Here's a novel idea. Conkers, the Midlands' woodiest theme park, is to relive the majesty of Live Aid in a concert held there on May 4 and 5.

I'm afraid Phil Collins won't be flying in on Concorde and Freddie Mercury's unable to whip the crowd of day-trippers into a frenzy, but 20 of our best tribute acts will be there, doing their best to get the party started.

If you squint through scrunched up eyes, at dusk, with a few pints of cider inside you, you may be able to see Bon Jovi, Simple Minds, Whitesnake, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, David Bowie, Bryan Adams, Queen, The Commitments, Howard Jones, Green Day, Madonna, Billy Idol, Tina Turner and Britney Spears.

Full scary details at www.visitconkers.com

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Birmingham's favourite band, The Editors, have announced the title of their new album, due on June 18. It's going to be called An End Has A Start, whatever that means. There are ten tracks on there and it's going to be one of the year's most anticipated releases. More information, including a sneak preview video thing at www.editorsofficial.com

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It isn’t what you’d expect to see at the home of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, but the Birmingham Hippodrome is opening up its doors to its very first International Hip Hop Festival.

The Hippodrome foyers will be transformed into the world of Hip Hop with b-boys battling, poppers, lockers and jazz funkdancers, turntables and DJs on 15th and 16th May from 6pm. The main stage event starts at 8pm.

For details of the Breakin' Convention show, see the Hippodrome website www.birminghamhippodrome.com

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It's as traditional as figgy pudding and half as stodgy. Yes, I'm talking about Status Quo's annual trip to the NEC Arena.

Tickets are on sale now for the gig on December 8. Call 0870 909 4133 to get your hands on some.

You can't knock the Quo. After 33 albums based around two songs, they've earned the right to our respect, especially since the new album is chucklesomely called In Search Of The Fourth Chord.

Ticket purchasers will have the exclusive opportunity to pre-order a limited edition, souvenir 12" vinyl version of the album, in a stunning gatefold sleeve, this is a special ticket offer and this vinyl album will not be available in the shops.

There are also murmurings of some special quest-like thing to promote the album before it's released. God alone knows what that means, but you may find out more at www.statusquo.co.uk.