Would you believe us if we told you that big-name artists like The Smiths, The Streets and Duran Duran have used Birmingham as inspiration for some of their biggest tunes? Yeah, neither would we, but it’s true! A new, interactive map has emerged which shows all the Birmingham locations behind some of the world’s biggest hits.
Launched by National Rail, the Musical Routes – Behind the Tracks map contains hundreds of places featured in the songs, music artwork and music videos of Britain’s favourite artists – with dozens of places across the West Midlands featured.
According to the Musical Routes map, the music video for ‘Rum Runner’ by Duran Duran was filmed at the former Rum Runner nightclub, The Streets’ ‘Turn The Page’ mentions “the hazy fog over the Bullring”, while The Smiths’ ‘Panic’ is well known for the famous line, “Panic on the streets of Birmingham”.
The new map features many other locations in and around Birmingham with a connection to iconic artists such as The Pogues, The Fall, Electric Light Orchestra, Lotto Boyzz, Laura Mvula and many more. In addition, National Rail has launched a new series of audio guides, narrated by legendary broadcaster Jo Whiley, with contributions from DJ Yinka Bokinni and former All Saint Melanie Blatt.
The guides cover key geographical areas of Britain and reveal the links they have with a range of homegrown and international acts, plus how music fans can explore these locations by train. Birmingham, of course, features again – with an insightful and revealing musical guide the Midlands. Rail travellers can hear the stories that go behind the record stores, streets and railways that inspired Brummie legends,
You can find the Musical Routes map as well as more on the audio guides here.