A new wave of acts and artists is celebrating Birmingham’s heavy metal legacy as hype builds for Black Sabbath’s last live show.
Taking over the town hall
BBC Radio WM’s ‘Metal in the Midlands’ event will take place at Birmingham Town Hall on Wednesday July 2, honouring the region’s rich heavy metal music heritage and its global impact.
Headlining the night are rising metal stars Defects, currently touring across Europe with their new single Heresy. The band, who trace their roots back to Birmingham, are returning to their hometown for the special one-off event.
Drummer Harry Jennings said: “We are beyond excited to be one of the bands representing metal in the Midlands for the BBC on this iconic week.”
Darren Harriott to host event
Joining the line-up is Black Country comedian and BBC presenter Darren Harriott, who will host the evening. A long-time fan of live heavy music, Harriott’s involvement shows BBC Radio WM’s commitment to showcasing the civic pride and cultural significance of the genre.
The night will also feature a curated short film compilation from Birmingham’s Flatpack Festival, exploring the international reach of metal and its deep roots in the Midlands. Download Festival DJ Em Masters rounds out the latest announcements, bringing her alternative club pedigree to the decks.
Sets performed by various artists
Live sets from local acts CHERRYDEAD, GANS, and Meatdripper will offer a glimpse of the UK’s heavy future. With sounds ranging from doom to nu-metal, sludge to punk, the artists have been making waves across the national scene.
Part of the lead-up to the last-ever Black Sabbath concert
The event is one of several leading up to Back to the Beginning, Black Sabbath’s final show on July 5 at Villa Park.
The once-in-a-generation concert will reunite Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the first time in two decades.
They’ll be joined by an all-star line-up including Metallica, Pantera, Slayer and Guns ‘n’ Roses.
Across the city, further celebrations are underway. From an Ozzy Osbourne exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, to a striking 40-metre mural by Mr Murals on Navigation Street, Birmingham is embracing its role as the birthplace of metal.
The next generation steps up
In the week the city prepares to say farewell to its most famous musical export, the next generation is already taking the stage.
