Gasoline & Matches became the first artists to perform live music to a live audience of invited guests in the new state-of-the-art performance space at Symphony Hall on Tue 18 May 2021.
Speaking moments before their set, the multi award-winning duo said: "We're very humbled, honoured and privileged to be here at the Symphony Hall today."
Music is at the heart of the redeveloped public spaces in Birmingham's internationally renowned concert hall. The new performance facilities, delivered with funds raised prior to the global pandemic, will offer local artists even more opportunities to make music as part of an exciting programme of free and affordable events and activities.
Nick Reed, Chief Executive for the music charity responsible for Town Hall and Symphony Hall said:
“Music will play a powerful role in reuniting communities after the isolation and hardship of the past year. We hope that Symphony Hall will be a beacon for that reconnection. We are immensely grateful to all the funding partners who have supported the project, and the thousands of individual donors who have put their faith in the power of music.”
For the first time, Birmingham’s world-renowned concert hall now boasts a dedicated entrance from Centenary Square – which is itself undergoing major redevelopment to provide a high-quality public realm within the second city.
With their debut single ‘Fool’s Gold’ topping the UK iTunes Country Chart, a headlining performance at The Hard Rock Café London and a five date Californian tour in the bag, Birmingham-based duo Gasoline & Matches were quick to prove why they were named as Lyrics Magazine’s ‘Artists to Watch’ in 2018. Sally Rea Morris and Steve Marks deliver a unique blend of Fleetwood Mac-esque harmonies, Brad Paisley-infused guitar solos and energetic live performances.
The music charity responsible for Town Hall and Symphony Hall continued to bring music to the people of Birmingham and beyond through the last year. Digital broadcasts filmed at the iconic venues now amass over half a million views since they began in April, with a diverse range of artists having performed to online audiences, including Lady Sanity, Soweto Kinch, Tom Aspaul, Xhosa Cole, Lauren Zhang, Braimah Kanneh-Mason and Gasoline & Matches.
