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An absolutely incredible array of talent here, at one of the very best venues in the city.

Doors at 6.45pm. Tickets: http://tinyurl.com/6wdfcmo

7.00: Joseph Hicklin

7.45: I Am Ryan

8.30: New Killer Shoes

9.15: Soldier

10.00: Masters In France

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MASTERS IN FRANCE

"It spans everything from dark, driven rock to almost playful acoustic croonings, anchored by Ed Ellis Jones's smooth baritone." - Nylon Magazine USA

"Sultry and smart indie pop, definitely not from France" - Jamie Hodgson (NME, Observer, Guardian)

"Just an amazing live session, most bands spend two weeks in the studio making sounds like that, the extraordinary Masters in France, going from strength to strength, great live band!" - Tom Robinson (6 Music)

“This band is blowing up right now, not literally!” – Loz Guest (Kerrang! Radio)

"Kasabian swagger, they don't take any nonsense" - Greg James (BBC Radio One)

"Ed Ellis Jones' charismatic vocal delivery is soundly backed by riffs and pounding you would find merrily soundtracking a 12-hour amphetamine sex party. This is danceable, delicious and deadly stuff" - Minature Music Press

"A great band" - Fearne Cotton (BBC Radio One)

"Best thing out of Bangor since the A55" - SWN Festival 2010

http://www.mastersinfrance.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Masters-In-France/137161909134

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SOLDIER

"It hasn’t taken long for the Birmingham five piece to established themselves as a major force on the national unsigned circuit. With credible support slots with respected past and current selling artists such as Athlete, The Datsuns, Viva Brother, The Brute Chorus and Guillemots, they are causing a stir in the second city with their melodic, stadium-esque anthems and downright dirty grooves. But it doesn't stop there.

Their releases of ‘Lifeline’ and 'We Love You' gained radio play on BBC Introducing... and Kerrang! Radio which has kick-started an ever increasing following which gets larger with every gig. And why do they come...? Every song has been crafted, nurtured and battered into what we like to think of "Maximum Delivery" ensuring the instantaneous hooks, ever familiar riffs and the passionate razor sharp vocals are drilled into the listeners psyche making every track a standout. Live sets see's SOLDIER explode into a primal celebration putting indie-guitar music back to the top of the agenda and giving the punters a sense of relief and euphoria that hasn't been tainted by the manufactured sea of mediocrity... just ask Birmingham, Camden Town, Manchester, Liverpool ect... ! Solid musically, tantalising creatively and captivating visually, these really should be the biggest band of the next 10 years. Standard."

http://www.soldiersmusic.com

http://www.facebook.com/soldiersmusic

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NEW KILLER SHOES

"We make no secret of our love of all things New Killer Shoes here at Midlands Rocks. Over the last year they've dazzled and entertained us with their idiosyncratic brand of ska-tinged grit pop - and, as we predicted, the word is definitely starting to spread. There's a real buzz of anticipation in the Academy 3 as they take to the stage, and once again they give us a masterclass in stage craft and balls-to-the-wall rocking out. Some of their songs are starting to get that sheen to them that marks them out as future classics - forthcoming single 'Leave Me Alone', and 'Throwin' Shapes' being prime examples. Great bands are not only a solid cohesive unit, they are also individuals with discernable character traits, and that's what marks New Killer Shoes out from a lot of their peers. The next time they're playing one of these Silent Filter gigs (in April), they'll be headlining - and that's all the indication you need as to their trajectory. If you haven't seen these guys perform live yet, then get on board the crazy train - it's a thrill-packed ride."

- Midlands Rocks

http://www.newkillershoes.com

http://www.facebook.com/newkillershoes

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I AM RYAN

‘…very Impressed’

Emma Scott on debut single ‘Stay’

‘…these guys deserve a place in the nationals. First class.’

Andrew Marston - BBC RADIO

‘If you want a mature, passionate rock album rammed full of massive sing-a-long anthems, passionate ballads and hooks aplenty look no further than the brilliant debut by I Am Ryan’

William Munn, RHYTHM & BOOZE on debut album ‘Head First’.

'Someone get this band a record deal!'

First Music on I AM RYAN

‘…Stadium friendly rocker…’

Tori De Mise, SLAP MAG on track ‘Head First’

‘I cannot help but get their songs stuck in my head every time I see them’

Flo Roland - BBC RADIO

‘A slick indie band who add a bit of a Britpop twist to a sound that's from the Snow Patrol family’

Michael Beck – THE MAG

‘…fantastic piece of work, startlingly good in fact.’

Phil Dewhurst, DIN OF ECSTASY RECORD LABEL on debut album ‘Head First’

‘…definitely worth checking out!’

Sharp Darts UK BASED BAND

http://www.iamryan.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/iamryanband

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JOSEPH HICKLIN

"Oh. My. This guy's voice does something to my music loins! It's magnificence demands attention and they suit the acoustic genre perfectly. This combination will stun you.

Joseph is only 18 yet his writing skills exceed that of a life-experienced 37 year old who's had to learn to fix his own toilet cistern; chunky songs that have a lot to say with carefully chosen lyrics, making sure he doesn't sound like a teenager having a whinge. Hicklin understands emotional levels that the average Joe probably wouldn't even realise they were capable of. This is not to say that they drone on! You won't get depressed by listening to him, I promise!

His music and tone are soothing and he is often joined by Chloe Anderton (how handy it is that your girlfriend sings as amazingly as you do!) and they pick up the pace on '13 Cages' from the usual yet just as thoughtful songs. He's simple yet not watered down; complicated yet not overgrown.

Please, please go onto his MySpace, play 'New York City' and listen to that note at 59 seconds!"

Jade Curley (Electric Banana)

http://www.josephhicklin.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joseph-Hicklin/138083372894315