BBC Radio WM will host a special event celebrating Black Sabbath’s legacy and the Midlands’ metal scene. The evening, titled BBC Radio WM celebrates Metal in the Midlands, will take place on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, at the historic Town Hall in Birmingham.
Three rising UK metal bands—CHERRYDEAD, GANS, and Meatdripper—will perform live. All three come from the West Midlands and represent the future of heavy music. Their styles range across sludge, stoner, doom, folk, psychedelic, alternative, and nu metal, blending influences from hardcore, punk, and hard rock. These bands have gained strong support from fans, the music industry, and media nationwide.
The event is presented by BBC Radio WM in partnership with B: Music and Home of Metal. It highlights how a new generation of metal artists continues to shape the genre and celebrates the lasting influence of Black Sabbath.
Black Sabbath’s founding members—Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward—were born in Birmingham’s Aston area. In the late 1960s, they created a distinct heavy metal sound. Their music inspired a wide range of metal styles, helping to grow the genre into a global industry worth billions. Black Sabbath’s influence remains strong in music, fan communities, and popular culture worldwide.
The BBC Radio WM event coincides with Black Sabbath’s much-anticipated final show, Back to the Beginning, at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday, 5 July 2025.
Alongside live performances, the evening will include a film screening by Home of Metal, an industry panel discussion, and DJ sets. More details will be announced soon. The event also marks a homecoming for Black Sabbath’s members, who will be awarded the Freedom of the City for their outstanding contributions to Birmingham and the wider Midlands.
Chris Pegg, Editor of BBC Radio WM, said, “Birmingham is the birthplace of Heavy Metal. This event celebrates our city’s rich musical heritage. Bringing together the world’s biggest metal acts and a new generation of bands at such an iconic venue shows our commitment to supporting the music stars of tomorrow.”
The Town Hall in Birmingham is a Grade I listed historic building that has hosted Black Sabbath multiple times, including shows on 8 January 1971 and 24 January 1972. Ozzy Osbourne also performed an intimate fan show there on 26 June 2010. These historic moments create a perfect setting for this celebration.
Chris Proctor, Head of Programming at B: Music, which manages Town Hall Birmingham, added, “We are proud to work again with BBC Radio WM and Home of Metal. Hosting this event with the future stars of UK metal is a fantastic way to honor Birmingham’s music legacy.
“It is especially meaningful as it follows the launch of our She:Music program, which promotes bold cross-genre collaborations and supports women, especially from underrepresented groups. B: Music continues to back local and emerging talent from the West Midlands and across the UK.”
The event is organized by BBC Radio WM senior content producer Nina Lammiman and city music consultant Lyle Bignon. Support comes from Capsule, Supersonic Festival, Home of Metal director Lisa Meyer, and B: Music’s Chris Proctor. BBC Radio WM celebrates Metal in the Midlands recognizes the important role heavy metal plays in Birmingham’s cultural identity.
Liv, bassist and vocalist of Meatdripper, said, “I’m honored to perform at this event and celebrate the Midlands metal scene. I’m proud to represent women and non-binary musicians. When I think of Sabbath, I think of the best of Birmingham—heavy riffs and iconic vocals. It makes me proud to be part of such a legendary music community.”
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