Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Part 1 | 20220713 | 20220926 (R4) | Singer Jamelia, who was born and grew up in the Handsworth district of Birmingham, explores music made in the West Midlands - asking if it has a distinct identity. People from the city and the conurbation have made a huge contribution to music all over the world, but Birmingham rarely seems to get the recognition given to other cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield or London. In this two-part series, Jamelia looks at the unique and eclectic musical identity of explores the city and the wider West Midlands, and discovers that its reputation for championing the individual or the underdog may lie in the area's rich history. She hears from experts about Birmingham's musical contribution as far back at the Midlands Enlightenment in the 18th Century as well as the work of composers like Edward Elgar in the late 19th and 20th Century. She also talks to musicians from different genres, hears how they cut their teeth in the pubs and clubs of the West Midlands and explores whether there is a collective Birmingham sound - or at least a special Birmingham approach to music. Birmingham's musical heritage includes heavy metal and Bhangra, and it's an area where all genres thrive. In the 1950s and 60s, the so-called Brum Beat emerged with the NME saying it included over 500 local bands. Is Birmingham Britain's original diverse city when it comes to music and culture more generally? That's one of the questions Jamelia will look to answer as she hears from West Midlands experts and stars including ELO drummer Bev Bevan, Reggae singer Pato Banton, Duran Duran original Stephen Duffy and Apache Indian. Jamelia has a few surprises along the way as she comes face to face with real Birmingham music heritage at a studio where the soundtrack to the legendary Thunderbirds TV series was produced. Grosvenor Road Studios has played host to just about everyone who is anyone in Midlands music since 1945. A Made In Manchester production for BBC Radio 4 Singer Jamelia begins a two-part exploration of music made in her native West Midlands. Birmingham-raised singer Jamelia explores the music made in her native West Midlands. Singer Jamelia, who was born and grew up in the Handsworth district of Birmingham, explores music made in the West Midlands - asking if it has a distinct identity. People from the city and the conurbation have made a huge contribution to music all over the world, but Birmingham rarely seems to get the recognition given to other cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield or London. In this two-part series, Jamelia looks at the unique and eclectic musical identity of explores the city and the wider West Midlands, and discovers that its reputation for championing the individual or the underdog may lie in the area's rich history. She hears from experts about Birmingham's musical contribution as far back at the Midlands Enlightenment in the 18th Century as well as the work of composers like Edward Elgar in the late 19th and 20th Century. She also talks to musicians from different genres, hears how they cut their teeth in the pubs and clubs of the West Midlands and explores whether there is a collective Birmingham sound - or at least a special Birmingham approach to music. Birmingham's musical heritage includes heavy metal and Bhangra, and it's an area where all genres thrive. In the 1950s and 60s, the so-called Brum Beat emerged with the NME saying it included over 500 local bands. Is Birmingham Britain's original diverse city when it comes to music and culture more generally? That's one of the questions Jamelia will look to answer as she hears from West Midlands experts and stars including ELO drummer Bev Bevan, Reggae singer Pato Banton, Duran Duran original Stephen Duffy and Apache Indian. Jamelia has a few surprises along the way as she comes face to face with real Birmingham music heritage at a studio where the soundtrack to the legendary Thunderbirds TV series was produced. Grosvenor Road Studios has played host to just about everyone who is anyone in Midlands music since 1945. A Made In Manchester production for BBC Radio 4 Singer Jamelia begins a two-part exploration of music made in her native West Midlands. Birmingham-raised singer Jamelia explores the music made in her native West Midlands. |
| 02 | Part 2 | 20220720 | 20221003 (R4) | Singer Jamelia, who was born and grew up in Birmingham, explores music made in the West MIdlands - asking if it has a distinct identity. In this second episode of a two part series, Jamelia hears from more musical Midlanders and digs deeper into the area's rich diversity. Is Birmingham the original diverse city? People from the city and the conurbation have made a huge contribution to music all over the world, but Birmingham rarely seems to get the recognition given to other cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield or London. Is it time to shout more about the region's achievements in music? Jamelia continues her look at the unique and eclectic musical identity and hears how the city can lay claim to giving birth to a UK style of bhangra. She also asks if the West Midlands accent actually helps contribute to the area's musicality?. Across the series, Jamelia hears how the various genres that have been championed in Birmingham and the West Midlands have often connected and crossed over. Would Elgar have been into heavy metal were he alive today? Among those contributing to the series are Toyah Wilcox, ELO drummer Bev Bevan, Jaki Graham, reggae singer Pato Banton, Muff Winwood from the Spencer Davis Group, Duran Duran original Stephen Duffy and Apache Indian. Jamelia also visits the legendary Grosvenor Road Studios and finds outs if she's made the Midlands music map. A MIM production for BBC Radio 4 Birmingham-raised singer Jamelia explores the music made in her native West Midlands. Singer Jamelia, who was born and grew up in Birmingham, explores music made in the West MIdlands - asking if it has a distinct identity. In this second episode of a two part series, Jamelia hears from more musical Midlanders and digs deeper into the area's rich diversity. Is Birmingham the original diverse city? People from the city and the conurbation have made a huge contribution to music all over the world, but Birmingham rarely seems to get the recognition given to other cities like Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield or London. Is it time to shout more about the region's achievements in music? Jamelia continues her look at the unique and eclectic musical identity and hears how the city can lay claim to giving birth to a UK style of bhangra. She also asks if the West Midlands accent actually helps contribute to the area's musicality?. Across the series, Jamelia hears how the various genres that have been championed in Birmingham and the West Midlands have often connected and crossed over. Would Elgar have been into heavy metal were he alive today? Among those contributing to the series are Toyah Wilcox, ELO drummer Bev Bevan, Jaki Graham, reggae singer Pato Banton, Muff Winwood from the Spencer Davis Group, Duran Duran original Stephen Duffy and Apache Indian. Jamelia also visits the legendary Grosvenor Road Studios and finds outs if she's made the Midlands music map. A MIM production for BBC Radio 4 Birmingham-raised singer Jamelia explores the music made in her native West Midlands. |