Music

Our music scene is thriving;

The city and the region offers such an eclectic and full programme because of its range of venues, local talent and passionate audiences.

Whether it’s a huge arena tour or an intimate gig, you’ll find it here.

Venues

To attract the world’s great artists, you need the right mix of venues.  We’ve got them all.

Symphony Hall is widely regarded as the finest concert hall in Europe and the nearby Town Hall provides a majestic location. Over at the National Indoor Arena (NIA) and sister venue the LG Arena, just ten minutes out of the city centre, a constant stream of world famous rock and pop acts take to the stage night after night.  The Bramall Music Building is a brand new purpose build music venue on the University of Birmingham Campus and at the Birmingham Hippodrome, the Welsh National Opera, countless West End Musicals and the world famous Birmingham Royal Ballet offer real choice. Together with many smaller venues that range from the O2 Academy to the Jam House to theatres staging all sorts of concerts or gigs, all kinds of music have a home in Birmingham.

Pop and rock

Alongside the recording artists, packing thousands into our arenas, places like Scruffy Murphy's, Hare and Hounds, the Custard Factory, MAC (Midlands Arts Centre), Island Bar, Jam House and Eddie’s Rock Club are showcasing an exciting new generation of musicians.

Classical

With its world class acoustics and stunning 2,262 seat auditorium, Symphony Hall hosts some of the great names in classical music. It is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and offers a varied classical programme welcoming many of the finest orchestras and virtuosos performing today.

Along with sister venue, the historic Town Hall, Birmingham has two outstanding venues where the classics can be truly enjoyed.  

Opera

Home grown Birmingham Opera Company is not what you expect from opera. Creating and staging opera in unpredictable and unusual places close to the streets of the city, they are committed to sharing great art with great people.

Welsh National Opera performs its repertoire at The Birmingham Hippodrome theatre.  As the Company's Midlands base, the theatre welcomes them three times a year in the spring, summer and autumn. WNO are Europe's busiest touring opera company and the largest provider of touring opera in the UK.

Jazz, folk and blues

Many local venues and clubs support busy jazz and folk scenes. From the world class Symphony Hall to a range of local clubs, you can enjoy the many touring greats who bring their unique sounds to Birmingham. What’s more, Birmingham hosts both jazz and folk festivals in the summer months.

For Rhythm and Blues fans there’s always a treat in store at The Jam House in the Jewellery Quarter. The musical director is non-other than Jools Holland and the joint is always jumping.

The Yardbird Jazz Club is a must for jazz and funk fans. This bar and live music venue has made a name for itself in the city by hosting the best of local, national and international jazz, funk, soul and acoustic/folk artists around.

Bhangra

You simply can’t visit Birmingham without enjoying Bhangra. Beginning as an energetic form of lively folk music and dance performed at harvests in the Punjab, Bhangra now integrates folk songs and musical instruments with Western music. It is an important part of mainstream music and the UK’s arts industry and Birmingham is without doubt the hub of the UK Bhangra and home to some of the most influential bands and promoters of the music. Check out this brilliant video of a Bhangra flash mob in the city last year.