Birmingham’s BASS festival announces ten events to mark 10th anniversary

BASS 15 will celebrate ten years of legends and icons of black music with ten specially curated new events. Additionally, for the first time in ten years, BASS will host events outside of the city of Birmingham, and will also run alongside the UK’s Black History month (October). Its theme this year is  Icons; shining a spotlight on black music legends, past and present.

Bass 15 features a programme of 10 iconic events throughout the month of October, with major performances in Birmingham and key venues outside the city. Programmed by Birmingham-based music development agency Punch, Bass 15 will bring unforgettable music experiences featuring specially commissioned new work.

This years events include:
My Ten Radio – Birmingham welcomes a brand new youth-led radio station ready for broadcast on FM for 28 days. It is an open opportunity for young people aspiring experience/career in radio.

The Lovers Rock Monologues – presenting three living legends who transformed the sound of UK Reggae. The event brings the sound of timeless music from the 80’s into theatre for one night only. Featuring Carroll Thompson, Victor Romero Evans and Janet Kay.

The Lowdown – This talk will spark conversations with three pioneering women who have influenced the music industry. The Lowdown is an in-depth Q&A that invites key industry figures to share their creative journeys and expertise.

Desi Dikhana: Bend it like Beckham – BASS 15 presents the power of British Asian Cinema by showcasing the classic 2002 film; BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM. A movie that defines the era of girl power, young love and humour portraying the British-Asian community. This feel good movie became a worldwide hit and is now at the West End. The evening will feature a Q&A with talent from the film.

Future Icons – a special a hip-hop event in London featuring a host of new talent including Age of Luna, Otha Soul and Rachel Foxx.

Director of Punch, and curator of BASS 15, Ammo Talwar MBE says: “I’m very excited about this years tenth BASS programme – It’s been a great journey and over the past 10 years we have commissioned over 150 artists across the UK. We are passionate about curating a programme that has a national footprint which also expands our audience base”

Bass Festival is globally recognised as a force in the UK’s black music and arts scene, bringing a world-class line-up of artists to the region every year since its launch in 2006. BASS focuses on a different theme each year. Past themes have included; Soul, Jamaica, and Revolution. 

Over the years, BASS has been instrumental in breaking emerging artists such as Ghetts, George The Poet, JP Cooper, and Professor Green. BASS has also provided a stage for musical stalwarts including Goldie, Jah Shaka, Giles Peterson and Channel One sound-system to new, young and diverse audiences in the region.