From arena-filling superstars and legendary rock venues to intimate gigs, comedy and world-class theatre, Birmingham has a live entertainment scene to rival any city in Britain. Here’s The Birmingham Edit guide to some of the venues you need on your radar — plus what’s coming up this September.
There are cities where you go out for a drink, and there are cities where you go out and unexpectedly find yourself watching the next big band, laughing at a brilliant comedian or standing in an arena with thousands of people singing the same chorus.
Birmingham is very definitely the latter.
Music runs through the city. This is, after all, the place that gave the world Black Sabbath, Duran Duran, UB40, The Beat and countless other artists, and that musical heritage is still very much alive.
But Birmingham’s entertainment scene goes far beyond music. Comedy, theatre, dance and spectacular arena productions all contribute to a packed calendar of nights out.
So where should you go?
The big one: Symphony Hall
Few venues demonstrate Birmingham’s cultural ambition better than Symphony Hall. Sitting at the heart of Centenary Square, it can move effortlessly from orchestral performances to rock, pop, comedy and spoken-word events.
Visit Symphony Hall and see what’s on HERE
September is particularly busy. David Essex arrives on 1 September, while Brian Conley, Shane Richie, Bradley Walsh and Joe Pasquale bring The Prat Pack to the venue on 10 September. Comedian Simon Brodkin follows on the 11th, with Jon Anderson & The Band Geeks on 15 September and Marillion with Haunt the Woods on the 23rd.
There’s even An Evening with Richard Osman on 8 September, proving Symphony Hall really does stretch the definition of live entertainment.
Go huge at Utilita Arena Birmingham
When a tour needs thousands of fans, massive production and an atmosphere to match, Utilita Arena Birmingham is one of the city’s essential stops.
September alone illustrates the scale of the place.
Evanescence, joined by Poppy and K.Flay, play on 11 September, followed by Jane McDonald on the 12th and global Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh on the 18th. Niall Horan arrives on 22 September before comedian Paul Smith takes over on the 25th.
And if that isn’t enough, The Pussycat Dolls, joined by Lil’ Kim and Deja Vu, round out the month on 29 September.
Feel the history at O2 Academy Birmingham
There’s something wonderfully immediate about a great Academy gig: packed crowd, big sound and the feeling that you’re properly part of the show.
See upcoming O2 Academy Birmingham gigs HERE
September’s schedule ranges from Dance Gavin Dance with As December Falls and Dwellings on the 6th to Baby Keem on 16 September, Capleton on the 19th and Jill Scott on 29 September. I Prevail also bring their Violent Nature Tour to Birmingham for two nights on 26 and 27 September.
Digbeth after dark: O2 Institute Birmingham
If the Academy feels big, the O2 Institute feels a little more up-close and personal — and its Digbeth location makes it perfect for building an entire night around the gig.
Explore the O2 Institute Birmingham HERE
Coming up are Soulfly + Nailbomb on 5 September, Jamie Webster on the 10th and plenty more across the Institute’s different rooms. It’s exactly the sort of venue where discovering the support act can sometimes be as memorable as seeing the headliner.
Birmingham music heritage at Hare & Hounds
Every great music city needs venues which feel part of its DNA, and the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath absolutely qualifies.
See what’s on at Hare & Hounds HERE.
The Grade II-listed pub famously hosted UB40’s first gig in 1979, but today its upstairs rooms remain brilliantly eclectic, covering indie, jazz, reggae, funk, hip-hop, soul, house, techno and drum & bass.
September’s listings include A Place To Bury Strangers, Talia Mar, Devlin and plenty more.
For The Birmingham Edit, this is exactly the sort of venue we love: historic without living in the past.
A night out at The Jam House
Set in beautiful St Paul’s Square, The Jam House offers something slightly different — a proper night out where live music, drinks and dinner can all be part of the experience.
See The Jam House Birmingham listings HERE
September highlights include The South, featuring members of The Beautiful South, on 3 September, a celebration of Brazilian music on the 10th and soul and R&B favourites from B’Spoke on 26 September.
It’s a particularly good choice when you want live music without the traditional arrive-gig-leave routine.
Something different at XOYO Birmingham
Birmingham nightlife is evolving fast, and XOYO Birmingham is firmly part of that new generation.
Its September programme is impressively varied: Passenger on 1 September, Kurt Vile & The Violators on the 12th, Holy Holy on the 16th, Rhythm Of The 90s on the 18th and an Ezra Collective DJ set on 23 September.
There are rooftop parties, R&B nights and club events thrown into the mix too.
In other words, don’t expect to pigeonhole XOYO.
For comedy lovers: The Glee Club
Not every great Birmingham night needs a guitar.
The Glee Club Birmingham has built a formidable reputation for comedy alongside music and special events, and September’s programme is packed.
Among the highlights are Friday and Saturday Night Comedy, Baga Chipz on 15 September, Jazz Emu on the 16th, Grace Campbell on the 23rd and the brilliantly unpredictable Comedy Carousel.
It’s intimate, lively and one of the best places in the city to catch comedians before they’re playing much bigger rooms.
And don’t forget Birmingham’s theatres
Live entertainment here isn’t restricted to concert venues.
Birmingham Hippodrome has Mrs Doubtfire The Musical running until 19 September before Birmingham Royal Ballet’s spectacular Swan Lake arrives from 23rd September.
Meanwhile, The Alexandra Birmingham welcomes The Mousetrap, comedy from Sam Campbell, Fin Taylor, Phil Wang and Gary Delaney, before Lord of the Dance arrives on 28 September.
Birmingham, take your seats
The best thing about Birmingham’s entertainment scene is its sheer variety.
One night you can be watching an international superstar in an arena; the next you’re upstairs in a Kings Heath pub discovering a band you’ve never heard before. Add world-class theatre, comedy, dance, club nights and Birmingham’s extraordinary musical heritage and there’s rarely an excuse for staying home.
And September?
Clear the diary. Birmingham is putting on one hell of a show.
The Birmingham Edit | MUSIC • CULTURE • PEOPLE • CITY LIFE
Event details are correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change. Always check directly with the venue before travelling.
