Supersonic: Michael Gira of Swans (Photo: Anne Helmond/Young God)

Birmingham's annual Supersonic festival returns this week in a bid to continue the justification of its well-worn accolades. Now in its eighth year after launching as just a one-day festival in 2003, the line-up this year is truly a capsule of diversity. Mixing international bands with local Birmingham acts makes this a great platform for grindcore bands such as Fukpig, Godflesh and Napalm Death to stand alongside the artists like an altogether less noisier Krautrock legend, Michael Rother and his Hallogallo project and the electronically minded Factory Floor.

Taking place at what is essentially Birmingham's creative centre, the Custard Factory (yes, where Alfred Bird's custard used to be made) in Digbeth, the local area offers much in the way of entertainment, curry and booze - all of which are likely to be inhaled by visitors at length.

Festival attendees should be prepared for more than legends of noise, and head out in search of the experimental. There'll be some delicious oud playing from Iraq's Khyam Allami & Master Musicians Of Bukkake (last year Khyam performed a Black Sabbath tune for the benefit of the Birmingham audience) which could potentially go hand-in-hand with the virtuoso guitar stylings of 12-string botherer, James Blackshaw; Dead Fader's garage-styled take on UK bass music will please many who are visiting the factory specifically for outfits such as The Bug's King Midas Sound. Lichens are on hand to provide experimental improvisation and there's drone from the wonderful Bong.

Though titled 'Supersonic', the festival encompasses more than music, and there are a handful of films including graphic documentaries Swansea Love Story and The Vice Guide To Liberia to keep the eyes engaged and brain informed. If education is your want, then you must attend Sam Underwood's Noise Box workshop on Saturday. A noise box works in much the way a theremin does, but its frequency is controlled by light (advance booking is required). Also on Saturday, there'll be gigs for kids held across at the Midlands Arts Centre: an hour long workshop focusing on experimental music for two-to-seven-year-olds and their families. Just in case you want to get them started young, then?

After all that, revellers can stand back and enjoy the Sunday headline delight of Swans, the attractive indie guitar-pop of Barn Owl, and the sweet, harmonious sounds of Peter Broderick and much more. Altogether, Supersonic 2010 stands to retain its reputation as the most diverse metal / avant garde festival in the UK.

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