Summary
Highlights
Jen from Raw Sound TV introduces the 'What's Happenin' Day' event in Digbeth, Birmingham, taking place across Dead Wax, The Night Owl, and Mamaroo. The event aims to showcase cool bands, engage with people, and explore the venues.
Attendees and organizers explain the necessity of the event for Birmingham's music scene, emphasizing the need to celebrate good venues and artistic talent. They highlight the goal of bringing touring bands to Birmingham and providing local bands with opportunities to play alongside them, showcasing the city's strong venue offerings.
Participants discuss the strong sense of community and the great atmosphere at the festival. Many describe it as a big family gathering, where everyone supports each other and enjoys the music in a warm, intimate, and often sweaty environment. The staggered schedule allows attendees to see multiple bands without conflicts.
Musicians share the challenges of navigating the independent music world, competing with larger labels, and the struggle to get audiences to venues. They stress the critical role of grassroots venues, warning that their closure would prevent the rise of future iconic bands, and emphasize the need to protect and nurture these spaces.
Organizers express their vision for the event's future, aiming to grow it annually to include more venues and eventually attract national artists to Digbeth. The goal is to establish Birmingham as a creative hub, offering opportunities for local talent and fostering a community proud of its vibrant music scene.
The organizers highlight the event's affordability (£25 for live music) and accessibility, ensuring that economic status doesn't bar people from enjoying music. They also offered guest list tickets to local artists for networking, aiming to build a strong, supportive community hub in Birmingham.