Info

Capsule the brains behind Supersonic Festival are curators, promoters and fans of the finest music, revealing the otherwise indescribable connections between contemporary music and art, crafting extraordinary events for adventurous audiences. Now in it’s 8th year, the event will once again take place at the Custard Factory in the heart of in the heart of Eastside of Birmingham, utilising converted factory warehouses and art galleries and offering up-close, intimate settings to showcase some of the most exciting music out there. Capsule’s passion for genre bending sound and performances is at the heart of all their events – there are not many places where you can listen to funeral doom, prog, folk, avant jazz and grindcore in one weekend.

The festival is now in it’s 8th year, starting out as a 1 day event in 2003 which featured Coil, LCD Sound System, The Bug, DJ Food and many more. Over the years the festival has garnered a worldwide reputation for being one of the most exciting events for experimental music, gathering audiences from all corners of the UK and further a field.

“Of this welter of well organised, wisely curated festivals (ATP, Faster Than Sound, Sonar, Greenman) perhaps the best organised and most wisely curated was Supersonic. Plotted by Birmingham promoters Capsule, 2007’s Supersonic inhabited the nexus where metal, folk and noise met.”
Plan B Magazine

“Supersonic, in our opinion the best festival in the world right now”
Rock-A-Rolla Magazine

”AS British music festivals go, Birmingham’s annual Supersonic event is the best kind of mixed musical bag, a dizzying assortment of avant rock textures and Heavy Metal thunder on a bill which swings from the sublime to the ridiculous without once seeming ostentatiously eclectic.

The Wire

“Supersonic’s trump card; is it not only a festival that is wildly diverse in it’s content but it also manages to flow musically from stage to stage, like looking through your best friend’s record collection.” Rough Trade Shops


Hotels

We have negotiated a number of special rates for Supersonic visitors at the below hotels

All of our recommended hotels are now FULLY BOOKED – we recommend trying:
BRITANNIA HOTEL BIRMINGHAM (just 10 mins walk from Supersonic and located in the city centre)
New Street, Birmingham, B2 4RX
Tel: 0871 222 0093

Special Supersonic Deal:
SOLD OUT!!! Nite Nite
(15 mins walk from the Custard Factory, It’s just a 5 minute walk from New Street Station)
Quote ‘super10’  for room  – Tel: 08458 90 90 99
rate £39.95 per night (Double room only) with WIFI
(while available)
SOLD OUT!!! Stay Birmingham – Arc Apartments (15 mins walk from the Custard Factory)
Staybirmingham.com offers high quality self-catering apartments that are ideal for both short stays and long- term rentals, and conveniently located in the heart of Birmingham city centre. Providing a genuine home from home, all apartments are fully furnished with TVs, sofas, fully-equipped kitchens, dining areas, spacious bedrooms and more. The 24-hour receptions are easily accessed on foot from any of our apartments. Complimentary Wi-Fi Access is available in each room and reception lobby. Car parking is available upon request.
2/3 person apartment special rate of £75 per night
4/5 person apartment special rate 0f £100 per night

Quote ‘SUPERSONIC’ to book at special festival rate

T: +44 (0) 871 971 2952
E: sales[at]staybirmingham.com

SOLD OUT!!! Paragon Hotel 2 mins walk from the Custard Factory)
A magnificent example of Gothic architecture, the Paragon is situated in the heart of the city, lovingly restored into a modern, stylish, urban retreat.
£35.00 Room Only for Standard Single Room
£40.00 Room Only for Standard Twin or Double Room
£45.00 Room Only for Superior Single Room
£50.00 Room Only for Superior Double or Twin Room.

Breakfast will be available upon request at £5.00

Quote ‘CATS221010′ to book at special festival rate

T: +44 (0) 121 627 0627 / F: +44 (0) 121 627 0628
E: [email protected]


Recommended Budget visitors:

Birmingham Central Backpackers
Birmingham Central is a five minute walk from the Bull Ring and a three minute walk from the Digbeth Coach Station. 5 min walk from the Custard Factory.
6-8 bed dorms – regular £16.00 pppn, special large group rate – £14.50 pppn
POD dorm/four bed dorm – £18.00 pppn
single private – £30.00 per night
twin private – £44.00 per night
triple private – £66.00 per night
T: +44 (0) 121 643 0033

SOLD OUT!!! HOTEL ETAP BIRMINGHAM CENTRE
1 Great Colmore Street, Birmingham, B15 2AP
T : +44 (0) 121 622 7575

Please mention Supersonic when booking.

£40 per room per night – includes 1 single bed & 1 double bed in each room 1-3 people per room – BARGAIN!!! works out £13 each per night. 5 mins cab ride from venue or 20 minute walk from the venue. Rooms book up very quickly! £2.95 for a continental breakfast. Approx 150 rooms available.


Contact us


Timetable

Full break down HERE

Friday 22nd October 9pm – 2.30am
Tickets £20 BUY NOW
Headlined by Napalm Death
with Dead Fader, Demons (feat Sick Llama), Devil Man (feat DJ Scotch Egg), Drumcorps, Fukpig, Gum Takes Tooth, Necro Deathmort, PCM

Saturday 23rd October 4pm – 1.30am
Tickets £35 BUY NOW
Headlined by Godflesh + Melt Banana
with Blue Sabbath Black Fiji, Cave, Cloaks (DJ set), Dosh, Eagle Twin, Gnaw, Gnod, King Midas Sound, Lash Frenzy vs KK Null, Lichens, Melt Banana, oVo, Part Wild Horses Mane On Both Sides, People Like Us, Steve Troman & Dan Nicholls Duo, Stinky Wizzleteat, Tweak Bird
+ talks, films, workshops, market place, tea room

Sunday 24th October 2pm – 12.30am
Tickets £35 BUY NOW
Headlined by Swans + Hallogallo
with Barn Owl, Black Sun Drum Corps, Bong, Factory Floor, Jailbreak feat. Chris Corsano + Heather Leigh, James Blackshaw, Master Musicians of Bukkake + Khyam Allami, Mugstar, Nisennenmondai, Peter Broderick, Pierre Bastien & Male Instrumenty, Voice Of The Seven Thunders, Zeni Geva
+ talks, films, workshops, market place, tea room

Weekend tickets £75 BUY NOW


FAQ

Recently we’ve been receiving lots of emails asking lots of questions, most of which were already covered on the supersonic website.  To make life easier, we’ve collated all of the information here into the Supersonic Festival Frequently Asked Questions List.  If you do have a question, check the list.  If it definitely isn’t answered here, [email protected] is where you can send it.

Accommodation: “Where can I live for the weekend?”
Nite Nite | 18 Holliday Street | Birmingham | B1 1TB
15 minute walk from the Custard Factory; 5 minute walk from New Street / Moor Street Stations.
Quote “super10” and get a room for £39.95 per night (Double room only, with WIFI)

w: www.nitenite.com t: 08458-909-099

Stay Birmingham – Arc Apartments | The Arcadian Centre | Hurst Street | Birmingham | B5 4TD
15 minute walk from the Custard Factory; 5 minute walk from New Street / Moor Street Stations.
Quote “supersonic” and get a special rate 2/3 person apartment for £75per night, or a 4/5 person apartment for £100 per night.

w: www.staybirmingham.com t: 0871-971-2952

Birmingham Central Backpackers | 58 Coventry Street | Birmingham | B5 5NH
5 minute walk from the Custard Factory; 10 minute walk from New Street Station / Moor Street Stations.
6-8 bed forms:: £16.00 pppn, special large group rate:: £14.50 pppn
POD dorm/four bed dorm – £18.00 pppn
single private – £30.00 per night
twin private – £44.00 per night
triple private – £66.00 per night

w: www.birminghamcentralbackpackers.com t: 0121-643-0033

Hotel Etap | 1 Great Colmore Street | Birmingham | B15 2AP
20 minute walk / 5 minute cab ride from the Custard Factory; 5 minute walk from New Street Station / Moor Street Stations.
£40 per room per night.  (Each room can sleep 3 people, so that £13 each per night – Bargain!)

w: www.etaphotel.com t: 0121-622-7575

Alcohol: “Can I bring my own alcohol?”
Unfortunately not, you maybe searched on arrival and if you are found to be carrying drinks, these will be confiscated.

There are five licensed bars on the festival site.  If you look under 21, please bring some photo ID along.

Cash Points
There are only a few ATM machines in Digbeth, so you might want to take out money prior to arriving at the festival site.  There is one cash machine on site at H&S News – this machine will charge you £1.78 per withdrawal.
There are also cash machines located near-by at:
Nisa | Digbeth High Street | B5 5NR (about a 3 minute walk from the Custard Factory)
Free cash machine(!)
The Forge Tavern | 129 Great Barr Street | B9 4AY (it’s on the corner of Fazeley Street, at the top of Heath Mill Lane)

Charge of £1.75 per withdrawal

Children

Children can come along, but it is essential that you contact us beforehand and they usually have to leave the festival site by 9pm.  ([email protected] or 0121-248-2252).

Directions: “How do I get to Supersonic Festival?”

Supersonic Festival is held at the Custard Factory | Gibb Street | Birmingham | B9 4AA

BY TRAIN
The Custard Factory is a 10 minute walk from both New Street and Moor Street Stations.
1. Exit New Street Station via the main doors (signposted taxi rank)
2. As you approach Debenhams, turn left and walk through the tunnel (under the USC store)
3. When you emerge, Moor Street Station will be ahead of you.
4. Continue with Moor Street on your left, toward Selfridges Car Park.
5. At the crossing, turn right towards The Bull Ring Tavern.
6. Turn left onto Digbeth High Street
7. Walking down the high street, you’ll pass The Fancy Fabric Store, The HMV Institute and South Birmingham College.
8. Keep walking, and you’ll come to the Custard Factory, you can’t miss us.

9. If you reach The Rainbow, you’ve gone too far.

BY PLANE

Birmingham International Airport (BHX) has a number of budget flights from Europe and further a field.  It is located less than 30 minutes by taxi from the Custard Factory, or there is a train from Birmingham International to Birmingham New Street Station which takes about 15 minutes.

BY COACH
(Please note that since Supersonic last year, a shiny new coach station has opened in Birmingham.)
1. Exit the coach station and head towards Rea Street.
2. Turn Left at Rea Street.
3. After 120 metres, you’ll emerge onto Digbeth High Street opposite The HMV Institute.
4. Turn right and walk up Digbeth High Street.
5. You’ll pass South Birmingham College on your left, The Irish Centre on your right and the Custard Factory itself on your left again.
6. Cross the road at the lights by The Old Crown.

7. You’ve arrived!

BY CAR
B9 4AA is the postcode you’ll need for your Sat Nav.
The Custard Factory is easily accessible from the M6, M5 and M42.
1. Whichever direction you’re coming from to get to Birmingham follow signs for the A41.
2. Once you’re on the A41, follow signs for the City Centre.
3. You’ll find yourself heading towards town, along Digbeth High Street.
4. Pass through a couple of sets of traffic lights before you see a Renault garage on your left.
5. Get into the right hand filter lane at the next set of lights, where there’s an old Tudor building on your right (that’s Birmingham’s oldest pub, The Old Crown, established in 1368).
6. Turn right onto Heath Mill Lane.

7. A few hundred yards along and on your right, just past Air nightclub, is the entrance to the Custard Factory car park (its gates are made up of cubes of squished cars).

Lost Property: Lost something at the festival?
Any lost property found by Supersonic staff will be safely stored in the production office; lost property found by Custard Factory or Factory Club staff will be stored in their office.

If you lose something over the weekend, contact a member of Supersonic / Security Staff.  If you realise you’re missing something after the festival contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Performance Times

Stage times for each artist will be posted a week before the festival.  In the meantime, a break down of artists and the days they’re playing is available here.

Festival Times
Friday / 22 / October:: 9.00pm – 2.30am
Saturday / 23 / October:: 4pm – 1.30am

Sunday / 24 / October:: 2pm – 12.30am

Smoking

Normal smoking rules apply: you can smoke in any outdoor area on site, you cannot smoke inside any enclosed public buildings, tents, portacabins, or near a fuel source.

Taxis
There are loads of taxi firms in Birmingham – Here’s numbers for a couple of them:
Atlas Cars 0121-643-8888
Ambassador Cars 0121-449-8888
T.O.A. 0121-444-8888
Royal Cars 0121-444-8888



Volunteers

Call Out!

Supersonic needs YOU! Capsule’s internationally renowned festival runs 22nd to 24th October 2010 and there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer. The festival is small enough for everyone involved as a volunteer to gain not just an overview of how the festival works, but to give real input and value. We will try to fit your experience and aspirations against required roles in the festival, so that we all benefit as much as possible


What’s available?

Supersonic Interns:

Applications for internships have now closed. We had an overwhelming response and would like to thank everybody who applied.

Please see below for further opportunities to get involved in the festival.

Super Volunteers:
Super Volunteers will be recruited to manage areas of the festival and a larger team of volunteers will be required to help out over the festival weekend as well as with promotion during the lead up to the event.

Supersonic needs YOU!

Capsule’s internationally renowned festival runs 22nd to 24th October 2010 and there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer. The festival is small enough for everyone involved to gain not just an overview of how the festival works, but to give real value and be part of a dynamic team.

We need a team of volunteers to help deliver the festival over the weekend of the event itself – we are looking for people to work over the festival weekend 22nd -24th October and in the run up to Supersonic from early October onwards. We expect a minimum of 12 hrs over the festival period in exchange for a weekend wristband.

In addition we are looking for professional quality photographers to help us document the festival

How to apply:
To apply send an email to volunteer[at]capsule.org.uk
Mark in the SUBJECT of the email VOLUNTEER or PHOTOGRAPHER

We will send you an application form, which you need to fill out and email back to us before the deadline which is the 21st September. There will then be a meeting on the evening of the 22nd of September to find out more about the festival and to meet the team.

Please note, unfortunately we can only receive applications from people over 18 years of age.


Directions

Supersonic Festival is located at the Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 4AA
The site opens at 9.00pm on Friday 22nd of October, only then can you pick up tickets from the box office, which is located at the top of Gibb Street.

BY PLANE
Birmingham International Airport (BHX) has a number of budget flights from Europe and further a field, it is located less than 30 mins by taxi to Birmingham city centre or there is a train which takes about 15mins.
www.birminghamairport.co.uk

BY TRAIN
The Custard Factory is a 10 minute walk from both New Street Station and Moor Street Station.

Exit New Street Station via the main doors (signposted taxi rank). As you approach Debenhams, turn LEFT and walk through the tunnel. Ahead of you will be Moor Street Station. Continue forward with Moor Street Station on your left and the entrance to Moor St carpark ahead. At the crossing turn RIGHT (The Bull Ring Tavern ahead of you). Turn LEFT onto High Street Deritend and continue forward (with the Selfridges building directly behind you). On your left you will pass The Fancy Fabric Store, Birmingham Barfly, and South Birmingham College. Eventually you will reach the Custard Factory on your left – if you reach The Old Crown pub or The Rainbow you have gone too far!

BY COACH
Birmingham Central Coach Station is only a 5 minute walk from the Custard Factory. Start out along Oxford Street, heading south. After 1500 metres turn LEFT onto Digbeth, heading east. After 100 metres continue onto High Street Deritend, heading south. You will reach the Custard Factory 250 metres along High Street Deritend.

BY CAR
The Custard Factory is easily accessible from M6, M5 and M42.

Whichever direction you’re coming from to get to Birmingham, follow sings for the A41. Once you’re on the A41, continue to follow signs for the City Centre. You’ll find yourself heading towards town, slightly downhill along a road called Digbeth. You’ll pass through a couple of sets of traffic lights before seeing a Renault garage on your left – get into the right-hand filter lane for the next set of lights. You should see an old-fashioned pub on your right called The Old Crown. Take the right hand turn at this corner into Heath Mill Lane. A few hundred yards along and to your right, next to Air nightclub, is the entrance to the Custard Factory car park (its gates made up of the cubes of squashed cars).

PARKING
There are many car parks available nearby, the closest being the Custard Factory car park on Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, B9.

TAXIS
There are loads of taxi firms in Birmingham – here’s numbers for just a few of them:

Atlas Cars                0121 643 8888
Ambassador Cars    0121 449 8888
T.O.A                       0121 427 8888
Royal Cars               0121 444 8888
•    Check the taxi is displaying proper license plates and a roof sign


Job Opportunity

SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL 2010
OPERATIONS MANAGER

Period: July – November 2010 approx 52 days
Fee: £6000
Deadline for applications: 28th May 2010
Interviews: 8th& 9th June 2010

“Festival Of the Year” Plan B Magazine
An experimental music festival for adventurous audiences, Supersonic aims to showcase the most exciting and interesting music out there. A consistently ambitious programme of music Supersonic now has a reputation for staging unique collaborations and reunions as well as providing a stage for emerging talent and challenging music boundaries with its constant eclectic mix.

Capsule are looking to recruit an Operations Manager to produce Supersonic 2010

Job Description

Summary of role
The Operations Manager will work closely with the Festival Directors to plan and execute Supersonic 3 day festival 22nd-24th October 2010.  This role comes under the direction of the Festival Directors with responsibility for the Festival Team (includes: Artist Liaison, Marketing Assistant, Event Co-ordinator, Volunteer Co-ordinator and Festival Interns) and will be based predominantly at the company’s office in Birmingham.

Key areas of responsibility:
Festival Events:
To Implement and co-ordinate:
    Supersonic Festival programme with particular regard to venues, logistics and technicals (includes live performance, film programme, talks & workshops
    Site construction and deconstruction
    Management and logistical systems for the following areas: Merchandise, Festival Bar, Food Stalls, Production Office, Backstage.
    Commissions & partner events
   To oversee smooth running of events during the festival

Systems
    To assist the festival directors with implementing effective financial management systems (i.e artists payments / merchandise and bar floats)
    To manage office systems and contribute to the day to day running of the festival office
   To implement effective systems for evaluation including audience data, feedback and event audits
    To oversee volunteers scheme with Volunteer Co-ordinator and Festival Directors.

Finance
  To manage budgets and provide financial reports where necessary
  To administer petty cash and staff/artist expenses

Public Responsibility
    To carry out risk assessments and Health and Safety audits
    To liase with public safety bodies
    To work closely with venues and partners to consider issues of access and ensure optimum access for all audience members to festival events

Person Specifications

Essential
The successful candidate must;

    Have demonstrable experience of project management /event co-ordination and managing staff  – at least 3 years experience but can be over freelance contracts.
    Have experience of working on arts events or festivals
    Have experience of managing budgets
   Be computer and web-literate (own computer preferable)
    Be able to work remotely
   Have excellent communication skills- both spoken and written
   Have imagination and the ability to work creatively
    Be resourceful, level-headed and able to work under considerable pressure
   Be passionate about creating exciting events which reach out to a range of audiences
    Must have the capacity to work long hours.

Desirable
    Driver with full / clean UK license and own car
    Experience in marketing, PR and sponsorship

To apply, please provide a CV and covering letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in the post to Jenny Moore – Logistic & Programming Director – jenny[at]capsule.org.uk – by 28th May 2010

Please be aware that interviews will be held on 8th& 9th June 2010

For more information, contact Jenny at the address above or on 0121 248 2252