Birmingham has long been overshadowed by London and Manchester in conversations about British music cities, but that is changing rapidly. The Second City has a rich musical heritage -- it gave us Black Sabbath, Duran Duran, UB40, and more recently, the likes of Jorja Smith and Lady Leshurr. Today its venue scene is as diverse and exciting as any in the UK.
The Digbeth quarter
Digbeth, the industrial area just south of the Bullring, has become Birmingham's creative hub. Its warehouses and railway arches house some of the city's most exciting music spaces.
The Mill
The Mill on Lower Trinity Street is a multi-room venue in a converted factory that hosts everything from punk and metal to electronic nights and hip-hop. The raw, industrial setting gives it a distinctly underground feel. The main room has a powerful sound system, and the smaller rooms are ideal for discovering new acts.
Mama Roux's
Mama Roux's combines a Southern-inspired kitchen with live music programming. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, with blues, soul, jazz, and funk acts taking the stage most evenings. It is a great spot for a meal and a gig in one outing.
The Crossing
The Crossing at The Custard Factory is a mid-size venue that regularly books exciting touring indie and alternative acts. The Custard Factory complex itself is worth exploring, with independent shops, galleries, and street food stalls surrounding the venue.
City centre venues
O2 Institute
The O2 Institute on Digbeth High Street (technically at the edge of the city centre) is Birmingham's most important mid-size venue. It has three rooms of varying sizes, which means it can host everything from up-and-coming bands to established acts who prefer a more intimate setting than an arena. The main hall has excellent sightlines and a balcony that offers a good view if you prefer not to be in the thick of the standing crowd.
The Jam House
The Jam House on St Paul's Square in the Jewellery Quarter was co-founded by Jools Holland. It focuses on jazz, blues, soul, and swing, with live music most evenings. The setting is elegant -- think cocktail bar meets jazz club -- and it is a lovely spot for a more refined night out.
Symphony Hall
Symphony Hall is one of the finest concert halls in Europe, with acoustics that are regularly praised by visiting orchestras and soloists. While its primary focus is classical music, it also hosts jazz, folk, world music, and spoken word events. If you appreciate pristine sound in beautiful surroundings, this is the venue for you.
Large venues
Utilita Arena Birmingham
For the biggest touring acts, the Utilita Arena (formerly the NIA, then the Resorts World Arena -- Birmingham loves renaming its arenas) handles major pop, rock, and hip-hop tours. It is centrally located and well served by New Street and Moor Street stations.
Birmingham NEC
The NEC complex on the outskirts of the city hosts large-scale events and festivals. It is best reached by train to Birmingham International station. While it lacks the intimate charm of the city centre venues, it handles the very largest tours and events that need more space than an arena provides.
Getting there
Birmingham New Street station is the main rail hub, with connections from across the country. Most city centre and Digbeth venues are within a fifteen-minute walk. The Midland Metro tram connects New Street to the Jewellery Quarter for venues like The Jam House. Bus services are extensive, and the number 50 route runs through Digbeth.
Where to eat and drink
Digbeth is home to the excellent Digbeth Dining Club street food market (check dates as it runs on specific evenings). In the city centre, the Indian restaurants along the Balti Triangle in Sparkbrook are legendary. For pre-gig pints, The Old Crown in Digbeth claims to be Birmingham's oldest pub, dating back to 1368, while The Woodsman in nearby Bearwood has become a favourite with the music crowd.
Booking your next gig
Birmingham's venue scene rewards exploration. There is always something on, from free jazz at a Jewellery Quarter bar to a sold-out show at the Institute. Browse upcoming events on Tickts to find gigs across Birmingham's venues without paying booking fees, and discover why the Second City's music scene deserves far more recognition than it gets.
