With Ozzy\u2019s final farewell at Villa Park just a week away. The countries second city has gone Black Sabbath mad! With everything from tribute gigs and film premieres to pop-up shops and some of the coolest graffiti art we\u2019ve seen in years. Birmingham is a metalheads paradise at the moment. <\/p>\n
Don\u2019t worry though, we\u2019ve put together a guide to some of the coolest activities Brum has to offer this week. So whether you\u2019re looking to fill some time before the heavy metal event of the decade. Or, you just want to bask in a city taken over by rock and roll history. We\u2019ve broken down nine of the coolest spots and events to check out below!<\/p>\n
1. Ozzy Osbourne \u2013 Working Class Hero Exhibit \u2013 Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery<\/strong><\/p>\n The heaviest installations we\u2019ve seen since the \u201cHome of Metal\u201d exhibition took over Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery back in 2011. Ozzy Osbourne \u2013 Working Class Hero gathers some of the coolest memorabila and atrefacts from the Prince of Darkness\u2019s career. Both alongside Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, all the way to the present day. Including displays of Ozzy\u2019s nigh infinite collection of platinum discs, MTV Music Awards, his star from the Hollywood walk of fame and much, much more! The best thing? It\u2019s free!<\/p>\n You\u2019ve got plenty of time to check it out too. As the exhibit is scheduled to run from June 25th to September 28th. So even if you aren\u2019t in Birmingham for the big day, it\u2019s still worth adding to your calendar. You can find out more information via Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery\u2019s official website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2. Black Sabbath Bridge \u2013 Broad Street \u2013 Birmingham<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Another free Black Sabbath sightseeing oppurtunity that we highly recommend taking in ahead of their final show this week. The iconic Black Sabbath bridge. Featuring a bench baring the likeness of all four members of the iconic group. Black Sabbath Bridge can be found on Broad Street, the heart of Birminghams nightlife. Just up from Birmingham Symphony Hall. Making it a perfect selfie spot for any visitors looking to immortalise themselves alongside rock and roll royalty. <\/p>\n 3. Selfridges Pop-up Shop Takeover \u2013 Bullring Shopping Centre \u2013 Birmingham City Centre<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Selfridges, located in Birminghams famous Bullring shopping centre have gone Black Sabbath mad this week. Dedicating one of their massive window displays to Ozzy & Co as well as setting up one of the coolest pop-shops we\u2019ve ever seen! With selfie spots, exclusive merch and a life-sized Lego Ozzy. Selfridges have really let their hair down with this one. Meaning it\u2019s definitely a spot worth visiting, especially if you want to grab a bit of extra Sabbath memorablia.<\/p>\n 4. The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne World Premiere \u2013 ThinkTank \u2013 Millenium Point<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Charting Ozzy\u2019s rise to the top. All the way from his poverty stricken childhood in Birmingham, through his time in Black Sabbath, his incredible career as a solo artist. All the way to being one of reality TV\u2019s most relateable father figures. The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne biopic is set to make it\u2019s World Premiere on July 4th. With two showing scheduled at Birminghams Think Tank at Millenium Point and a Q&A with Jack Osbourne set to take place after the evening showing. As cinematic events go, they don\u2019t come much more metal than this!<\/p>\n Tickets have sold out since the premiere was announced back in May. However, you can try and pick up any last minute seats or just find out more about The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne over at the official Millenium Point website here<\/a>.<\/p>\n 5. \u2018Summer of Sabbath\u2019 \u2013 Bonehead \u2013 Lower Severn St. Birmingham<\/strong><\/p>\n\n All that sightseeing got you craving a snack? Look no further! Bonehead, already renowned as one of the countries finest purveyors of chicken and frosty cold beverages, have jumped wings first into the vibe this week. Hosting their very own \u2018Summer of Sabbath\u2019 event. Running from Thursday July 3rd through until Sunday July 6th. The Sabbath inspired menu will feature a special \u2018Heaven & Hell\u201d bowl. As well as limited edition cocktails, exclusive merch and a suitably heavy playlist!<\/p>\n 6. \u201910th Annual Black Sabbath Convention\u2019 \u2013 Ye Olde Foundry \u2013 Dudley<\/strong><\/p>\n\n Not to be left out of the celebrations, Black Country institution, Ye Olde Foundry will be holding the tenth annual Black Sabbath Convention on Friday July 4th. Featuring a set by tribute band Sabbotage as well as a live Q&A with Sabbath\u2019s former band manager, Jim Simpson. It may be a little way outside Birmingham, but if you\u2019re in town for the night before, it\u2019s definitely worth checking out. Head on over to Ye Olde Foundry\u2019s social media<\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n 7. Metal In The Midlands \u2013 Birmingham Town Hall \u2013 Victoria Square<\/strong><\/p>\n BBC WM are taking over Birmingham Town Hall with a little help from B:Music on July 2nd. With a line-up of top local heavy metal talent including Meat Dripper, Cherry Dead and Gans. As well as a headline performance from Midlands metalcore oufit, Defects. Tickets are on sale now<\/a>. However, like most ticketed events occuring in the city centre we don\u2019t expect them to last long.<\/p>\n\n 8. Ozzy The Bull \u2013 Grand Central Station \u2013 Birmingham City Centre<\/strong><\/p>\n\n For those travelling into Birmingham, Ozzy The Bull is difficult to miss. However, even if you aren\u2019t getting into the city via rail next weekend. It\u2019s worth paying a visit to one of the biggest (literally) stars of 2022\u2019s Commonwealth Games in Grand Central Station. You can find directions and further travel information for the big day over on their official website<\/a>.<\/p>\n 9. @mrmurals Black Sabbath Mural \u2013 New Street, Birmingham<\/strong><\/p>\n Finally, if you\u2019re travelling through the city centre at all. It\u2019s worth taking a diversion to check out @mrmurals amazing Black Sabbath tribute piece. Stretching around the outside of Birminghams New Street Train Station. It looks absolutely fantastic and is a two minute walk from Ozzy The Bull, making it easy to grab two heavy metal photo opportunities in one!<\/p>\n Of course, even if you weren\u2019t lucky enough to bag tickets for Back To The Beginning. Black Sabbaths historic final show will also be streamed worldwide in association with Kiswe and Mercury Studio\u2019s. With all proceeds going to Cure Parkinsons, Acorn Childrens Hospice and Birmingham Childrens Hosptial. Tickets and an exclusive collectors package for the live stream are available now<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information on all things Black Sabbath you can head over to the bands official website<\/a>. Or follow them on social media<\/a> to stay totally up to date on any further announcements<\/p>\n \t\t