Inspired by the latest round of controversial advertising campaigns, we thought Milton Keynes needed a left field promotional push all of its own, so here we present: the Beatcheck Promotional Campaign for the Concrete City.

Let the tourists rush in.

Today marks the start of our mission to find Milton Keynes’ finest beatmakers.

It’s part of a big new Beatcheck project that will help the brightest talent shine out of the concrete cultural wasteland that is our city.

If you create beats-driven music, whether that’s as a producer, a band, or anything else that creates a banging sound, we want to hear from you.

You don’t need to have a record deal, play regular shows, or even have any friends. If you can produce noises that make people move their feet, get in touch.

It’s time to answer the call, people.

Inbox us on Facebook, Twitter, or email is with the subject of “beatcheck project” to info AT beatcheck DOT co DOT uk – and make your city proud.

Milton Keynes may have one of Europe’s biggest indoor ski slopes, but when there’s white stuff sitting on the streets of the concrete city, who needs to go indoors to get boarding?

Why not take a leaf out of these guys’ books? If they can do it with snow nicked from Xscape, imagine what you can do with the real thing….

Happy weekend people..

Milton Keynes might not have many big spaces for gigs but it does have the mother of all venues in the form of the National Bowl. In honour of the concrete city’s very own outdoor arena we thought we’d bring you the top five memories that YouTube can provide:

1. The Foo Fighters ft.  Seasick Steve and John Paul Jones (2011)
What do you get if you combine Dave Grohl, a member of Led Zeppelin, and a sick blues guitarist? Incredible music that’s what…

2. The Prodigy (2010)
The Prodigy’s biggest ever solo show. Was it also their best?

3. Metallica (1993)
What more can we say?

2. Green Day (2005 )
Punk rock (or punk ‘block’ in this Lego version) masters Green Day thrash out American Idiot in epic style.

5. The Gallows (2010)
Alright so the tunes might not be up to high standards of the headliners in the rest of this list, but look at the size of this mosh pit….

Think we’ve missed something? You’re probably right.
Tell us we’re wrong. Go on. We like arguing. We’re sometimes quite good at it.

Whoever said Milton Keynes can’t do civil disorder? This clip shows that the concrete city knows how to riot with the best of them.

Take this authorities…..

For years Milton Keynes Bus Station was a deep down and dirty mix of tacky nightclubs, bored skaters, and grannies waiting for busses that never seemed to turn up. How it’s a hub for the MK’s culture vultures. We caught up with one of the driving forces behind the venue to find out what it has brought to the city scene.

Who are you and what do you do?
“I’m Danny Quinn, Venue & Events Manager at the Buszy in Central Milton Keynes.”

Who is behind the Buszy and why was it set up?
“In early 2009 staff from Make a Difference and a group of the young volunteers went to London to present the idea of regenerating the out-dated bus station and abandoned nightclub into a decent venue for the whole of the city. There was competition from several very large organisations, but the young people were successful. Plans were drawn up, building work began, and in July 2010 we opened our doors for the first time.”

How the Bus Station looked before

What kind of thing happens at the venue now?
“All kinds of events and activities. We have local, national and international artists, DJs, performers, dancers and other creative folk; boutique cinema screenings of international and world cinema; specialist and exclusive events such as the infamous LoftParty night; and projects for young people such as online radio, underage gig nights, and a weekly disability youth club.”

What is your favourite thing about the Buszy?
“The range of people that have been through the doors since we opened is immense. It still surprises me how diverse our community is, and running this place you see it first-hand. From Asian women’s networking, to fashion shows, skate jams, presentations and launches, each event seems to bring in a whole new crowd.”

...and how it looks now

What are your plans for the future?
“Our plans are big. I don’t wanna give too much away, but new spaces will be opening in the next two months. We’ll also be increasing our cultural programme with some fantastic nights such as live burlesque acts, open mics, film screenings, storytelling and poetry. And we’ll continue our work with the community from kids’ holiday activities to the national heritage open days.”

How can people get involved?
“This venue is for everybody. Whether it’s attending an event, checking out the latest gallery exhibition or volunteering on-site. Volunteering opportunities are advertised on our website, and if anyone is looking for a central space to hire for an event we are available for private bookings.”

Do you now hate all jokes about buses and bus stops?
“Never mind jokes, it’s quite funny seeing the little old dears queuing up out the front to catch their coach trip to Skeggy!”

Find out about the latest from the Buszy at www.thebuszy.co.uk

DJ Relentless is Milton Keynes’ very own four foot nothing tear out mentalist. With his first record out this week, we thought we’d tell you more about him.

DJ Relentless, aka Tim Day, started his DJ carear back in the early 90′s, playing free parties, illigal raves and anywhere else that could handle his mix of heavy drum ‘n’ bass and old skool jungle.

Times and music changed,  and Relentless moved from the great outdoors into the dark four walls of clublife. In 2008 he scored himself a three year residency  Beatcheck, which saw him playing alongside some of the biggest names in beats and basslines including the Stanton Warriors, Krafty Kuts and Beardyman.

The natural next step was producing his own music, and Tim used his experience from outside and in to produce his own blend of tear out breaks, complete with old skool samples and deep down dirty basslines. Not bad from a man that’s smaller than your granny.

This week saw him put out his very own record, Get Up and Rock on Milton Keynes label Monkeyman Records.

We say go check his beats.

Get up and Rock is out on iTunes now

Alright, so this might be a bit ‘hands in the air’ for some tastes, but the Swedish House Mafia’s 14 July show at the Bowl is the biggest night Milton Keynes is likely to see for a year or two, and this latest promo reel makes us think it’s going to be pretty banging in the end – so we say get involved. You might just like it.

Find out more here

A Milton Keynes star took to the red carpet this week – proving the concrete city can create movie A-listers like the best of them.

The latest silver screen starlett took centre stage at the premier of Stephen Spielberg’s latest epic, War Horse, which is out now.

But this MK star isn’t just any ordinary actor. Oh no. Let’s just say he has more of a ‘stable’ background than most.

Ok, so it’s a horse.

But not just any horse. This is a horse called Joey from the Devils Horsemen, who are based just outside the concrete city, and have an esteemed history of providing equine stars for the silver screen.

And yes, he maybe a four-legged friend, and no, he’s never going to take on Brad Pitt for best looking actor in Hollywood, but he does have a leading role in the film, and he got to walk the red carpet, and, well, he’s the closest thing to Hollywood Milton Keynes is likely to get for a while – so let’s take what we can get, shall we?

Just one question remains unanswered: if he’s had so much success, why the long face?  BOOM!

Check out the trailor here.

Christmas is over. New Year’s Eve is but a distant memory.All there is now is January. Cold, miserable January.

But there is a way through.

This meaty sandwich of a podcast gives you everything you need to get you through your Christmas comedown.

Turn it up real loud, forget about what you did, didn’t, and wanted to do. Forget about how skint you are and skank out like there is no tomorrow. Smile and be happy.

The main mix, the bread if you will, is non other than the legends in breaks, hip hop and electro, the Freestylers- holding the podcast together like the big brother of beats. It’s an hour of massive Freestylers style fun. January blues? What January blues?

The evenly spread butter boys of beats, Krafty Kuts and Dynamite MC, also provide their ‘re-rub of a Verve classic’, A Krafty Symphony, and slap bang in the middle of of this broken beat sandwich is Nasty Neil E, and his wobble-tastic track Dream With Me. A mighty fine filling of fidget if you will.

Tune in, beatcheck out, download it for free: from those Apple overlords by clicking here or direct from us here (right click and save target if needed).

Peace, love, broken beats, wobbling basslines and old skool sounds,

The Beatcheck Monkey.

Love The Freestylers? Like them on Facebook
Think Krafty is kickin’? Like him on Facebook
Does Nasty Neil E make you do a sex wee? Then follow Nasty Digital Recordings on  Soundcloud