REGGAE stars Friendly Fire Band are to headline a huge free festival event as Birmingham celebrates the legacy of the 2022 Commonwealth Games – a year after the city successfully staged the sporting spectacle.

Their set will be the finale of A Thousand Welcomes on Friday July 28, a free admission party in the city’s Centenary Square that organisers say will feature a host of artists, athletes and special guests “to conjure the magic and memories of Summer 2022”.

Dhol Blasters

Among others performing at the show, which marks the start of the 10 days of celebration that will make up Birmingham Festival 23, are bhangra stars Dhol Blasters, singer, dancer and multi-instrumentalist Bambi Bains, and Urban Music Award winner SANITY.

Samantha Oxborough at the Games opener

Meanwhile, mezzo-soprano Samantha Oxborough, who performed the national anthem at the 2022 Games Opening Ceremony, will be accompanied by The Choir with No Name and community BSL choir Music in Motion for a moving musical tribute.

Ayo Akinwolere

Hosting the event will be award-winning BBC presenter Ayo Akinwolere and Radio 1Xtra presenter and DJ Kaylee Golding, with DJ Echo Juliet and BBC Asian Network’s Bobby Friction building excitement on the square from 6pm.

Bambi Bains

The show proper will run from 7pm to around 10pm and people are being urged to turn up early to grab a good spot, although there will be a big screen showing not just the live action but also newly-commissioned short films and B2022 highlights.

SANITY

There’ll be messages from some very familiar faces, too, but they are being kept strictly under wraps until the night. A collaboration with Team England will also ensure a host of medal-winning athletes from Birmingham 2022 feature during the evening.

The Choir with No Name

During the Games, Friendly Fire Band captured the spirit of the city with surprise hit It’s A Brum Ting, and guitarist Robin Giorno says: “Being part of the Games last year was incredible. When we wrote It’s A Brum Ting, we knew it was a catchy song but we had no idea that Brummies would take it so much to their hearts. To hear it sung back at us is amazing!

“And it’s not just popular in Birmingham! It’s part of our set and always gets a great reaction wherever we are playing. We can’t wait to play it on the opening night of Birmingham Festival 23 and get the whole crowd singing along.”

Raidene Carter

Festival Creative Director, Raidene Carter, says:  “We think Birmingham deserves a massive pat on the back for what we all achieved last year, and we want everyone who comes along to remember that they played some part in it all and should feel an enormous sense of pride.

“A Thousand Welcomes will be entertaining and rouse positive emotions. We hope to recreate some of that big Summer of 2022 atmosphere, relive some of the memories and importantly, show just how creative the Games were”. 

Commissioned by Birmingham City Council to celebrate the city’s creativity, and as a sign of its ongoing commitment to accessible culture for everyone, Birmingham Festival 23 will take over Centenary Square from July 28 to August 6.

The full festival line-up, including a wide variety of free admission music, dance, art and culture will be announced on Wednesday June 28. Keep an eye on the official Birmingham Festival 23 site for updates.