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Voting closes at MIDNIGHT tonight - Fri 30 May 2008 -
any votes cast after this deadline WILL NOT BE COUNTED!

In the 70's, Punk rocked down the Kings Road while the late 80’s and early 90's raved to Madchester. England's second city however, has never been the focus of an era defining 'scene'. And that's exactly why you should vote Birmingham as The Most Musical City says ‘Superstar’ supporter Jamelia.

“Not convinced by Brum? Well, how about this? Nowhere in the country is there a more diverse musical melting pot which represents a city's people and their culture while reflecting the nature of its streets. While some cities represent a place in time, Birmingham has been happy to represent itself with a stream of artists of every age, race and genre from Ozzy Osbourne to Ocean Colour Scene and Duran Duran to Dexy's Midnight Runners and ELO.

As a city Birmingham is proud of its multi-racial population and nowhere else can boast a musical history covering the reggae of UB40 (one of Britain’s most successful acts ever) to the political rap of Asian Dub Foundation and artists such as Malkit Singh and Bally Sagoo who have helped make Brum synomynous with Bhangra.

Jazz and classical music also play a part in our musical mix. The city hosts the UK’s largest annual international jazz festival, as well as hosting the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and various prestigious international orchestras at one of the finest concert halls in the world - the Symphony Hall.

Birmingham's music scene is one big mash-up offering everything and anything for everyone. Yet, perhaps we do have our very own 'scene'. Aptly, it's the most unloved of all, but remains alive and kicking to this day - the heavy rock, big hair and leather of Metal...

1970's Britain was stricken by economic hardship and a collective post flower-power hangover. As people got angrier, music got darker - and with the release of the eponymous 'Black Sabbath' on Friday February 13th, 1970 - a whole lot louder. Not only did Birmingham give the world Ozzy Osbourne, but also Led Zeppelin, a band who would rival the Beatles for US album sales and Judas Priest, whose big haired metal also successfully crossed the Atlantic.

So, why vote for Birmingham? In Black Sabbath and Led Zep we have given birth to two of the unlikeliest biggest bands ever, Duran Duran led the 80’s 'Second American Invasion' and our artists are as diverse as our people. But, Birmingham remains 'uncool', so stand out from the crowd and vote for the underdog.”

Do you agree? Have your say below...

Ben Puig Guerra
May 29, 2008
Birmingham is a city full of culture. Music has always been part of every brummies 's life, from the lovely musical way of talking to the glamouros nights in the city centre IN BIRMINGHAM MUSIC IS EVERYWHERE !!!
Nobby (munchbreak)
May 29, 2008
Birmingham has given birth to world class artists in all genres of music whether it be Rock, Folk, Reggae, HipHop, Jazz, or Classical.
Unfortunately, we have no record industry here and therefore artists have to leave our city to find fame. record companies don't come here to look for talented artists and it makes it a real struggle for artists to survive and thrive.
I bleieve this is the reason Birmingham never shines in the media spotlight.
I hope in the future the music industry will realise Birmingham has a lot of talent to offer and will start to invest in our city
Until then, Just keep on keepin on!!
Martin
May 29, 2008
Message to Jon below: Wolverhampton is not Birmingham.
Paula
May 29, 2008
Don't forget the underground scene there are lots of talented MCs and DJs in the garage, jungle, bass, hip-hop, & grunge arena. Also the Jazz scene and live music - Brum is full of all kinds of good music!
Steve Grogan
May 28, 2008
Birmingham's local live music scene is second to none and caters for all tastes and communities. It is fresh and exciting and BIRMINGHAM is the best MUSICAL city.
Tricia
May 28, 2008
there are lots of new unsigned bands out there with a great deal of talent and the young people of this City need more low cost practice and recording studio's,(Arts Council we need your investment)
Thomas Carter
May 28, 2008
I do believe that Ziggy Stardust himself David Bowie is from the midlands and birmingham, don't forget that legend! I myself am a singer songwriter and proud to be part of the Birmingham scene. Oh and what about Steve Gibbons??? Jeez Louise! Misty's Big Adventure... Check out the Tom Belamy Band! Should definately be at the end of the road fest! Big Respect.
Iain
May 28, 2008
One area that has been forgotten by other posters so far is Birmingham's huge input into the dance music world. Some of the biggest dance music brands of many genres have started here or based themselves here. Godskitchen, Gatecrasher and Sundissential to name just three. Its venues - both new and old - have been both legendary as well as award winners (Q Club, The Sanctuary/Digbeth Institute, The Works) - as well as venues used for live music (Academy, the now gone Mackadown, the re-invigorated Town Hall, Symphony Hall, etc). Birmingham has the artists, the diversity, the infrastructure, the vision and the creativity to rival any other in not only England but the world for title of "Most Musical City".
musically sound
May 28, 2008
We are the best, don't forget UB40, Musical Youth, Steel Pulse need I say more
Magic
May 28, 2008
I think Birmingham is well known for their music but is it great though?
Elaine
May 28, 2008
Birmingham just Rocks, every night the City centre is rocking to the sounds of new and up and coming Bands. Pubs and clubs, providing the venue for these young musicians throughout the week. The music is wide and varied just like the people who go and listen and watch. An evenings entertainment can cost as little as £3.00 entrance. Fill your ears , souls and minds by listening to what Birmingham offers in the sound of music, venues throughout our City
Irene Jones
May 28, 2008
Birmingham is the biz for all kinds of music. You want it - you got it and in a wide variety of venues!
jack
May 28, 2008
do not forget the Irish sound, "Drowsy Maggie" is one of the best Irish Folk groups around and many talented Irish singers and Musicians
Jon
May 23, 2008
Don't forget Scott Matthews and Ben Christophers (both from Wolverhampton)
Assad
May 23, 2008
Internationally, Birmingham wins hands down. There has been more international artists coming from Birmingham than any other UK city followed very closely by London. If you were to ask anyone outside of the UK which is the most musical city based on the evidence it would easily be brum. But Britain is an island and thus acts like one so it is doubtful that Birmingham will win, even though it really should. But then again we should be used to this kind of unfairness and biased as Brummies don't you think?
Steve S
May 23, 2008
And nobody should forget that Birmingham is commissioning some of the best new music in Britain today, courtesy of the world class Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and their wonderful Sound Investment scheme.
Wardy
May 16, 2008
The one thing that Birmingham has is a real cultural mixture, from reggae to bhangra it has to be said that in today's society it is more representative of the real music scene than any of its northern counterparts!
Tim M
May 14, 2008
Birmingham has consistently provided top acts of all genres throughout modern musical history. Long may it continue
Tim
May 13, 2008
I went to see a performance by young people from the Birmingham Conservatoire contemporary music group last week in the Town Hall. Spine tingling stuff. And the Town Hall is quite brilliant - more eviidence of the City's commitment to live performance. And what about the New Generation Arts Festival - the youngest City showcasing the very best of young musical talent. Should heve been Capital of Culture - def Capital of Music!
Sarah
May 10, 2008
Don't forget the wonderful Fyfe Dangerfield from The Guillemots, Nizlopi, & Mr Hudson & The Library, as well as the fabulous newly-reopened Town Hall and festivals such as Fierce!, Supersonic and GIGBETH. Brum rocks.
musicmanmatty
May 02, 2008
Birmingham as a musical city absolutely WWROCKS! but don't forget all the great talent that was spawned only a stones throw away. The mighty Slade, The Wonder Stuff, Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Move and the Moody Blues, and thats just for starters! Basically, The Midlands has it all.
geoff
May 02, 2008
c'mon lete eare the noize come on you Slade !1
Chris O'Connor
April 27, 2008
Birmingham Conservatoire is also one of the major establishments in teaching generations of new musicians who are all wonderfully talented. And has thriving specialist areas such as recorder, saxophone, early music, contemporary music to name a few!
rea
April 27, 2008
not forgetting Dodgy, PWEI, The Wonder Stuff, The Editors, The Twang, The Move
Jo D
April 23, 2008
Birmingham is a very musical city but it is under threat from developers at the minute who are trying to force noise abatement orders on live music venues!! Keep music live and make Birmingham the most musical city so that we can show the developers exactly how much music means to the City!!!!
Paul Ashton
April 23, 2008
Like Teresa I'm a brummie and I have to say that the rich tapestry of musical genres emanating from Birmingham over the years has been quite extraordinary. I might add Spencer Davis and Steve Winwood and the original Moody Blues to the list above. What's more, as you say, the classical scene is blossoming like never before. Symphony Hall and Town Hall together provide venues we can be very proud of.
Readair
April 23, 2008
I agree with you Teresa, not only all of the above fantastic bands like Sabbath and Zeppelin, arguably two of the biggest bands ever, but don't forget the wonderful Slade, the brilliant Wizard and last but not least the infamous Steve Winwood! Come on Birmingham!!
Sam Reynolds
April 23, 2008
Brum's musical history speaks for itself, loud and clear, no more need be said.
Nick Byng
April 23, 2008
Birmingham is an often overlooked hotbed of musical talent, our claims to fame are rarely championed as it just isn't in our nature, as Charles Dickens once wrote about Brummies - "...excellently balanced by a nice instinct, as free from servility on the one hand, as from self-conceit on the other" and it shows in the music, we just get on with it without much hype. It can lead to new bands having to work very hard to get noticed but I don't think the Greater Birmingham area has done too bad so far. We have two of the most famous rock singers ever to emerge from the 60s Brumbeat scene (Plant and Ozbourne) and Birmingham definitely wears the crown of Reggae bands, from Steel Pulse to Musical Youth, if you find any "scene" you'll probably find a Brum band to fit into it, just look through a few of the hundreds of quality Brumbeat bands here: www.myspace.com/brumbeat good luck to all the cities though, lets hope this stirrs up some positive action.
Richard
April 22, 2008
no mention of the beat/rankin' rogerm, the Twang, Editors, etc? Aren't Asian Dub Foundation from London?
Teresa Gilding
April 22, 2008
as a brummie i have experienced what birmingham has to offer musically there is no other place in the country like it! go birmingham go!

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