Birmingham's The Twang back for festive tradition

Birmingham's The Twang celebrate the festive season with an annual show at the second city's O2 Academy.

This year's gig will feature special guests Cabbage and a DJ set from Swim Deep on December 17.

A Twang hometown show is the stuff of legend. With national acclaim since forming in 2003, their set will be packed full of sing-along belters from fan-favourites Barney Rubble to Either Way and Wide Awake.

There will also be hits from their four brilliant studio albums, NEONTWANG, 10:20, Jewellery Quarter and the mighty debut, Love It When I Feel Like This, which clocked up sales in excess of 200,000 and hit No3 in the UK album charts.

Frontman Phil Etheridge said: "These shows have become a bit of an institution and we're super proud of that."

Hotly-tipped five-piece Cabbage are the support. Described as Manchester's most exciting new band, they are fresh from supporting Blossoms on their UK tour. Joining the celebrations will be local heroes and indie-pop outfit, Swim Deep, who will be taking over the decks for a festive DJ set.

Etheridge said: "It's been nine years on the bounce. We weren't gonna do anything but it's a bit of an institution so we decided to come back. We've got all the hits and there's also a nice new little track. We wrote it two years ago and we went into record it, but it sounded too festive. So we went and recorded it in July – it's strange doing that in summer."

The Twang recently lined up with fellow Brummies Ocean Colour Scene when the latter celebrated 20 years of Moseley Shoals at the city's Moseley Park. Etheridge enjoyed the gigs. "Both nights were really good. We grew up with that album, like most lads did in bands from Brum. It was an important record. I remember listening to It's My Shadow. It was a real privilege."

The Twang may not have released a new album for a couple of years, but thoughts of doing so are never far away. "We're writing at the moment. It's quite good to be writing for the fun of it to see what's happening."

Etheridge is chuffed that the band's fans have stayed loyal during the past decade. And he hopes they don't desert them.