My First Birmingham Concert
We’re collecting memories of people’s very first Birmingham concert. Tell us when it was, where it was, who you went with, what you thought of the show, and even how much your ticket cost. Do you still have the ticket or any photos? You can share your story as text or even record it as an audio file and email it to: thebirminghammusicmuseum@gmail.com
Chris at Aston Villa Leisure Centre
Hi there, my name is Chris and my very first concert was at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre on the 19th May 1997, and this was to see Korn, Helmet and Limp Bizkit. I was 17 years old, and I went with a friend of mine and his dad. My friend was a bandmate. I had never heard of Limp Bizkit before, and I can remember thinking ‘who are these?’ They looked like a bunch of weirdos and as if they were from different bands.
There weren’t many people at this gig, and it didn’t feel full at all. I would say the average age of the people attending was about 20 years of age, but there was a mosh pit.
The artists lived up to my expectations, they were good. Korn didn’t talk to the crowd at all. They just played their songs and walked off. Limp Bizkit played like they were playing a stadium of 10,000 of their own fans! But they were unheard of at the time of this show as their first album didn’t come out until July 1997.
The first song I remember that Korn played was ‘Blind.’ I wouldn’t say this convert influenced my taste in music but watching Limp Bizkit perform influenced my performance style with my band as I was a bass player in a band myself, since I was 12. I saw Korn and Limp Bizkit live at festivals – only at festivals and I didn’t go to especially see them. This became one of many gigs I attended, I wouldn’t say it was of special significance.
I was wearing a Pantera T-shirt. I think I still have the ticket in a scrapbook in the loft. Korn had an Adidas sponsorship deal, and I had a pair of the popper joggers. I can’t remember how much the ticket cost.
I would recommend these artists to someone younger.
Leanne at Aston Villa Leisure Centre
I am Leanne and my first concert in Birmingham was to see The Fun-Lovin’ Criminals at the Aston Villa Leisure Centre on 14thOctober 1998. I was 18 years old, and I went to this gig with my new boyfriend who I had met at the Reading festival earlier that year. This new boyfriend is now my husband!
The main thing I remember about this concert is that it felt like a school hall! More a school hall than a concert venue! It was a quiet crowd, quite tame compared to most gigs. I would say The Fun-Lovin’ Criminals lived up to my expectations. Before this concert and afterwards I listened to their current album a lot. However, I haven’t seen them since. Did it influence my taste in music? I like big band music, and I am not sure if it came from the cover Fun Lovin’ Criminals did of ‘We have all the time in the World.’ I didn’t buy any merchandise from this concert but the ticket cost £10.50
Gary at Birmingham
Hello, my name is Gary and my very first concert was seeing Neil Young in Birmingham. I went to this concert with my brother, sister-in-law, and my sister. I was 13 years old, and we all had a very good night. Everyone was singing along – including us. Neil Young played guitar and harmonica, and he really lived up to my expectations as I was a really big fan. He started off with Blowin’ in the Wind and this concert began my love of music and really got me into rock’n’roll and also jazz.
Kath at NEC Birmingham
Hi, I’m Kath. My very first concert in Birmingham was Bon Jovi at the NEC on their New Jersey tour, back in December 1988. I was 35 at the time, and went along with three friends, and honestly—we had a very good time. They opened with Lay Your Hands on Me and that was a very good opener. The whole place just came alive. I remember being surprised at just how loud it was—way louder than I’d imagined—but that only made it more thrilling. That night hooked me. I knew I wanted to see them again, and I did—back at the NEC and later at the Milton Keynes Bowl. And it got me chasing more gigs too—I went to see Europe, Aerosmith… all sorts. I wouldn’t say it changed my taste in music though; I’ve always been a rock fan at heart. I don’t still have the ticket, and I didn’t buy any merch, which I regret now. A leather jacket and a lacey dress was my gig outfit that night, and if only I’d kept the stub—or grabbed a t-shirt—it would’ve been such a nice bit of memorabilia to look back on. As for Bon Jovi, I still listen to them often and would definitely recommend them to younger fans. It’s so important to experience different bands, and they put on one heck of a show.
Oral Histories
Antony's First Concert
Joanne's First Concert
Bromley's First Concert
Gary's First Concert
Tom's First Concert
Graham's First Concert
Paul's First Concert
Steve's First Concert