West Midlands Metro customers enjoyed a surprise musical treat when they boarded a special tram packed with some of the best up and coming female singers, musicians and spoken word artists.
As part of celebrations to mark BBC Music Day and 100 years since most women in the UK were granted the right to vote, 24 solo performers graced the moving stage.
With a different artist performing between every stop, The Pass the Mic event last week launched the Festival of Audacity, a multidisciplinary arts activism festival designed to give artists the chance to make the city of Birmingham their stage.
The all-female line up surprised hundreds of commuters as they made their journeys home, with a range of performances from local artists including Lady Sanity, Elektric, PhePhe, Call Me Unique and Dee Ajayi, rubbing shoulders with national stars, Preeya Kalidas, Amelia Monet, Tasha Tah, RIKA, Esha Maria, and Amanjot Sangha.
Audiences were seen dancing along on the no 31 Blue Tram from Wolverhampton to Birmingham.
Compered by BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast Show Presenter Harpz Kaur, the takeover saw a celebration of women throughout with female producers, conductors and photographer.
Artist RIKA said: “Really honoured to take part in such a unique experience with an all female line-up! Really empowering. Also performing on a tram was definitely something I can now tick off my wish list!”
WM Metro Customer Service Manager Vicki Bennett commented: “We wanted to surprise our passengers and I think we have certainly done that! Across the journeys we have heard spoken word, rap and some amazing singers. It has been great to be a part of BBC Music Day again and celebrate the power of music and connect with the people and communities we serve.”
Festival of Audacity Producer, Free Radical’s Amerah Saleh added: “Festival of Audacity is all about presenting brave and audacious art in non-art spaces, disturbing the peace and taking art to audiences as they go about their daily business. It’s about artists making Birmingham their stage.
“Our festival launched with us showcasing incredible female talent from Wolverhampton to Birmingham and back again, celebrating 100 years since most women in the UK were granted the right to vote. More spaces like this need to be carved out for female performers; here at Free Radical we will continue to use art to challenge the world.”
