Birmingham has a lot going on this weekend, but the Black Sabbath gig has attracted a lot of interest.

And journalist Kirsty Bosley has a lot of tips as to where Sabbath fans can go when not at Villa Park.

She urges visitors to not to forget "amazing little venues" across the city that have supported the heavy metal scene and will be putting on events.

"Spend a bit of time there, spend a bit of money there and get a real feel for the very thing that connects us, which is in this case heavy metal," she added.

Image source, Kirsty Bosley

Other places of interest include Ozzy the bull, the Black Sabbath Bridge and the Crown pub, where the band played some of their first gigs.

Click here to find where Brum's Black Sabbath shrines and venues are.

Image source, Stacey Barnfield

Jez Collins is the founder of the Birmingham Music Archive, an organisation that preserves and celebrates the city's rich music history.

He's been out and about in Birmingham says: "Everyone is excited, the city feels vibrant, we need more events like these".

“The queues for the Ozzy exhibition are massive, there will be 15,000 ELO fans, you've got the cricket at Edgbaston.

"I wish I could go and see Sabbath and ELO because I love them both, but I'm going to Sabbath."

Saturday's Sabbath gig is extra special for Coz Smith.

“I was diagnosed with cancer last year and didn't think I would be here now," she said.

Image source, Coz Smith

The 63-year-old from Willenhall said she had been a heavy metal fan for almost 50 years.

“I won't be moshing on Saturday as I've got a bad knee but I'm so excited.

“The heavy metal community is always where I've wanted to be.”

Image source, Coz Smith

While thousands make their way to Birmingham let's not forget there's another festival just down the road.

The Godiva Festival opens in Coventry later with Ocean Colour Scene, Mark Almond and Clean Bandit the headliners.

Prices for a standard day ticket for this year's event start from £15 - with weekend tickets from £49.50.

Image source, Dave Archer

The three-day annual music event will take place at the city's War Memorial Park from Friday until Sunday.

The "flagship" event continues to be a "catalyst for cultural and economic activity" with the economic impact felt "beyond the festival gates," said Paul McMahon, of Visit Coventry.

Charlotte Benton
BBC News

Birmingham has seen thousands of cricket fans, some of them in strange attire, in the city.

The third day of the second test match between England and India is under way.

Akash Deep, who already has two wickets to his name, bowled the first over of the day.

But Root and Stokes are already out....

England need to reach 388 to rule out the follow on.

Image source, Reuters

Queues for an exhibition celebrating the career of Ozzy Osbourne are expected to be massive as visitors flock to the city, said Jez Collins, founder of Birmingham Music Archive.

Sharon Osbourne opened the Working Class Hero exhibition at Birmingham's Museum and Art Gallery last week.

The city centre was going to be "buzzing" with visitors, he said.

"Everyone's excited, it's vibrant, we need more of these events," he added.

Image source, Reuters

The Colmore Food Festival opens in Birmingham's Victoria Square later this morning, with dozens of food and drinks traders preparing stalls for visitors.

Restaurants from all over the West Midlands will be offering their wares at cut down prices and hundreds of people are expected to attend.

Image source, Richard James

Taking place from 11:00 until 20:00 BST on Friday and Saturday, the festival is free to attend and features live entertainment, music and kitchen demonstrations.

Organisers Colmore BID said families and children could also enjoy magician performances and face painting alongside other activities.

Image source, Pictured by Lamar

While Black Sabbath are claiming the headlines ahead of their final show, another great Birmingham musician, Jeff Lynne, is also preparing to make his farewell appearance in the city.

Image source, Reuters

Ann Gumery, from Solihull, who is going to watch the band with her husband, said the attention on ELO and Black Sabbath was good for the city's profile.

She is a big fan of ELO's music and said: "When I saw it was their last tour, you've got to go haven't you."

Ms Gumery also said there may be a few tears and with Black Sabbath playing too, "it's going to be crazy".

As many as 300,000 music, sport and food fans are expected in the region over the weekend.

Joel Abkin has travelled from Hamilton in Ontario, Canada to watch “the godfathers of metal” play on Saturday and says he can’t believe he is here.

“I’m still pinching myself that I’m in Birmingham, the people have been wonderful and I’m having the time of my life”.

"I will be at Villa Park tomorrow night.. Sabbath are the godfathers of metal"

Charlotte Benton
BBC News

Hello and welcome to our coverage of a bumper weekend of music, sport and festivities in Birmingham.

There is so much happening in the city this weekend - metal fans are arriving for Black Sabbath's gig on Saturday, Jeff Lynne's ELO plays his final gig in the city on the same night - and Billy Ocean is down the road at the NEC.

The Colmore Food Festival will keep everyone fed and watered - and don't forget, England are taking on India at Edgbaston. (Fans may need to visit the food festival to keep their spirits up).

Our reporters are out and about in the city, talking to visitors and enjoying the buzz.