Hi Nick,
More information on youth hostels can be found here..
http://www.yha.org.uk/Home/Home_Page/index.html
Check out this hotel site for economy hotels...
http://www.choicehotelseurope.com/hotels/home
How about self catering in a cottage??
http://www.english-country-cottages...._homepage.html
Gig, event guides for London..
http://www.whatsoninlondon.co.uk/index.html http://www.timeout.com/london/
Gig, event guides for Birmingham..
http://www.birmingham-alive.com/
Don't forget to visit Eclipse trumpets while you are here!! ;)
Hope this helps!