'More than UB40 and heavy metal': Birmingham's alternative arts and entertainment
The last time Birmingham hosted a major international event - Eurovision and Bill Clinton's visit to the G8 summit, both in May 1998 - the powers that be prepared in painting the crusty grass-lined roads from the airport a vivid green. For the 2022 Commonwealth Games, there was a similar sweep under the civic carpet: unloved buildings draped in huge colorful graphics featuring the mascot (Perry, a patchwork bull) and a desperate rush to hand over the running trams. But this time, the city really seems to be getting something tangible, along with hope that the attention will last longer than the time it takes for an American president to drink a pint of sweetness.
Along with the additions of some transportation infrastructure and locations, there has been an explosion of culture covering the city. In some cases, it's literal: Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange takes liberties with the statue of Queen Victoria in the square that bears her name. Of course, she won't be amused that she's crated and put in a boat with five smaller clones. Locke says he placed the monarch "as if she were about to be dispatched, like so many of those statues of Victoria sent around the world".
The Birmingham Festival 2022 has created, co-opted and repackaged a wide variety of what Brum has to offer culturally this summer. One such exhibition is In the Que (Gas Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, daily until October 30, free). Described as "a sensory celebration of one of the UK's greatest live music venues", this exhibition is a heartfelt tribute to a nightlife legend unique to Brummie. Home to the Grade II listed Gothic Methodist Central Hall for many years, the Que Club was a live music venue, hosting artists such as Pulp and Primal Scream. Perhaps more importantly, it was home to rave and dance culture, with club nights like House of God. Birmingham, this exhibit says, is more than UB40 and heavy metal.
.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement" class="dcr-10khgmf">To enjoy the downtown atmosphere, visit the Games Festival Park Commonwealth in nearby Jewelery District (Great Hampton Row, free).King Kong Park will bring back a long-lost statue of King Kong (last seen in Stewart Lee's recent hit documentary
The last time Birmingham hosted a major international event - Eurovision and Bill Clinton's visit to the G8 summit, both in May 1998 - the powers that be prepared in painting the crusty grass-lined roads from the airport a vivid green. For the 2022 Commonwealth Games, there was a similar sweep under the civic carpet: unloved buildings draped in huge colorful graphics featuring the mascot (Perry, a patchwork bull) and a desperate rush to hand over the running trams. But this time, the city really seems to be getting something tangible, along with hope that the attention will last longer than the time it takes for an American president to drink a pint of sweetness.
Along with the additions of some transportation infrastructure and locations, there has been an explosion of culture covering the city. In some cases, it's literal: Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke's Foreign Exchange takes liberties with the statue of Queen Victoria in the square that bears her name. Of course, she won't be amused that she's crated and put in a boat with five smaller clones. Locke says he placed the monarch "as if she were about to be dispatched, like so many of those statues of Victoria sent around the world".
The Birmingham Festival 2022 has created, co-opted and repackaged a wide variety of what Brum has to offer culturally this summer. One such exhibition is In the Que (Gas Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, daily until October 30, free). Described as "a sensory celebration of one of the UK's greatest live music venues", this exhibition is a heartfelt tribute to a nightlife legend unique to Brummie. Home to the Grade II listed Gothic Methodist Central Hall for many years, the Que Club was a live music venue, hosting artists such as Pulp and Primal Scream. Perhaps more importantly, it was home to rave and dance culture, with club nights like House of God. Birmingham, this exhibit says, is more than UB40 and heavy metal.
.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement" class="dcr-10khgmf">To enjoy the downtown atmosphere, visit the Games Festival Park Commonwealth in nearby Jewelery District (Great Hampton Row, free).King Kong Park will bring back a long-lost statue of King Kong (last seen in Stewart Lee's recent hit documentary
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