BBC Black Sabbath special heading for Birmingham - and it's only £5
BBC Radio WM Celebrates Metal in the Midlands will be a gig held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, July 2, days before Ozzy Osbourne's final bow on Saturday, July 5.
Fans of alternative music are expected to flood into the city ahead of the all-day gig at Villa Park stadium and the BBC show will offer those visitors the chance to see 'rising stars' of the genre in one of Birmingham's grandest venues.
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BBC Radio WM Celebrates Metal in the Midlands will feature three bands, Cherrydead, Gans and Meatdripper, all from the West Midlands.
The event is being presented in conjunction with B: Music and Home Of Metal and it will be a 'sonic exploration of the Sabbath effect over the years'.
A Home of Metal film screening is expected, as well as an industry panel discussion and DJ sets.
Chris Pegg, editor of BBC Radio WM, said: "Birmingham is the birthplace of heavy metal. We wanted to celebrate our rich heritage by presenting this special event as the world's biggest heavy metal bands descend on Birmingham.
"To be presenting a new generation of metal acts in such an important venue for music in the region today demonstrates our commitment to supporting the major music stars of tomorrow."
Chris Proctor, head of programming at B: Music - the charity which manages the Town Hall as well as the Symphony Hall -said: "We're delighted to not only be working with BBC in Birmingham and Home of Metal again, and also the future stars of UK metal - this is shaping up to be a phenomenal night marking the return of four Birmingham musicians.
"It is particularly timely that we host this event celebrating new music, given the recent launch of our She:Music programme, which aims to promote bold cross-genre collaborations and break down the barriers that women, especially those from the global majority, and B:Music's ongoing support for local and emerging talent from across the West Midlands and UK."
Liv, Meatdripper's bassist and vocalist, commented: "I am so honoured to be playing this gig and celebrating the Midlands metal scene. I am even prouder to be repping women and non-binary people in music.
"When I think of Sabbath, I think of the best of Brum. I think of heavy riffs and iconic vocals. It makes me proud to be living in a city with such a legendary music scene."
Tickets to the gig will be priced at £5 with no booking fee and they go on sale at bmusic.co.uk on Friday, May 16 at 10am.
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