It’s no secret that Birmingham gets a jip from the outside world. But everyone in it – gets it. I
came to this city 13 years ago, and there is a constant flow of people I’ve met since who
were born and raised in Brum, still here, and never fail to sing its praises.
One of the many wonders of Birmingham, etched into its deeply musical and social history (a
history perhaps pleasantly unexpected for those not native to the second city – I was one of
them!) – is Digbeth Dining Club. DDC brought hundreds, thousands of punters every week to
their street food musical and culture brim-bristling bar/club floors in the party land of Digbeth,
creating a strong brummie community with threads sewn through old and new bodies there
every day.
Onto new ventures after covid, and the team behind DDC brought us Hockley Social Club
which has settled HQ in a fantastic warehouse in Hockley, JQ. Here they have been hosting
a diverse range of events, shows, street food and activities, truly encompassing a space for
any and everyone.
CBSO Review
..when the CBSO – Birmingham’s very own world-renowned symphony
orchestra – collaborated with Hockley Social Club in bringing concerts to a very different
space than a concert hall, created something not just special and unique but something
incredibly crucial to a community.
I came to Birmingham in 2012 to study at the Conservatoire for 4 years. In that time, I
opened my experiences into not only classical music, but folk, jazz, modern and beyond;
experiences that have made me into who I am and what I do. I don’t perform classical music
anymore sadly, but that’s the sacrifice I made to do what I do. I listen instead to it on the
radio in the car all the time, and it never stops being magical. I have often thought…’it would
be amazing to communicate classical music to people that may not have access or known
interest in it…because it really can be: magical.’
Which is why, when the CBSO – Birmingham’s very own world-renowned symphony
orchestra – collaborated with Hockley Social Club in bringing concerts to a very different
space than a concert hall, created something not just special and unique but something
incredibly crucial to a community. To be able to access world-class performances from
virtuosic musicians just down the road with an ale in your hand, for just £12 a ticket…what
more can I say!
Max Richter composes beautifully harmonically rich pieces with modern twists;
music perfectly set for the moment. This time also, the production has evolved. The lighting
throughout the performance journeys with the music, taking us into each season and mood
change creatively.
This CBSO Symphonic Session has packed out the venue. Every seat is taken, and the
atmosphere is buzzing. I’ve been to two Symphonic Sessions, this time being the second,
and a kind lady helps slot us into what feels like the last two chairs in the room. Everyone is
set and ready; beers, wines and snacks at the helm and the hubbub of laughter and chats
blend into applause as the musicians take the stage.
What I love about these shows is the musicians speak freely to the audience between
pieces, giving context and background, even making jokes and having a laugh. They aren’t
dressed in their smart blacks, they are dressed in what makes them feel comfortable. This
isn’t a ‘right’ or ‘better’ way to experience classical music, it’s just ‘A’ way. A new way, in a
new space, with new and old ears.
This time they perform Max Richter’s four seasons – his take on the famous violin concerto
by Vivaldi. Max Richter composes beautifully harmonically rich pieces with modern twists;
music perfectly set for the moment. This time also, the production has evolved. The lighting
throughout the performance journeys with the music, taking us into each season and mood
change creatively. Winter’s slow movement accompanied by cool hues hitting off the disco
ball suspended above us, autumn’s warmer oranges swimming gently around the stage,
spring’s brighter mixtures lift the space entirely, and so on.
It is moving to witness something like this. Not confining classical music to any box is exactly
how it should be enjoyed. Watching eyes glitter at sounds never heard, and new emotions
felt. You can feel the energy in the space itself.
Sadly, Birmingham is losing another intrinsic entity in the arts scene, with Hockley Social
Club closing its doors in 6 months time after 5 years of what has been a bursting blossom of
creativity, community and connections. With it, Symphonic Sessions will be no more.
However, you can still capture the last of their events at the venue before they close and see
it for yourself.
For two of these forces of creativity to be accessible and actively bringing joy in artistic forms
to Birmingham, and sometimes together, is an unforgettably integral chapter to Birmingham’s
story.
On the upside, Digbeth Dining Club still goes strong, with events happening in surrounding
areas to Brum and there’s even talk of a new venue opening soon. The scene is difficult.
Given the brains behind these concepts, there’s a whole host of possibilities that could occur
right on our doorstep next…
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra still plays on too, with a huge array of concerts
and events occurring in and around Birmingham and beyond. It is worth checking their
website, as they are offering many different experiences, and excitingly in many diverse
spaces.
Please experience Hockley Social Club, and please experience the CBSO.
For two of these forces of creativity to be accessible and actively bringing joy in artistic forms
to Birmingham, and sometimes together, is an unforgettably integral chapter to Birmingham’s
story.
You can catch the next instalment of Symphonic Sessions at Hockley Social Club on Thursday 18th September 2025, tickets here: https://digbethdiningclub.com/event/cbso-presents-symphonic-sessions
Words by Ning-Ning Li for Grapevine Birmingham