Black Sabbath’s legacy is forged deep into Birmingham’s modern history, and now, the University of Birmingham is bringing that story to life in a one-night-only event that promises to be as bold, thought-provoking, and unmistakably Brummie as the band itself.

On Tuesday 14 October, the university’s Bramall Concert Hall will play host to Forging Metal: Black Sabbath and Birmingham, a free evening celebrating the world’s biggest heavy metal band and the city that shaped them.

In a remarkable meeting of creative visionaries, Black Sabbath’s legendary guitarist Tony Iommi joins Carlos Acosta CBE, Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, to explore how the raw power of heavy metal and the refined artistry of ballet can intertwine in striking and unexpected harmony.

Tony Iommi; The Riff Master General, The Iron Man, The Godfather of Heavy Metal, needs little introduction. For over five decades, his signature sound has defined the genre and inspired legions of musicians worldwide.

Now, he’ll sit down with Carlos Acosta, one of the most celebrated dancers and choreographers of his generation, for an intimate in conversation about how Sabbath’s thunderous spirit inspired Acosta’s ground-breaking production, Black Sabbath – The Ballet.

Since becoming Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet five years ago, Acosta has worked tirelessly to amplify the city’s creative pulse. His reinterpretation of Sabbath’s music through dance was both a love letter to Birmingham and a daring fusion of two seemingly opposing worlds; the grit of metal and the grace of ballet.

Forging Metal highlights the cultural forces that shape the music industry, particularly acknowledging how Black Sabbath’s influence continues to ripple through generations, genres, and disciplines.

Three University of Birmingham academics will bring their unique perspectives to the stage, revealing new dimensions of the band’s impact:

• Dr David Gange, Associate Professor in History, will explore how Black Sabbath inspired a strand of environmental consciousness within the metal community.
• Dr Finola Kerrigan, Professor of Marketing, will unpack how arts and culture have defined Birmingham’s global identity.
• Dr Kamran Khan, Associate Professor in Language, Social Justice and Education, will examine how accent, identity, and sound intertwine with ideas of class, culture, and belonging in Birmingham.

“As heavy rock pioneers and ambassadors of Birmingham, the city is extremely proud of Black Sabbath,” said Professor Paul Jackson, who will host the event.

Forging Metal is the flagship event of the University of Birmingham’s ESRC Festival of Social Science 2025, a nationwide celebration of research and ideas that shape our world.

From the smoky pubs of Aston to the grand stage of the Bramall Concert Hall, the story of Black Sabbath is one of reinvention, resilience, and rebellion, and this event promises to honour that spirit in full force.

Book your free tickets to the event here.