April-June: Out Loud
This Spring, explore all things sound at The Hive with our new cultural events theme Out Loud. Delve into the worlds of music, sound, communication, spoken word, oral history, voices and expression, with events and experiences that you might not usually expect to see at your local library.
The Hive is a great place for reading and study, but it’s also a cultural hub with so much more going on which deserves to be shouted about. With guest talks, performances, wellbeing experiences, exhibitions, lecture presentations from the University of Worcester and so much more on offer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy...
Spotlight event:
Talk: Radio and Grassroots Music with Harry Bozman and Pete Donnelly
Wednesday 1 May, 7pm-8pm
Radio remains a crucial tool for musicians in their journey to grow and gain traction, despite some people claiming that it’s a dying medium. The rise of platforms like BBC Introducing, and the increasing accessibility of independent radio, means that radio remains influential for grassroots musicians. Join Harry Bozman and Pete Donnelly as they dive into radio’s role in supporting and developing up-and-coming artists in 2024, speaking from their experience in radio, the music industry, and beyond.
About Harry Bozman
Producer for several BBC Radio stations including Radio 1 and 1Xtra, Introducing and Asian Network, Harry Bozman is deep into the music scene in Birmingham and entertainment radio across the UK. Since graduating from Birmingham City University with a BA in Media and Communications, he has worked his way up to present and produce both local and national radio. Harry’s radio highlight is reporting from BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend where he interviewed legendary Manchester-based rapper Aitch.
About Pete Donnelly
Championing music in Birmingham and beyond, Pete has established himself firmly in the music scene in any angle possible through both radio and performance. Multi-instrumentalist and host of Brum Radio’s local grassroots show ‘Not So Rock Show’, he prides himself on being at the heart of West Midlands music. Pete knows a thing or two about music, having graduated from Leeds Conservatoire with a BA in Music Production and Birmingham City University with an MA in Media Production.
Tickets are free but spaces are limited - book your place here.
Spotlight event:
An Evening with Andrew Scheps
Saturday 15 June, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Join three-time Grammy award winning mix engineer, recording engineer, record producer and record label owner Andrew Scheps to hear about his extraordinary life in music. Described by Abbey Road Studios as someone “whose credits read like a who’s who of popular music”, Andrew has worked with Low Roar, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adele, Beyonce, Black Sabbath, Ziggy Marley, Hozier, The 1975, and so many more iconic artists. Hear Andrew speak about how he forged his way in the music industry, see a live demo of how he works and take part in a Q&A which will shine a spotlight on an extensive career and wealth of experience.
Tickets are free but spaces are limited and booking is essential - book your place here.
Tour: Behind the Scenes of Worcestershire Archives
Saturday 4 May, 11am-11:45am and 1:30pm-2:15pm
Join Archivists behind the scenes for a tour of what is unique, special, and treasured about Worcestershire Archives and their wonderful collections. Highlights include a letter sent from the Titanic, Shakespeare’s marriage bond, documents from the reign of King Charles I, and the Worcestershire photographic survey.
£5 per ticket.
Book your place for 11am here.
Book your place for 1:30pm here.
Talk: Eurovision Euphoria: What Does Eurovision Mean to You? with Lou Aimes Hill and Tom Mandall
Tuesday 7 May, 6pm-7pm
What better way to explore Out Loud expression as we roll into Eurovision Week 2024 than to join us for a celebratory explanation of all things Eurovision Song Contest? Lou and Tom will be asking what your favourite entries are and revealing their own personal top ten, whilst taking a deep dive into the history, queerness and of course the songs behind the world's largest live music event.
Tickets are free but booking is essential - book your place here.
Talk and Film Screening: Censorship and the Devil: The Case of Brimstone and Treacle
Wednesday 8 May, 7pm-9pm
Media censorship has always been controversial, and provokes lively discussion today. In 1976 the BBC cancelled a TV drama about the Devil by celebrated playwright Dennis Potter. Over forty years later, Potter's play remains deeply shocking - and also a remarkable work of art. You are invited to a rare screening of the original TV play, introduced by Professor Darren Oldridge and followed by a discussion of some of the many issues it raises. This screening contains scenes of sexual violence that some people may find distressing or offensive, and this event is unsuitable for children.
£2.50 per ticket, booking is essential. Book your place here.
Weeping Bank Library Tales presents POCK
Thursday 9 May, 7pm-9:15pm
“We all know the legend, if you carved your name in the sandstone of the cave and left a gift, Pock would grant you a wish.”
“And what was the catch?”
“Catch?”
“There’s always a catch in a fairytale.”
After a sellout first performance in January, The Librarian of Weeping Bank returns to The Hive to present POCK – an immersive talk after dark that will draw you into the shadowy world of witchcraft, possession, and the occult.
Please note, Weeping Bank readings contain moments of heightened tension. The reading is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15 or those of a nervous disposition.
£3.50 per ticket, booking is essential - book your tickets here.
Talk: Is This Music to my Ears? Exploring the links between music and the brain with Dr Mathieu Di Miceli
Thursday 16 May, 7pm-8:30pm
In this interactive session, we will explore the physical properties of music and how our brain processes sound, which can influence emotional behaviour. In addition, the links between music and neuroscience will be deciphered to ascertain whether sound therapy could be used to treat stress, anxiety, pain, or memory impairments.
Tickets are free but booking is essential - book your place here.
Talk: Cowboy Carter and the 'Funny Little Concept' of Genre with Lou Aimes Hill and Issy Gawne
Monday 20 May, 7pm-8pm
Cowboy Carter, the highly anticipated second instalment in Beyonce's 'triiilogy', furthers her musical odyssey with an exploration of the country music genre. A self-described 'Beyonce album', not a 'country album', it secured the top spot on the Billboard Country Charts making her the first Black woman to ever have a number one country album. Join us as we take a rodeo through the album and its encapsulated histories; sonic interpolations, women in country, and the 'funny little concept' of genre.
Tickets are free but booking is essential - book your place here.
Discussion Group: Talking Taboos
Join academics from the Department of English, Media & Culture at the University of Worcester to discuss taboo, risky and potentially controversial topics. Learn why they're considered 'taboo' or 'risky' in the first place, then discuss and share opinions in a safe and inclusive space.
Week 1: Fat Activism with Robyn Platt
Wednesday 5 June, 12pm-2pm
Week 2: Sex, Consent and Cultures of Silence with Holly Barnes-Bennetts
Wednesday 12 June, 4pm-6pm
Week 3: Cancel Culture with Katy Wareham Morris
Wednesday 19 June, 12pm-2pm
Find out more about each session and book your free places here.
Talk: How to Write a Song About a Place with Dr Paul Newland
Thursday 6 June, 7pm-8:30pm
University of Worcester academic Paul Newland publishes research about film, place, landscape, architecture and sound. He is also a critically-acclaimed songwriter and musician. In this talk he will explore his songwriting, by specifically focusing on how he tries to evoke places. Paul will talk about a range of famous songs about places, and will consider what makes them so evocative. He will also draw on the work of a range of songs and songwriters.
Tickets are free but booking is essential - book your place here.
Talk: Feminist Oral Herstories with Katy Wareham Morris
Monday 10 June, 7pm-8pm
This talk will begin with a contextual overview of consciousness raising oral practices in feminism. In the 1960s and 70s, this involved groups of women tlaking about their experiences of womanhood in cafes or living rooms without the presence of men. This often raised the awareness of women, specifically in relation to their experiences of forms and types of oppression. Later, these practices also involved public speaking and poetry,
Katy will go on to discuss her own practice-based research, that is her poetry which represents and provokes a 'discussion' about the contemporary conditions of womanhood. She will perform and discuss her poetry, practice and experiences.
Tickets are free but booking is essential - book your place here.