aaamusic | On 17, Apr 2020

Birmingham has long-been a hotbed for talented musicians. There really isn’t a city that can claim to have had more diversity in the talent of musicians that have been creating in Birmingham. Artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, UB40 and The Streets have all started in the second city; with Birmingham possibly being the only thing that all three of those acts have in common.

The city continues to be hotbed for new and up-and-coming talent, which means next time you’re in Birmingham, it will be worth heading to one of these iconic music venues selected by WeLoveBrum.co.uk to take in a live show and see the act in live action. But, who should you be setting your sights on seeing?

The Americas

Indie music has a place in the heart for millions of fans around the world, and one of the best bands that would appeal to fans of that genre would be The Americas. The four-piece band have a unique sound that will leave songs stuck in your head throughout the day. One of their most popular releases ‘Tenth Day Of May’ was a huge hit when it was debuted at Villa Park at half time in a fixture in the 2016-17 season. The band were formed in 2015, and have gone on to be a huge hit at the Worcester Music Festival. Their inspiration comes from rock music in the 60s and 70s.

Philippa Zawe

One artist that is certain to leave her mark on you is Philippa Zawe. The solo artist has a stunning voice, which is only complimented by her wistful guitar. Her soulful voice is bound to leave you thinking about seeing her again, and again. Her songs are complex, which only shows how talented she is, with her latest release ‘Disadvantaged’ using a cello, guitar drums and harmonised vocals to make the listener feel something that they may not have experienced before. She also does her part for charity, with funds from her ‘Road of Hope’ album going towards the support effort for the refugee crisis.

HAQ 123

Nothing comes close to the experience that you get at a gig when there is a power trio on stage. HAQ 123 are inspired by Sabbath, and have already got festival experience at Supernormal under their belt. Miller Killer is the vocalist and is only 10-years-old, while Zacattack is eleven and plays the drums. Dave plays the bass, and has reiterated throughout the band’s history that he should be old enough to know better. The age range in this band ensures that they get attention, but their recent album ‘Heavy Mess’ shows that there is more to them than just a novelty factor.

Figure.09

One of the best up and coming acts in Birmingham is Figure.09. He is from Halesowen in the West Midlands, and regularly headlines shows in the second city. His sound is unique, as he has a complex mix between grime and hip-hop, where he uses his own experiences as inspiration. His recent release of ‘Yellow’ features the song ‘Ghost’, which is a haunting experience of what mental health suffers go through on a daily basis. He is certainly one to watch out for over the next 12 months.