City of Colours returns to Birmingham’s Digbeth area this weekend
I’ve been waiting a long while for this one. And now, with just a few days to go, the return of The City of Colours is imminent. Indeed, with the revelation that renowned street artists, Phlegm, had been in town and created a huge, secret mural on Coventry Street, arguably, it’s already started.
A one day event guaranteed to not only be bigger, better, brighter and brasher than their freshman year show back in 2014, but also an event promising to literally change the face of Digbeth with over 120 graffiti artists from both the UK and further afield to be spotted across the whole of Digbeth this Saturday 18th June.
The talent is immense, and the mark they leave, no, the legacy they leave in this somewhat neglected part of town, will stand proud for months to come. Or at least until the next one. A living testimony to what Birmingham can achieve and should be achieving on a far more regular basis, I think.
City of Colours brings together street artists and talent from across Birmingham (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
Last time, they had over 10,000 visitors during the day and I imagine there will be more this time round, in this, their sophomore year, given the good vibes and good name The City of Colours conjures up whenever it is mentioned.
Both Karl Paragreen and Becci Wright, the twenty-somethings’ team behind this massive event, did Birmingham proud last time and really showed the world what Birmingham has to offer and this time round, they have even bigger plans.
City of Colours takes place in Digbeth on Saturday 18th June (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
City of Colours is an opportunity to enjoy street art and urban creativity (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
City of Colours in Birmingham showcases street art, music, performance and a carnival atmosphere (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
>> GALLERY: City of Colours street art festival in Birmingham in 2014 <<
As well as the varied workshops available for the kids (and the schools they have once again worked with, including the school I work at, I am proud to say), such as graffiti workshops courtesy of GraffitiArtist.com, there have been some great new partnerships forged that will only add to the carnival atmosphere that I witnessed first hand last time round.
First on my itinerary is the return of the amazing Drink and Draw team of Nigel John Hopkins and Simon Myers, who have been establishing themselves in Birmingham for a while now, with previous events held at the Birmingham Arts’ Museum and over 500 artists, pissed or otherwise, in attendance.
Drink and Draw team Nigel John Hopkins and Simon Myers will be at City of Colours in Birmingham
They’ll be at the Night Owl Northern Soul club venue, while there will be live music throughout the day too, as well as food provided by The Digbeth Dining Club, who have got their work cut out for ‘em, considering they are also at the Kings Heath Street Closure the following day too. Rather them than me.
As for the artists themselves; don’t be afraid to speak to ‘em, either. You might not get the chance again and may well regret it. Personally, whenever I took the time to chat, they did too and were more than happy to talk to one and all. This is a festival wherein the main draw – the artists – are more than approachable. Who knows, if you ask nicely enough, you may even get the odd sketch or two. You won’t know unless you ask.
A topical mural at City of Colours in Digbeth, Birmingham back in 2014 (Photograph: Adam Yosef)
And, as the day turns to night and the kiddies have gone home, there is the after show party at PST, a great way to top off a great day, if you’re that way inclined (and I am). This may well be the month of Glasto and all that, but for me, The City of Colours is a festival in a day, the music, the art; it shows what potential Digbeth really has. It’s just a shame that it’s only once a year. But, I suppose, that’s the point. For me, and other lovers of street art, The City of Colours is my Christmas. And, like Christmas, I’ll worry about the hangover the next day.
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Olly MacNamee
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