Let’s face it, Birmingham is a way better place for partiers than book lovers. The city isn’t exactly overflowing with bookshops (head to Hay on Wye for somewhere like that), but those it does have are pretty special. Top among them has to be The Heath Bookshop, which is going the extra mile by launching its very own ‘literature and music festival’.
The inaugural Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival will take place in and around Kings Heath on April 18 – 21. Over four days, the area will be buzzing with author events, music shows and art commissions (in spoken word, film, dance and sound) that celebrate the connections between literature and music. Just some of the big names stopping by include Robin Ince, General Levy, and Catherine O’Flynn.
“We’ve aimed to put together a Festival that offers something different to audiences,” said Catherine and Claire, co-owners at The Heath Bookshop. “We’ve got musicians talking about their lives and the books they have written and we have writers talking about music. With music in the bookshop and literature events in music venues, we can’t wait to welcome audiences to the Festival.”
What is happening at the Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival?
The literature and music festival starts with award-winning stand-up, presenter and author Robin Ince exploring his lifelong love of bookshops at Queensbridge School. Meanwhile, How Brave is the Wren, festival partner and children’s bookshop, will present their weekly Story Time with a musical twist and a chance to meet the author of Can You Feel the Noise, Stewart Foster.
As the festival goes on, you can enjoy an Advanced Writing Workshop with award-winning author Michel Faber; catch many music-themed author events at festival partners Hare & Hounds with White Rabbit Books; and listen to DJ Richard Norris talk about the music industry from his autobiography Strange Things are Happening.
Elsewhere, you’ll find anything from DJ sets to a Crime Writers Panel, Birmingham legends Mike Gayle and Catherine O’Flynn in conversation to local poet Bradley Taylor performing ‘poetry on demand’ using his typewriter. Plus, closing out the Saturday with a late-night club show, the legendary General Levy will also be in conversation with broadcaster Alex Carr.
You can check out the full programme for The Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival by heading here.