Insider view on People’s Big Band ComiCon performance

It’s hard to find stranger things on The People’s Big Band performance calendar than its regular collaboration with MCM Birmingham Comic Con. Yet this exciting long-standing link-up has allowed TPO’s musicians to go boldly where not many other players have gone before.

At the most recent show during the final weekend of November, a staggering 55,000 pop culture fans descended on MCM Birmingham Comic Con at the NEC, where TPO’s group of pro-amateurs The People’s Big Band entertained.

Gary Jones, TPO’s new Media and Engagement Assistant for live arts and events, was there experiencing his first concert with the charity and was left with many unforgettable memories and some bizarre sights.

We take a look at what the day involves behind the scenes at Comic Con through the eyes of TPO insider, Gary.

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Star-studded event with Doctor Who celebs and James McAvoy

Helping to transport amps and a piano to the NEC, Gary’s day started early, arriving ahead of the crowds and musicians at 10am. Soon, the halls of the NEC would be alive with fans celebrating the worlds of film, TV, games, books, comics, anime and more.

Celebrities at the 2025 Comic Con ranged from Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower to X-Men’s James McAvoy and a sensational line-up of Doctor Who icons Peter Davison, Paul McGann, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy.

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Musicians in The People’s Big Band, which blends the sounds of swing music, blues, funk and rhythm and blues, arrived around 11am ahead of the sound check. The ensemble was prepped to make their unique arrangements of pop hits have more of a film and Marvel-inspired twist for this special performance in front of sci-fi crowds.

“My day involved helping out wherever I could with preparations for the performance, including setting up of instruments,” explained Gary. “We were on the Creator Stage in Hall 2 and the Band would be performing 10 pieces in total.

“I took videos and pictures of the sound check, which started around 11.30am. The Big Band got set up and prepared and then did their hour-long concert from around midday.

“The reaction from the crowd was really good, with plenty of people stopping by to listen. There was even someone dressed as Davros from Doctor Who, but a disco version of him. It was a really surreal moment and I was thinking ‘Am I really seeing this?’”

Performing popular chart hits, along with TV and movie soundtracks, Comic Con visitors soon were keen to hear more from the band. Song Tequila went down particularly well as did the Batman theme tune with some cosplay improvisations.

“One of the Big Band Members dressed as Batman, getting up and playing a solo saxophone piece during the Batman theme tune,” added Gary. “Even better, his daughter also came dressed as his sidekick, Robin.

“I loved the Batman solo as I wasn’t expecting him to jump up from his seat to play along to the song.

“The final song Tetris ad people clapping along to the tune, and the audience really seemed to love it. I’d been to Comi Con when it was a much smaller event, and this was worlds apart from that.”

‘Passion and energy of the orchestra’

Surrounded by people in costume, the band had the unforgettable experience of performing to galactic monsters, Ghostbusters or even Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers marching past.

As a first-timer to a TPO gig, Gary hadn’t known what to expect, but it left him feeling uplifted, despite the bizarre situation.

“It was my first concert with TPO so I was a bit nervous,” admitted Gary. “But I had nothing to worry about, everyone was super friendly and really made it a day to remember.

“It was the first time I had seen the Big Band perform, and they were absolutely fantastic. I think anyone who gets a chance to see them should really go along and check them out.

“The whole day was way better than I expected. I’d watched videos of performances that had happened before I joined TPO, but seeing the various songs performed live was so much better. You get to see the passion and energy that everyone in the orchestra plays with.

“For my first show, I loved it. It was so just so much fun with so much to see – a great experience.”

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It was also a special moment for The People’s Big Band as they were performing at the same event where professionals like Manchester band Hot Milk were also attending and teasing their latest music.

MCM Birmingham Comic Con, which returns to Birmingham from August 7 to 9 in 2026, is one of many venues that The People’s Big Band performs at. The band featuring sections for brass, rhythm and woodwind rehearse together playing their own spin on classic tunes and contemporary hits.

Their roots are in jazz, modern funk and soul. Rehearsals take place at Trefoil House in Birmingham city centre on Sunday evenings, every other weekend from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Take a listen to some of their performances at the TPO website here where you also find contact details if you are interested in getting involved.