NightLife : The Big Gig: It's sheer Bliss to be back in Brum; FAITHLESS NIA, Birmingham, Monday, Dec 5.

Byline: LISA SMITH

WHEN Faithless roll into Birmingham on Monday night on the latest leg of their Forever Faithless tour it will be a real homecoming for Sister Bliss.

For the DJ - real name Ayalah Bentouim - played her first ever gig at a house party in the city back in 1987 while studying for a degree at Birmingham University.

But Bliss, who was at the forefront of the house music scene and one of its first female DJs, guiltily admits she never completed the course as her ability on the decks took over. She tells the Birmingham Mail: "I am not proud to admit I jacked in my degree after just two years because my DJ-ing was taking over.

"I went home one summer to play a few gigs in London and never went back. I know it doesn't set a good example but then I suppose I haven't done badly from choosing music as a career!"

Just a fortnight ago Bliss was in Birmingham again at Godskitchen and admits the city is one of her favourite places.

She says: "When I was a student I was always playing at the Moseley Dance Centre and Snobs. Being at Gods at Air - which is a great venue - reminded me how cool the scene is in Birmingham."

Bliss, who joined DJ Rollo to form Faithless in 1995 still can't quite believe the response they get when they play gigs like the forthcoming one at the NIA on Monday.

She says: "I love festivals, but our own studio tours are awesome too. I still get blown away when I see everyone's hands go up and they start jumping up and down the minute Insomnia starts.

"Some of our fans were part of the rave scene and are still very nostalgic about us, but the fact that Forever Faithless - the album - has sold one million copies so far suggests we also have a whole new generation of followers out there."

n Tickets, priced pounds 23.50 plus booking and transaction fee, from 0870 909 4144.

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BIG GIG... Sister Bliss and Maxi Jazz will appear at Birmingham's NIA on Monday