Visit Birmingham’s B-side campaign has been going strong across social networks over the last few weeks with music industry professionals, invited luminaries (see editor of Fused: David (below) alongside Jez from BCU and Marcus from the Glee Club) and the public having a say on which songs should make up an ultimate top 20 ‘virtual album’ of tracks by West Midland artists.
Part of the event includes an evening of debate and live music with a free event: The Song Remains The Same taking place on July 9th. The panel discussion in the Parkside lecture hall of Birmingham City University’s newest campus will feature musicians and music writers, including Matt Everitt (BBC 6Music), Vix Vox (Vix and her MsChiefs and ex Fuzzbox) and music writer Pete Paphides (Guardian Music), and will be chaired by Prof. Paul Long (BCU School of Media). Guests will discuss Birmingham’s place in popular music, and whether the city and region gets the credit it deserves.
Following what promises to be a lively and interesting debate, the audience will then move to the roof terrace of BCU Parkside for drinks and live music from Midnight Bonfires.
Tickets for this event are free but are strictly limited.
Earlier in the same day a specially invited panel (which includes Laura Mvula, Horace Panter (The Specials); Phil Etheridge (The Twang); Vix Vox (ViX and her MsChiefs and ex Fuzzbox); music journalists Pete Paphides and Matt Everitt) will meet at the Grade I listed Town Hall Birmingham to consider the hundreds of song suggestions from the public, as well as championing their own personal favourite track.
The resulting 20-song playlist will be announced a week later and available as a Spotify playlist.
Public nominations are open until midday on June 30 at visitbirmingham.com/bside and one entrant, chosen at random, will win a pair of tickets to the Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul festival in Birmingham on July 11.
If you want to have your say then get involved and choose your favourite all time piece of music from a West Midlands artist!
Area Culture Guide 