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Ozzy and his star

With a rich musical heritage ranging from Dexy’s Midnight Runners and Duran Duran to Black Sabbath and Led Zepellin – Birmingham has won the nomination for the West Midlands.

Winson Green raised R&B star Jamelia is spearheading the campaign for Birmingham to win the public’s vote, up against other big names including, London endorsed by Suggs, Newcastle supporter Sting, and Leicester legend Engelbert Humperdinck.

Soweto Kinch

Jamelia backs Birmingham

"So, why vote for Birmingham?" asks Jamelia "In Black Sabbath and Led Zep we have given birth to two of the unlikeliest biggest bands ever, Duran Duran led the 80’s 'Second American Invasion' and our artists are as diverse as our people. But, Birmingham remains 'uncool', so stand out from the crowd and vote for the underdog."

Birmingham faces some stiff competition as the other cities competing to win are: Brighton; Bristol; Colchester; Leicester; Liverpool; London; Manchester; Newcastle; and Sheffield.

Robert Plant in his Zeppelin pomp

Reggae, bhangra, urban, metal

Kevin Da Costa, Assistant Music Officer, "Birmingham is an amazingly rich city for music. You can find all genres, many of which have really benefited and developed because of the city's unique and fantastically diverse mix of cultures and communities.

"From Reggae, Urban music and Gospel to Bhangra, Jazz and Classical Birmingham has proved an influential producer of international talent from the days of Steel Pulse to current world class artists such as Soweto Kinch.

"Add to the mix, international venues such as Symphony Hall and the beautifully restored Town Hall, as well as dynamic small venues that are the breeding ground for the next generation, such as the Yardbird and Barfly and you've got a fresh and vibrant musical city that consistently offers artists fertile ground to grow and audiences huge variety and quality of experience."

Duran Duran pic: Richard Haughton

Strong contenders for the title of Most Musical City are Manchester, Liverpool and London, but with the winner to be decided by public vote, the competition is wide open.

How to vote

You can register your vote for the Most Musical City at: http://www.mostmusicalcity.co.uk/