Festivals galore
Festivals galore
Plus, 'divisive' graffiti condemned
Dear Patchers — Welcome to your Tuesday briefing.
With the three-day weekend behind us and with the sun setting before 8pm for the first time in months, today’s briefing brings details how to grab your last slice of summer fun at two Birmingham festivals. Both are coming up this weekend — one has been called the ‘best small UK festival’ by The Guardian while another has seen legends from Professor Carl Chinn to Seasick Steve take to the stage. More below.
Elsewhere we have notes on piano performances on trams, backlash against ‘divisive’ graffiti and the chance to visit a Black Country heritage spot.
Take care, and ease into the week. Dan.
Brum in Brief
🎹Piano for passengers: The music director of the City of Birmingham Orchestra (CBSO) will be playing the piano for those lucky enough to be traveling between Birmingham and Wolverhampton both today and Thursday. The world-famous Kazuki Yamada will be playing on a specially decorated tram as part of a series of free CBSO events across the city. Elsewhere, musicians will turn up at venues such as New Street Station, The Bullring, Library of Birmingham, IKON Gallery, Grosvenor Road Studios, Thinktank and the Botanical Gardens. Full programme.
❌‘Deliberate division’: Community figures in Birmingham have condemned new graffiti outside an Alum Rock primary school by saying that whoever scribed it is attempting to sow division after the riots. CCTV footage circulating on TikTok showed a figure walking up to an area near Shaw Hill Primary School and scribing ‘No Whites’ on a wall. Community activist Naveed Sadiq, known online as ‘Bearded Baes’, said he reported it to the police. “This is not something which we as a community tolerate,” he said in his own video about the incident. Full story.
🚆Shropshire green light: Local businesses (including HMRC, Phoenix Group and Visit Shropshire) have backed proposals to improve the rail line between Shrewsbury and Birmingham to unlock Shropshire’s economic potential. With a second hourly service already added to the line, further proposals include boosting the line speed to 90 mph, a new hourly train to London from Shrewsbury and rail electrification. Shaun Davies, MP for Telford (an area which could benefit from rail improvements) also voiced his support. “Local firms have clearly outlined the importance of these rail improvements to the future growth of their businesses, providing them with better access to markets, talent, and resources in the West Midlands and beyond,” he said.
👐Iconic Stourbridge landmark reopens: Stourbridge’s iconic Red House Glass Cone has reopened to the public for the first time since 2020 with renovations ‘circa 95% complete’. Previously both a furnace for the historic local glass industry, as well as the home of Stuart Crystal Glass. “We were renowned for glass in the area,” business operational manager, Jane Laime told the BBC. “[The reopening] is a fantastic opportunity to come and have a look and a go.” Full story.
🕺Last chance for Hamilton: For musical theatre lovers, and those intrigued by the global phenomenon that is Hamilton, this week is the last chance you can see Lin-Manuel Miranda’s creation in Brum. Telling the story of America’s Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, the show blends hip-hop, jazz, blues and rap. Tickets here.
🎵Festival faceoff: For fans of live music in Birmingham there are two chances to get your sonic fixes this weekend. In Moseley, the folk and arts festival is headlined by Belle & Sebastian, Dexys and The Levellers while in Digbeth Supersonic Festival sees a wide array of experimental music across multiple venues. Both are nationally renowned so don’t miss out.
It's disappointing that two great little festivals, Moseley Folk & Arts and Supersonic, clash next weekend. Until last year, Supersonic was held in July, but by moving to the weekend after the August bank holiday, it's sharing the patch that Moseley F&A has had for years. Not good for local music lovers!