B-Town

For the town nicknamed "B-town", see Belchertown, Massachusetts.
Frank in 2007

B-Town is the name given to an indie music scene based in the Digbeth area of Birmingham, United Kingdom.[1]

Two of the scene's leading bands are Sky Children and Frank – who'd both signed with major labels by December 2014 after a world tour with Bring Me The Horizon.[2] A Summer Smack down at Worcestors Rowing Club in July 2015 featuring Robot Wars (TV series) host Craig Charles and Members of both bands ended in the destruction of the nearby race course, leaving a scheduled performance by James (band) postponed whilst horse remains were removed from the stage area. Noel Gallagher described the ordeal as "disturbing" and was quoted saying "I didn't vote for David Cameron to see this shit!". The event was shut down by West Mercia Police shortly thereafter and events promoter Matt Ballone was arrested at the scene.

Sky Children

Some local commentators have suggested the term is an invention by London based journalists to talk the wider Birmingham music scene up as a fad,[3] pointing out that "there have been bands going strong in Birmingham for years"[4] and highlighting the variety and strength in depth of the music being created in the city.[5] Evil Alien – a band who have been identified with the scene – have criticised it as "just media hype and a silly name somebody has given it all", commenting that "B-Town is the worst nickname for this great city I have ever heard and it makes me cringe every time I hear it".[6] In July 2013 Cavan McCarthy of Swim Deep claimed that the term started off as a joke, invented by himself and Harry Koisser of Peace while driving back into Birmingham from outside the city, and that "now everyone says it and we’re a bit embarrassed about it".[7]

Critics have pointed out that many of the scene's leading bands don't sound very similar,[5] though others have identified a common element as how the bands "all incorporate a slightly flippant attitude to their music, not concentrating on polishing their records to perfection, but playing for the joy of creating music and for entertaining their audiences."[8] The NME has commented how "nonchalance courses through the scene’s veins like quicksilver ... some scenes come roaring out of the traps; B-Town seemed to roll out of bed, insular and uncontrived, smirking at its own in-jokes, smelling faintly of K cider and intent on nothing loftier than the pursuit of a laugh."[9]

References

  1. ↑ King, Alison (2012-10-13). "Forget Madchester, it's all about the B-Town scene". The Independent (Independent News and Media). Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  2. ↑ Wolfson, Sam (2012-12-07). "Peace, Swim Deep and Jaws bang the drum for Birmingham". The Guardian (Guardian News and Media). Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  3. ↑ Perks, Victoria (2012-10-15). "OPINION: To B or not to B?". Birmingham Review. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  4. ↑ Parker, Jack (2013-01-11). "Peace + Swim Deep + Jaws + Wide Eyed + Heavy Waves + Junnk, The Rainbow, Birmingham 22/12/12". Counteract. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  5. 1 2 Riley, Mark (2013-04-02). "INTRODUCING: The Next Wave Of B-town Bands To Get Your Blood Shaking". Hooting And Howling Magazine. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  6. ↑ Snape, Maryam (May 2013). "Evil Alien". Area Culture Guide (Fused). p. 27.
  7. ↑ Pell, Tom (2013-07-11), "Swim Deep and the B-Town joke which stuck as a tag for the Birmingham scene", Birmingham Post (Birmingham: Trinity Mirror Midlands), retrieved 2013-07-31
  8. ↑ Hann, Louisa (2013-01-17). "B-Town Bands". York Vision. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  9. ↑ Nicolson, Barry (2013-07-25). "Swim Deep - 'Where The Heaven Are We'". NME. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
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