HOME OF METAL: 40 years of Heavy Metal and it’s unique birthplace

Home of Metal celebrated the bands that put Birmingham and the Black Country on the musical map. Over four years, Home of Metal scoured the UK and beyond for relics, artefacts, memorabilia and interesting stories – meeting the likes of Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi as well as the most passionate fans. Together this would form the basis of a major exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.

The exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery was an account of how bands from the region travelled from local beginnings to achieve global impact. It also explored the ingredients that have together created the phenomenon that is Heavy Metal. The sound of Heavy Metal has always been a part of our landscape; it is now an evolving part of our musical and cultural heritage.

Four decades since Heavy Metal was unleashed onto an unsuspecting world, it finally coame home to Birmingham and the Black Country in celebration of a truly global music phenomemon.

Alongside world renowned design team Studio Myerscough, Capsule transformed the Gas Hall of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to create a multi-faceted exhibition.

After devising the narrative, sourcing the collection and making invaluable connections with dedicated fans through to corporate sponsors, Capsule curated and produced Home of Metal – 40 years of Heavy Metal and its unique birthplace.

As well as featuring key pieces from music history, the exhibition explored the social history of the region, from its metal bashing industries to the post war home life of working class families, beginning the story of Heavy Metal.

35% of visitors described Home of Metal as their first arts/cultural event

Home of Metal proudly celebrated the heritage of the region; important to this was spreading the message to many audiences. The project was hugely successful in reaching both an international and regional audience.

Heavy Metal fans traveled far and wide to witness the major exhibition at BMAG, spanning 40 years of the genre. Cultural tourists visited a number of regional galleries to see some dynamic visual art shows and local families celebrated their region’s social history and its cultural achievements.

92% of all respondents felt that their overall experience of the exhibition was either Very Good or Good.

Supported by Arts Council England, Birmingham City Council, Gibson, Laney, Screen West Midlands, Esmee Fairbairn, MACE, Stratstone, Sennheiser.

Media Partners: Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, Sky Arts, Kerrang!