Writer Jasmine Khan / Photographers Paul Stringer, Golden Tie
Birmingham based singer-songwriter Indigo Marshall, 25, will be stepping up to perform to hundreds of millions of people as part of the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games 2022.
The local soul and RnB star has been sparking conversation in recent months, after the release of her emotionally raw EP The Fall, which reached number one on the Amazon RnB charts back in March.
After Indigo sold out her debut show at the Hare and Hounds, featured on DJ Target’s ‘Notice Board’ on BBC 1XTRA, released an R&B ‘One Take’ with DJ Ace – as well as her interview with British rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Lady Leshurr BEM – it’s exciting but not entirely unexpected to see Indigo Marshall on the line up for such a significant event.
The Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 opening ceremony, produced by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is set to take place at Alexander Stadium at 7pm on 28 July, and will showcase a host of Brummie talent to an expected live audience of 30000 people and a further 1.5 billion across the world.
The opening cermony line up includes Duran Duran, a ‘dream sequence’ from Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and Birmingham Saxophanist Soweto Kinch, Birmingham Conservatoire graduate and mezzo-soprano Samantha Oxborough, Joshua ‘RTKal’ Holness, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and musicians from the Royal Marines.
There will also be a special performance from a choir of over 700 voices – featuring 15 choirs from across the West Midlands, led by Carol Pemberton and the award winning acapella quintet Black Voices.
With hundreds of millions expected to tune in to the globally televised event from the comfort of their homes around the world, Birmingham Review was keen to catch up with Indigo and find out more about her feelings surrounding performing as part of the games.
After a dress rehearsal on 25 July which was attended by a crowd of around 7000, Indigo told Birmingham Review: “Birmingham is a city full of creativity.
“People are fearless and shameless to express how they feel and do that beautifully through art,” she continued, explaining what has inspired her honest lyrics.
“My art is my music and Birmingham is my home and safe place, and those two things allow me to release my music to the best of my ability.”
It’s clear that Indigo is very proud of her community and being part of the Commonwealth Games 2022 gives her the chance to broaden her following on a massive scale.
“This is an amazing opportunity to be heard internationally,” Indigo added.
“Global reach has always been a dream of mine, and this is my opportunity. I hope and pray that I make enough impact for people to check out my music after my performance and feel that connection.”
Indigo is steadfast about taking her new platform seriously and reaching out to connect with people in her local and in global communities who are overlooked – a commitment she emphasised with her support of the Black Lives Matter movement via SB.TV in 2020.
“I get to sing to [potentially] 1 billion hearts,” said Indigo, commenting on the truly massive scale of the Games, “representing my city, women, black women, little girls, anyone with a dream, all the children I used to teach and most importantly myself.
“It’s exciting to share the stage with all the dancers, volunteers, the huge choir, and legendary musicians.
“I don’t want this moment to end.”
For more from the Commonwealth Games 2022 go to: www.birmingham2022.com
For more from Indigo Marshall go to: www.indigomarshall.com