Brum Rocks Live! The greatest spectacle

Photos by Katja Ogrin

“Brutally beautiful people of Brum, breaking boundaries and coming together as one Brutally beautiful people of Brum, bigger, badder and better as one”

It was the culmination of 14 months of meetings, workshops, rehearsals and lots of scratching that finally came to life on 14th July 2024 in the form of Brum Rocks Live! A combination of professional musicians, tutors and aspiring rock stars – myself included – who have taken their rightful place on stage to bring you live music in a unique and captivating performance.
It was an opportunity to hear some well-known classics revisited and reimagined to provide an evening of lively entertainment.

Let’s take a quick look at the brains behind the outfit, Reuben Penny is the musical director of Misfits Music and Brum Rocks – aka the main wrangler, he likes to tell people what to do, ahem – he’s responsible for the comings and goings, Rosie’s wife is the executive producer of Brum Rocks, Rob Jones is the artistic director, Jim Nankivell, the producer and Rodrigo Orquera, the senior music leader, led the workshops, Louise Blackburn is our choir leader and behind us we have Jamie and Saffron who are part of the intern team for Misfits.
BRMB’s Luke Crawford is hosting the evening and 400 people packed into this iconic venue, we kicked off with a bit of spice with Hit The Dhol who performed a well-tuned set of Bhangra beats, a perfect East meets moment West as they relayed the crucial messages. for the night, using football as a clever vehicle to be inclusive and unifying. We had solid reinforcements from the house band, various choirs, The Moseley and Bearwood Rock Collectives, we were treated to three original works. The first was ‘Brum Rocks’ and the second ‘Black Country Fever’ celebrating our colorful local talent.

Jasmine Gardosi.
The singers and instrumentalists worked on four classics and a specially commissioned song written by our very own Birmingham Poet Laureate, Jasmine Gardosi, entitled ‘Brummie Steel’, it’s an exclusive composition, enchanting and rapturous and acknowledging all that we have. darling in our city renowned for its musical prowess and prowess. The pulsating singing and spectacular beatboxing that followed was enriching and coursing through our veins, synergistic and vibrant. The choir was tuned to perfection as they performed “Hold the Line” by Toto, “Don’t Bring Me Down” by ELO, “So What” by Pink and “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi, all songs that they are firm favorites with the public. Louise Blackburn is such an enthusiastic and inspirational figure; her fervor and enthusiasm are contagious. With her joyful nature, a nose for melodies and harmonies, she takes this choir into territories we would never go alone. Stimulated by video messages from Rob Halford, Joan Armatrading, Fyfe Dangerfield, Nick Mason CBE and Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, all legends in their own right, we are motivated to exceed our own and others’ expectations.
An idea supported by unity, community and the need to escape our rootedness and entrapment of daily routine, a chance for us to learn what else we are capable of and feel alive and productive, allowing for positive and confident vibes.
It’s time to raise a glass to our hometown, which over the years has made us proud, everyday people have had the opportunity to show their appreciation for the music, for the incredible songs you’ve provided and for the award you’ve we share Birmingham as our heart. and cultural hearth, and for all this we thank you!

Azra Pathan – Brum Rocks Live! 14 July 2024, The Forum, Birmingham.