECORDS event. Meet and greet Channel One Sound System, while enjoying an unique Jamaican menu provided by the incredible team of Soul Food Project. Come on out and jam to the tunes of reggae, dub, rocksteady and lovers, while enjoying drink specials and exclusive cocktails. A great event for your entire family!

Respek Vanley

Saturday 7th July 2012 3pm

The Midland Arts Center (MAC)

FREE

Day 2 release of the official line up for BASS Festival 2012! Yesterday we highlighted one of our amazing music artists, and today we feature another artist… VANLEY BURKE.  Musician Bobbie Gardner is creating as unique concert, featuring a reggae band, classical musicians and school children, inspired by this UK  black documentary photographer. Vanley Burke is regard as the UK’s most important documentary photographer and this event will commence a year long celebration of his work.

He was there at African Liberation Day in 1977, Handsworth park, where the biggest all-black crowd gathered in Britian.

He was also there in 1981 and 1985 when Birmingham’s streets erupted in violent riots.

Vanley’s amazing work has been exhibited extensively across the UK and abroad. With solo exhibitions in New York, Mall and closer to home at the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, The Black Arts Gallery in London Cornerhouse in Manchester, amongst others. The photographs have also been displayed in locations more easily accessed by black audiences including pubs, clubs, community centres, churches and schools.*

*Provided by http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/your_community/bhm/vanley_burke.shtml

Friday 13th July 2012, 9pm – 2am

Hare & Hounds, King Heath

£15 ADVANCE MORE ON THE DOOR

Punch is proud to release the official line-up for BASS Festival 2012!  This year we have a fantastic line up of events and music gigs, with a host of exiting, cutting edge, and establish artists. A true highlight of the festival is  JUNIOR MURVIN with a full live band.  He will be performing his hit Police And Thieves on July 13^th. Join us this day for an amazing concert and party. Make sure to get your tickets early, because this event is sure to sell OUT! 

Junior Murvin achieved fame as the falsetto singer of “Police And Thieves“ which was an international hit for him and innovative reggae production artiste Lee “Scratch” Perry. The song has been covered by artists as diverse as The Clash and Boy George, and he has maintained his profile over twenty years after it was made.

In the dancehalls Junior Murvin has scored with hits: the ultra easy skank of “Miss Kushie”, the seminal “Cool Out Son”, and others like “I’m In Love”, “Bad Man Posse” and “Muggers In The Street”; releasing enough material to maintain his reputation, without ever flooding the market.

In late 1998 London-based Dubwise Productions were visiting Port Antonio in Jamaica where they were introduced to Junior Murvin. This led to the recording of the solid “Wise Man”, currently available on a 10″ single. *

*Biography provided by http://www.reggae-vibes.com/concert/juniorm/juniormu.htm