Join the Beat: Help Shape Birmingham’s Epic Music Legacy!

Birmingham, a city in the West Midlands, has a long and proud history of music. It is known as the birthplace of heavy metal, with legendary musicians like Ozzy Osbourne, the former frontman of Black Sabbath, coming from the city. Around Birmingham, you can find murals and exhibitions that celebrate these musical icons. For example, there is a mural of Ozzy Osbourne wearing his signature round dark glasses, with his hood up and his hands crossed in front of his throat.

But Birmingham's musical story is much bigger than just heavy metal. The city has played a key role in many different types of music, including Bhangra, rap, and reggae. Now, music fans are being asked to help shape the future of music in Birmingham. Local organizations are working together to find out how people enjoy gigs, festivals, and musical heritage sites. They want to use this information to make future music experiences in the city even better.

Dr Patrycja Rozbicka from Aston University says that Birmingham has an incredibly diverse musical heritage. The city is home to bands like UB40, who played their first gig at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath in 1979. Researchers are collecting information by holding workshops and talking to music fans, tourism groups, and performers. They are mapping out the city's musical assets and looking for ways to improve and invest in Birmingham's music scene.

One of the most popular exhibitions in Birmingham is the Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibition. Since it opened last year, it has attracted more than 425,000 visitors. People come from all over to see items from Ozzy's life and learn about his impact on music. This research project is a partnership between Aston University, Birmingham Museums Trust, Birmingham Music Archive, Lara Ratnaraja, and Birmingham City Council, with support from government funding.

Charlotte Holmes, director of engagement at Birmingham Museums Trust, says that the city's musical legacy reaches far and wide. She points out that the Ozzy Osbourne exhibition has been a huge success, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors. Another important band from Birmingham is Steel Pulse, whose debut album Handsworth Revolution in 1978 was a call for unity in the city. Steel Pulse continues to perform and inspire people today.

Jez Collins, the founder of Birmingham Music Archive, says that after the Summer of Sabbath events in 2025, now is the perfect time to build on the renewed interest in Birmingham's music. He is encouraging people to get involved and share their thoughts about what stories should be told about Birmingham's music. The survey is open until 27 February, and everyone is invited to take part.

If you have a story or an idea about music in Birmingham, you can contact the team working on this project. They want to know what matters to you and what you think should be celebrated. Birmingham's music scene is famous around the world, and now everyone has a chance to help shape its future.