2022 Commonwealth Games

[Ghost of 76]

Why is the BBC’s theme tune for the games in reggae style?

Is it homage to the pioneers of the genre, UB40?

No, because of Birmingham's large West Indian community, many of which arrived during Windrush, who's music the UB40 band members grew up listening to & were influenced by.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

No, because of Birmingham's large West Indian community, many of which arrived during Windrush, who's music the UB40 band members grew up listening to & were influenced by.

Thanks for the info, didn’t realise it was so large.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

Thanks for the info, didn’t realise it was so large.

It's a little bit area by area - so the south-east around Sparkhill is more Pakistani/Indian (the Balti Triangle!)

The stadium is right next to Handsworth which is known for a large WI community - and it's where Joan Armatrading and the poet Benjamin Zephaniah are from.
A place where there were riots in the past, at the same time as the Brixton riots for one.

 

[Cotontoquinn]

The beauty of multi sport events is being able to dip in and watch sports that you’ve never watched before. I’m no fan of triathlons, marathons or those interminable walking races but thanks to the iPlayer I’ve been able to view lawn bowls, netball, rugby sevens and the strangely fascinating world of womens weightlifting.
Amazed that girls as young as 16 are participating in this power event. Could surely do serious physical damage to still growing bodies?? Particularly knees, elbows and back.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

It's a little bit area by area - so the south-east around Sparkhill is more Pakistani/Indian (the Balti Triangle!)

The stadium is right next to Handsworth which is known for a large WI community - and it's where Joan Armatrading and the poet Benjamin Zephaniah are from.
A place where there were riots in the past, at the same time as the Brixton riots for one.

I guess It isn’t that much different to Moss Side and other areas here in Manchester. We didn’t have a reggae theme tune when we had the games.

That being said, we have a rich history of music, rather than UB40 and Jamelia…

 

[Cotontoquinn]

I guess It isn’t that much different to Moss Side and other areas here in Manchester. We didn’t have a reggae theme tune when we had the games.

That being said, we have a rich history of music, rather than UB40 and Jamelia…

The BBC used the excellent “This Is The One” by the Stone Roses as the main theme for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.
Thankfully it was chosen over that song by Bryan and Michael……

 

[MillionMilesAway]

I guess It isn’t that much different to Moss Side and other areas here in Manchester. We didn’t have a reggae theme tune when we had the games.

That being said, we have a rich history of music, rather than UB40 and Jamelia…

Jamelia? Well, I can't argue with that (partly because I didn't know she was from Birmingham, and partly because I couldn't name anything she's done - a Radio 1 host?)

I assume the organisers had some kind of contest for a tune, I do remember there was a bit of noise when it was announced, but not the details.

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Jamelia? Well, I can't argue with that (partly because I didn't know she was from Birmingham, and partly because I couldn't name anything she's done - a Radio 1 host?)

I assume the organisers had some kind of contest for a tune, I do remember there was a bit of noise when it was announced, but not the details.

I don’t dislike it, just found it a bit random.

 

[MillionMilesAway]

I don’t dislike it, just found it a bit random.

It's certainly a bit strange - I agree though, it's not awful.

 

[threespires]

I've just been to the beach volleyball at Smithfield & it was entertaining & well organised. The stewards all wear big foam hands & kept looking for "high 5s" from my great nephews, which they loved. The funny thing was hearing Brummies asking for "hoi foives".
The presenter in the stadium was a tad annoying in an over American sort of way, but overall, I was really impressed & Birmingham looked the best I've ever seen it

I think the aquatics is in Sandwell so how visitors from the home counties are coping with the accents of the Yam Yam Nation is anyone's guess :-)
The DJ at the 3x3 basketball at Smithfields yesterday was called Jack and sounded suspiciously like a certain no 10 we know !!

 

[staffsblue]

Yeah, the accents are comedy gold, but I found everyone involved really friendly & professional.
Even the armed cops outside Smithfield on Sunday were posing for photos with kids.

 

[MCFC1993]

Athletics started today, the women's 800m final is going to be top drawer, only the Americans missing, otherwise the best in the world are there.

 

[JRockBlues]

Watching the medal matches in the 3x3 basketball. Bronze medal games up first in the wheelchair. England men won their match. England women currently beating Scotland.

 

[frothy]

Who's watching the lady's pole vault come on hands up or at least one

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Who's watching the lady's pole vault come on hands up or at least one

I was watching. And when the Aussie lass was packing her buttocks back in her knickers they switched to bloody swimming!

 

[Gaz76]

Who's watching the lady's pole vault come on hands up or at least one

That Canadian tho!! Corr blimey!!

 

[WestGorton]

At last England has a national anthem worthy of respect.

 

[Gaz76]

In other news, Steve cram is surely due for the chop, he drops a bollock in pretty much every race he does, mixing the two Kenyans up when everyone could see which was which, fair play they at least tried to make it exciting when it would have been a huge shock if kiplimo had not won

 

[JRockBlues]

Neither of the men's or women's 3x3 basketball finals were a letdown. Two absolutely cracking matches and worth a look on replay if you haven't seen them.

 

[Cotontoquinn]

Who's watching the lady's pole vault come on hands up or at least one

It was more like a Miss World contest…..