We’re kicking off our first full day at Victoria Square Festival Site with a bang! Start your day on the right foot with Sofunk Dance Fitness, a groovy exercise class set to the best Soul, Funk and Disco classics. Created by the fabulous Sharon Brown, Sofunk is bound to get you smiling and moving. Then, get the kids down for Perry’s Playtime Disco - your opportunity to have a boogie with the Commonwealth Games’ official mascot!
At lunchtime, female-led music platform Amplify Sounds have curated an amazing Singer Songwriter Showcase, packed with some outstanding local talent. Amplify Sounds began in the heart of lockdown and 2020 as a way of enabling original artists from the West Midlands to perform online when venues were closed. Since then, they have supported over 100 original and emerging artists from the Midlands through live performance events, live online broadcasts and wider digital content production and promotion.
Schedule
9.15 AM: Sunrise Stretch: Sofunk Dance Fitness
10.30 AM: Perry’s Playtime Disco
12 PM: Amplify Sounds Presents: Singer Songwriter Showcase
2.30PM: Screen Spotlight: Commonwealth Connections
5 PM: Amplify Sounds Presents: Friday Friyayyyyy
7.15 PM: B:Music Presents: Break Out Brass
Throughout the day: Games action on screen, Piing, Screen Spotlights, food & drink
Check out their lineup:
YNES takes influence from the North American DIY-punk scene and the Britpop revival of the late 2000's. Having found a sweet spot between the two, YNES splashes tongue-in-cheek lyricism over a high-energy punk canvas.
Madra Rua was created by Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist, James Reidy. Born from the ashes of his previous pop project, this new twist creates an indie pop/rock sound influenced by the likes of Sam Fender, Michael Kiwanuka and The Beatles.
Uromi is a multi-instrumental and multi-genre singer, songwriter and producer. With inspiration and influences from soul, indie rock and highlife/afrobeat, he aims to constantly push his own boundaries, aiming for a truly unique sound.
Felix is a Birmingham-based singer-songwriter who creates an undeniably infectious brand of pop inspired by indie, electronica, R&B, synth-wave and pop. Coupled with his emotively intelligent lyricism and panache for storytelling, Felix has expertly crafted a future-forward, unforgettable sound.
John Bernard is a s spoken word and rap artist, becoming one of the most recognised voices both in and outside the Midlands. Whether through his poetry, music or spoken word, John gives all his energy, listeners motivated and inspired.
In the afternoon, discover Commonwealth Connections, the first in our Screen Spotlight series. A joint project from the British Council, Birmingham Education Partnership, Youth sports Trust and the Birmingham 2022, 60 schools in the West Midlands were twinned with counterparts from the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This international project has promoted cultural exchanges between students throughout the Commonwealth, with a specific focus on arts and sport.
Amplify Sounds will be back later in the day to kickstart your Friday night with another fabulous lineup - it’s Friday Friyayyyy! Featuring pop, soul, R&B and more, these artists bring exactly what you need to get you in the weekend mood.
Molly’s irresistible pop melodies are influenced by her honest experiences as a young woman. Through her music, she tells stories of growing up around different groups of people, coming of age and honest thoughts on youth.
Liv Campbell is a contemporary Soul artist from the West Midlands, with one of the most beautiful voices we are lucky to be hearing at the Victoria Square Festival Site. Inspired by Lianne La Havas, IAMDDB and Erykah Badu, this singer songwriter is known for her soulful tones and irresistible melodies.
La Shana Latrice is a true queen of R&B. With a national re-awakening to the genre La Shana has been pioneering the sound and making real waves in the industry, on UK & US soil. Fresh from a little remix with the king of cool, Idris Elba, she is poised to dominate the scene in 2022 and beyond.
Mayday is a creative powerhouse, known for his high tempo rhythms and almost weekly releases. The King of Kingstanding is a force to be reckoned with, as his loyal and growing fanbase testifies.
Tai is the next rising star of the Midlands music scene. At just 13 years old Tai has more skill on the mic than the most mature MC. Lyrically Tai stays true to herself and sings about the world from the perspective of a teenage girl observing and experiencing life.
In the evening, stick around for an unmissable disco brass blend, courtesy of Break Out Brass, the UK’s leading female brass band! They will be performing all of your favourite tunes from Cheryl Lynn to Earth, Wind & Fire - guaranteed to deliver a memorable evening in central Brum. Presented by B:Music and generously funded by Colmore BID and Central BID.
At various times during the day, challenge your friends, family and other audience members to a game of Piing. Piing is a virtual game that brings people together, inviting them to play an immersive high-speed game, using their phones as controllers, with the action happening on our big screen. Piing is super simple, uniquely challenging and seriously fun. Presented by Comic Relief - donations are encouraged as part of gameplay. Comic Relief intends to split all proceeds equally between Comic Relief and registered charities United by Birmingham 2022 Legacy Charity and Commonwealth Sport Foundation.
The Festival Food and Drink Eatery, a pop up catering unit, will offer a range of tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner treats daily from 8am to 10pm. From lunchtime, the square will also be licensed for people to enjoy drinks from the bar, including a choice of social enterprise prosecco and cocktails for those looking to support a worthy cause as they enjoy the Games atmosphere.
The menus will change across the two weeks, giving return visitors something different to look forward to and showcasing some of the finest Colmore eateries and bars in the city. For early risers, who want a healthy treat on the way into the city, perhaps after enjoying the Sunrise Stretch sessions, there will be granola yoghurt pots, overnight oats, kombucha and coffee. From lunchtime you can pick up salads, deli bakes, vegan cakes, muffins and pastries plus appetising ciabatta and focaccia sandwiches. There will also be biriyani, vegetarian papdi chaat, spicy chicken noodles and veggie stir fry to enjoy whilst listening to the Fountain Stage Music programme plus kebab wraps, shawarmas with selections of salads, pickles, and sauces and vegan options including crispy tofu. Games and Festival site visitors will be spoilt for choice!
Visitors and passers by are also invited to watch sporting highlights from the Games on our big screen, and take a look at digital commissions and projects from the Birmingham 2022 Festival at our Screen Spotlights.
