The latest news, updates and events in Birmingham
An award-winning Birmingham violinist is to give two free performances as part of Black History Month events on Sunday (9 October). Melika Queely will give informal musical performances at the Round Room in Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on Sunday afternoon with selections of music from the works of Bob Marley, Ravel, Ed Sheeran, Brahms…
Celebrated Birmingham photographer Pogus Caesar‘s film about the legendary Tower Ballroom – where music acts such as David Bowie and The Wailers performed – will get a special screening at a free event on Sunday (9 October). The Tower of Dreams film looks back at the social and cultural history of Birmingham’s Tower Ballroom at…
Frederick Waite, the former drummer of Birmingham reggae group Musical Youth, has died aged 55. Waite, aged 55, apparently died on 20 July, but the news of his death was only announced today (11 August) in a Twitter post by Musical Youth.
The Birmingham Rum Festival is returning to The Cuban Embassy in Moseley for its fifth public celebration. After having to cancel and rearrange twice due to the pandemic, this year’s festival is a superb showcase of rum with the taste of the Caribbean, against a backdrop of fantastic Latin American style and pizzazz.
A new all-star concept album billed as ‘a sonic love letter to Birmingham’ will be released to music fans across the world for free in June, for the Birmingham 2022 Festival. On Record, commissioned and produced by Birmingham Music Archive, will feature eleven original songs exclusively written and recorded by new and established city music…
Astro, a founding member of the Birmingham based musical group UB40, has died following a short illness, it has been announced. A statement on the band’s official Twitter said “We are absolutely devastated and completely heartbroken to have to tell you that our beloved friend Astro has passed away after a short illness.
The sun was shining over Birmingham on Sunday as the Simmer Down Festival made a welcome return to its home in Handsworth Park following a limited virtual presence online during the pandemic last year. Headlined by British reggae group Aswad, the reggae-fest was a celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture and music as thousands of revellers descended on…
Reggae star and Birmingham music legend Apache Indian has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours. Recognised internationally for his fusion of bhangra, reggae and pop, the 53-year-old singer from Handsworth gained prominence in the 1990s with a string of hits including Boom Shack-A-Lak, Chok There and Don Raja.
Shocked Brummies are calling the demolition of the legendary Eagle and Tun pub in New Canal Street in Birmingham – which has connections to reggae band UB40 – an act of “horrific vandalism” as HS2 demolition crews tore down the landmark building. Attempts to save this slice of Birmingham heritage by local history groups and…
A special online musical event has been planned by the team behind the Simmer Down Festival, as a tribute to BME communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Dubbed ‘Simmer Lock-down Lounge’, the event will be live streamed across YouTube and Facebook for people to enjoy on Sunday (September 20).