The Drums 10th Anniversary is coming up and in celebration of it they’ve pulled out all the stops in planning a great big bash. To help bring the celebrations to their final crescendo, the soul legend that is Angie Stone will putting on a concert.

Tonight, Birmingham’s O2 arena will welcome Angie on what is to be her first visit to the Midlands in 3 years. Ms Stone is a singer, brilliant song writer and has been known to dip her toes into the acting pool.She’ll be performing songs from her new album ‘Unexpected’, a title born of a tragic incident that happened during recording. Stone’s father passed away very suddenly. “It was totally unexpected,” she says, “and that’s where I came up with the title of the album. I really didn’t think I could finish the project, because I was so grief stricken.”

 “Someone told me, ‘Either this is going to be your best year or your worst year. You have to channel that grief into which of those two things you want it to be,’” she recalls. “I had to do a lot of the vocals a second time. I had to lean on my dad’s wisdom and energy, and try to be open to what he would have wanted me to do in order to finish the songs. I can say that his spirit was literally there in the studio with me, and I’m grateful for that.

Through this harrowing time Stone’s faith and determination helped her to put together an album with a totally fresh feel. Unlike anything she’s done before, ‘Unexpected’ is taking Angie on a journey in a whole new direction. A journey which we in Brum are more than happy to be part of.

Tickets cost £25.00, £23.00 with NUS, there are still a few left so visit http://www.the-drum.org.uk/whats-on/ and treat yourself to a night out.