Music & Nightlife
From heavy metal to hip hop, Birmingham is a musical powerhouse.
Birmingham has a storied history of musical innovation. Big household names UB40, Duran Duran and The Streets have ties to Birmingham.
This city is also where the genre of Heavy Metal was invented by the band Black Sabbath, who you will likely know better for their enigmatic front man and global megastar Ozzy Osbourne.
However, our musical output didn’t stop there. In recent years artists such as Lady Leshurr, Jaykae and m1llionz have all made big name for themselves in UK hip hop.
The city has a fantastic infrastructure for live music and many venues, where you’ll be able to see anything from unsigned open mic nights to big international stadium acts.
- Resorts World / BP Pulse Live
A venue of many names Resorts World Arena, soon to be renamed BP Pulse Live is often still referred to as the NEC by locals long enough to remember it pre-sponsorship. A quick train journey between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International will grant you access to some of the biggest artists in global music today.
Adjacent to the arena are a number of dining experiences, shopping, cinema all under the resorts world name. If you’re feeling more daring there are also a number of adrenaline pumping experiences available at Bear Grylls Adventure.
- O2 Institute & O2 Academy
Hundreds of international acts will also regularly pass through both the O2 Academy and O2 Institute based in Horse Fair and Digbeth. Just make sure you learn which one is which before your concert!
These venues also host a number of club nights should you want a break or a different sound from what’s on offer on Broad Street.
- The Jam House
If you’re looking for something a bit more old school, The Jam House is the closest you’ll get to a famous Chicago Blues Club or New Orleans Jazz Venue within walking distance of your student accommodation.
It hosts one of the longest running live music nights in the U.K. along with a fantastic selection of food and drinks to keep you going all night long.
@astonuniversity Summer is here, so let’s continue exploring fun things to do in Birmingham over the next couple of months!☀️ Did you know Birmingham has a huge amount of live music venues, and regularly sees hundreds of international artists playing? We visited the Jam House 🎤 #livemusicbirmingham #fyp #birminghamuk #universitylife ♬ original sound - AstonUniversity - Broad Street
As a student it’s likely you’re going to at least visit Broad Street at least once during your time studying at Aston. The majority of the cities night clubs can be found on this popular road along with all the cash points, taxis and fast food you’ll need for the end of your night out as the sun is starting to come up. However, there’s more to Broad Street than the nightclub scene as it’s joined to Brindleyplace a beautiful canal side area which echoes European street dining on the few short weeks in the year where the sun shows up to say hello.
- Digbeth
If you’re looking for something a bit less traditional, Digbeth a former industrial area in the city which has been repurposed as a creative hub and area for small independent businesses. You may find yourself enjoying an amazing pizza at Dead Wax, indulging in retro video game nostalgia at NQ64 or revisiting some old movie favourites in the comfortable environment of the mockingbird cinema.
- Gay Village
Birmingham is a diverse and welcoming city with a passionate LGBTQ+ scene. Birmingham’s Gay Village mainly centred in Hurst Street parallel to Chinese Quarter is a lively cosmopolitan area for fusion food, bars and nightclubs.
Birmingham Pride takes place yearly over the spring bank holiday weekend and attracts upwards of 70,000 visitors to the city for the most fabulous of celebrations.