Ceremony: Pop Comes to Campus

Ceremony: Pop Comes to Campus, 1965–95 is an installation celebrating the University of Birmingham’s rich but often overlooked role in local and global music culture. Drawing on newly uncovered posters, photographs and archive material, the project was developed by Birmingham Music Archive in collaboration with UoB student researchers, who traced three decades of popular and alternative music on campus.

From the mid-1960s onwards, the University was a key stop on the ‘university touring circuit’. Gigs organised by the student events committee brought world-class acts to venues across campus, giving audiences of students and staff a first glimpse of artists who would go on to shape music history.

The Guild of Students, Deb Hall, High Hall, Founders Bar, Mason Hall and Cellar Bar hosted hundreds of performances, with line-ups that included Joan Armatrading, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, The Cure, The Human League, The Who, and UB40.

One of the most remarkable finds was material from Joy Division’s last ever gig, held at the University. Rare photographs and an original set list were brought to light and are now displayed as part of the installation — a reminder of the campus’s unique place in music history.

Birmingham Uni’s famous alumni include:

• Joan Armatrading, singer-songwriter and recipient of the Ivor Novello Award
• Janet Beat, electronic music pioneer
• Sister Bliss AKA Ayalah Deborah Bentovim, co-founder of Faithless, who had seven UK top ten singles
• Spencer Davis, whose 1960s band reached number one with Keep On Running
• Amrita Hunjan, singer with R&B/pop band Rouge
• Simon Le Bon, lead singer of Duran Duran
• Mistress Mo AKA Mo Jones, co-promoter and DJ at Flashback and co-founder of TicketSellers.
• Bill Sharpe of jazz-funk band Shakatak
• Karl Willetts, death metal vocalist of Bolt Thrower and Memoriam

The installation can be seen at Bramall Music Building, University of Birmingham.

Admission: Free