Music
Birmingham is alive with the sound of music. All kinds of music. From the world famous City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to new bands like the Editors. The widest range of venues attracts the cream of musical talent. So there’s always real choice, whatever is kind of music is music to your ears.
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 Grade 1 listed Town Hall provides a majestic location after its £35m renovation. Over at the NIA and NEC Arena, an endless stream of world famous rock and pop acts come night after night. Then at the 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 Carling 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
The area has real pedigree. It’s been the heartbeat of many music scenes ranging from heavy metal (Ozzie Osborne, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and John Bonham) to Two-Tone (UB40, The Beat and The Specials). With acts like the Editors and The Streets, Birmingham is rocking once again. Places like Scruffy Murphy's, the Custard Factory, MAC (Midlands Arts Centre), the Drum Arts Centre, the Jam House, Barfly and the Hibernian are allowing a new vibrant generation to surface. And at larger venues like the National Exhibition Centre Arena, the National Indoor Arena and the Carling Academy Birmingham, the biggest and best names just keep coming. From Kylie or Justin to U2 or Westlife, anyone who’s anyone comes to Brum.
Classical
With its world class acoustics and stunning 2,262 seat auditorium, Symphony Hall hosts some of the great artists in classical music. It’s home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. But it also offers a varied classical programme welcoming many of the finest orchestras and virtuosos performing today. Along with the recently renovated Town Hall, it means Birmingham has two outstanding venues where the classics can be truly enjoyed.
Opera
Welsh National Opera performs its repertoire at Birmingham’s 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 and folk
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.