BGT live finalist Ace Clvrk surprise Birmingham New Street Station gig

Emerging singer-songwriter Ace Clvrk made the semi-final of the TV talent show in 2024 and will be gracing the ears of travellers at Birmingham New Street Station this evening (February 4) to help them discover new music.

The impromptu concert is part of a nationwide series of performances organised by National Rail to encourage commuters to shake up their playlists and walk to the platform to a different beat.

The performances come after the Rail Delivery Group polled the nation’s commuters and discovered the top tracks that accompany our journeys into work, with the 1982 rock anthem Eye of the Tiger by Survivor topping the list for commuters in Birmingham with 36 per cent of the city’s train users travelling to the song.

Other hits that make the ‘Top 20 Birmingham Commuters Charts’ include Work by Rhianna ft Drake, Happy by Pharrell Williams, 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton, I Want to Break Free by Queen, Manic Monday by The Bangles, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor and Lose Yourself by Eminem, according to National Rail.

Singer Ace Clvrk made it as far as the semi-finals of season 17 of BGT (Image: National Rail) The research found that the average Birmingham commuter listens to a whopping 360.5 hours of music in a year – the equivalent of travelling from Birmingham New Street Station to London Euston almost 197 times.

The research also revealed that almost three-quarters of commuters in Birmingham admit they listen to the same music on repeat, with 27 per cent confessing they never listen to new artists on their commute. 

Speaking about the research, Jacqueline Starr, CEO of Rail Delivery Group, said: “Our research shows that music is a favourite way for many of our customers to pass the time on their journey, whether it's to energise them on the way to work or help them relax on the way home.

“To celebrate 2025 marking 200 years since the birth of the modern railway we’re making it easier for commuters to discover new music for their commuter playlists, and the health and wellbeing benefits that comes with listening to a variety of music on your train commute.”

The surprise gig tonight featuring the sensational vocals of Ace Clvrk is one of many National Rail is organising across the country to improve people’s everyday commutes.