How to listen back to Cities of Sound: Birmingham
The special show aired on 31st July
Last updated 1st Aug 2022
The 2022 Commonwealth Games is being held in Birmingham, as the sporting event returns to the UK for the first time since the 2014 event in Glasgow. The opening ceremony took place on Thursday 28th July and saw performances from Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, with Duran Duran headlining the prestigious show.
To celebrate this year's Commonwealth Games, we put together a special programme called Cities of Sound: Birmingham, where we told the story of some of the legendary artists to come out of the city.
We invited listeners to join us as we spoke about the iconic venues that shaped these artists' careers and explored the influence that Birmingham had on their greatest hits. The show was hosted by Brummie actress Lauren Crace, who Eastenders fans will recognise from her time on the soap as Danielle Jones.
As well as hearing about these legendary artists, we also played their greatest hits, with music from Duran Duran, UB40, ELO, Dexys Midnight Runners, and Joan Armatrading, to name a few.
Ahead of the Commonwealth Games starting, UB40 released their new track 'Champions' which is also the official anthem of the 2022 event. They created the track with Dapz on the Map, and said of the song: "We are proud to be representing the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with the official anthem ‘Champion’.
"The song is about celebrating the cultural diversity of Birmingham. Birmingham is a city of champions!"
The music video was released on 26th July and shows clips of UB40 performing mixed with performance and training footage of athletes across a number of sports including swimming, athletics and boxing.
Watch 'Champion' by UB40:
When can I listen to Cities of Sound: Birmingham?
The special programme aired Sunday 31st July and you can listen back to the show for another 30 days from the time of the show airing.
How can I listen to Cities of Sound: Birmingham?
You can listen to Cities of Sound: Birmingham using the link below until 31st August 2022.
How can I listen to Greatest Hits Radio?
You can find Greatest Hits Radio on your good old traditional radio - we're on FM & DAB in lots of places.
You can listen here on our website, download our free app for iPhone or Android, on Freeview channel 716 or ask your Smart Speaker to 'play Greatest Hits Radio'.
How can I download the Greatest Hits Radio app?
Download the Greatest Hits Radio App on Android.
Download the Greatest Hits Radio App on iOS.
When are the 2022 Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies?
The opening ceremony for the 2022 Commonwealth Games took place on Thursday 28th July and aired on BBC One. The closing ceremony will take place on Monday 8th August.
Who is performing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony?
As well as music legends, Duran Duran, the opening ceremony saw performances from City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, as well as Birmingham singers Indigo Marshall and Gambimi.
Take a look through these memorable Commonwealth Games moments:
Roger Bannister and John Landy, the first two men to crack the four-minute-mile, raced against each other the 1954 Vancouver Commonwealth Games, with Roger Bannister coming out victorious.
Precious McKenzie winning weightlifting gold again at Christchurch 1974, attracted the attention of The Queen and caused her to be late for an official engagement.
Nicola Adams won the first gold medal for women's boxing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014.
Jim Peters tragically collapses just before the finish line of his marathon in 1954. He reportedly crawled for 11 minutes before being put onto a stretcher.
Chantal Petitclerc, one of the most high-profile pioneers for para-sports, won gold in the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Allan Wells and Mike McFarlane in the Brisbane 1982 Commonwealth Games 200m both won a gold medal. This is the only gold draw in Commonwealth history.
Usain Bolt helped Jamaica win gold in the Men's 4x100m relay during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Filbert Bayi set the world record in the 1,500m at the Christchurch 1974 Commonwealth Games.
Now read:
UB40 release official 2022 Commonwealth Games anthem as part of 45th-anniversary celebrations
Duran Duran announced as headline act for 2022 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony