Five students, a remote island, and the sequel to a horror classic
'Everyone goes mad towards the end'
culture
The Solihull band that influenced Sonic Youth and Blur
Half a century since Swell Maps burned bright and brief, they’ve come back to life. Ian Francis uncovers a story of genius — and loss
Woon Wing Yip built an empire. Is it in decline?
Once locally beloved and a touchstone for the Chinese disapora, Wing Yip is fading on both fronts
The battle for The Close
A cluster of historic buildings in Selly Oak are at the centre of a row between the University of Birmingham and local residents — and no one is backing down
The hopes and dreams of New Street
The fed-up council are threatening to silence Brum's noisiest street. We went to find out what all the hullabaloo is about
The Cadbury's superfans being left behind
The chocolate's shrunk, Royal approval has been revoked and Bournville's sidelined. Where does Brum's most famous export go from here?
A lost film took Brum's surrealist past with it. Could it be found?
Desmond Morris made one of the only films produced by Birmingham's legendary Surrealists. This is one man's mission to screen it
Port Loop claims to be Birmingham’s ‘best place to live’. Best for whom?
Like all bold developers, Urban Splash are exciting, transformational — and a wee bit controversial
Midlands weirdness meets Afro-Caribbean folklore in Michael D. Kennedy's world
'Did spirits smuggle themselves into suitcases and settle down in Small Heath?'
Twenty years since MG Rover's demise, where is Longbridge now?
'Just because we’ve got nice shiny buildings really means nothing'
The future of Birmingham’s symphony orchestra is uncertain. Can grime help?
'Oh my God, it's actually happening. We're doing this'
With Rembrandt, a bid for relevance?
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is still struggling to find its footing
Sparkbrook’s pigeon plague
Hundreds of birds have descended on south-east Brum. Who's feeding them?
The art of clubbing is dead. In Birmingham, it’s even dead-er
How a city lost its nightlife. And how to bring it back
The sets were wobbly. The budget was non-existent. But Crossroads stands the test of time
‘We opened those doors, had music playing, and we danced in the pouring rain and drank champagne’