Following the sad, unexpected and indefinite end of Forum Birmingham in April due to the closure of the Corporation Square building by its landlords, the team behind the acclaimed venue has secured a new home which will allow them to continue to offer up some of Birmingham’s most essential events. Some previously scheduled events will now be hosted at the new space, with a full calendar including live and club events to be announced soon.
Located at the former Roller Jam site in Digbeth, the new music venue, aptly named Forum Digbeth, marks a real phoenix from the ashes moment and the start of an exciting new chapter. With a 2,000 capacity and a raw, warehouse-style aesthetic, Forum Digbeth is currently undergoing phased renovations. Most importantly, the iconic D&B Audiotechnik sound system from the former Forum Birmingham site has already been installed and made its debut during a packed-out show with Uncle Waffles on 31st May.
The closure of Corporation Square has sparked broader conversations about the fate of cultural institutions in the city.
Says Billy Chauhan of Global Venues, “It’s devastating to see the doors of Forum Birmingham close. This venue was more than bricks and mortar – it was a symbol of Birmingham’s rich musical legacy and a place that shaped both my journey and countless others. We brought it back to life to honour six decades of culture, identity, and connection, and its loss reflects a worrying trend in the dismantling of the UK’s night-time economy. We’re losing the very spaces that give our cities soul. However, as one door closes, another opens and I’m extremely excited about our revival of the Roller Jam site under the Forum Digbeth banner. We have world-class talent in the pipeline and highly regarded promoters across live and electronic such as Louder already on board.”
Dr Michael Dring is an academic, scholar and architect from Birmingham who adds, “[The close of Corporation Square] is a major loss to the city’s architectural and cultural heritage, and our thoughts are with those directly affected by this sudden decision. However, this closure is about more than business, it marks the continued and gradual erosion of the city’s history, culture and identity.”
“On Dale End beneath the precinct, the two-level ‘Top Rank Ballroom’, subsequently the Hummingbird, Carling Academy, The Ballroom and most recently Forum Birmingham, has formed an essential part of the city’s nighttime economy, along with the two pubs. The venue hosted many great acts including Roxy Music, the Ramones, Nirvana, Sonic Youth,The Beastie Boys [and recently Bicep and Mike Skinner]. The current operators of Forum Birmingham see themselves as custodians of this important venue, reflected in their now-abandoned programme of celebrations for its 60th year.”
With Forum Digbeth, the team aims to preserve and evolve Birmingham’s famous musical heartbeat and make sure it remains a key part of the city’s cultural future. For information follow @forum.digbeth