Photo by Luke Matthews on Unsplash
Birmingham is what you make of it. The city is raw and real. And have a curry in Birmingham, and you’ll never want one anywhere else (at least in the UK) again.
Yes, the main city centre near Primark is a bit questionable sometimes, but one thing that never fails is the music scene. From grungy, underground raves in Digbeth with some of the biggest DJs to the O2 Academy, which also brings in some of the most globally renowned and up-and-coming artists,
From the opinion of a local, here’s how to plan the perfect music weekend in Birmingham.
Where to Go For Bigger Music Events and Concerts in Birmingham
Without a doubt, the Utilita Arena and the O2 Academy are the best places to go in Birmingham for bigger music events and concerts.
The O2 Academy isn’t a massive venue, but we think that makes the atmosphere so much more electric.
Some exciting upcoming events at the O2 Academy in Birmingham are:
- The Streets – 06 June, 2026
- The Luke Combs Experience – 27 June, 2026
- Charlie Puth – 18 July, 2026
So big names are always there.
The Utilita Arena is so much bigger and closer to Broad Street and the canals of Birmingham. Some of the big names coming to the Utilita Arena in Birmingham include:
- Pussycat Dolls – 29 September, 2026
- Westlife – 16-18 October, 2026
- J Cole – 25 October, 2026
Because massive concert announcements and multi-day festivals draw thousands of visitors to the city, local accommodations tend to book up quickly, causing prices to spike. To avoid overpaying, event-goers can use Cozycozy to view a complete index of hotels, budget holiday rentals, and guest houses all in one place to secure the best deal.
Where to Go For Underground-Vibe Raves
Digbeth. There’s no competition in the country for underground raves or places that feel like an underground rave, even if you don’t actually go underground.
It’s sort of a place you go for a mysterious night into the underground wilderness, and come out the other side understanding why Digbeth has such an amazing rave culture and reputation for being a through and through, old-school rave area that still has the same vibe that it did 30 years ago.
You’ve got Lab 11, Luna Springs, The Rainbow and Forum that have events every weekend.
Music Festivals in The West Midlands
One of Birmingham’s main music festivals is MADE in Birmingham. It used to be one big event, but now it’s multiple events held at the open-air venue, Luna Springs. The first events will be in July on the 12th and 25th, with artists like Hybrid Minds and Stamina MC returning to Birmingham for yet another incredible event.
Tickets are on sale on the Luna Springs website, and the genres are drum and bass and bassline.
If that’s not your cup of tea, there’s also the MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL at Birmingham’s Moseley Park, which runs from 10th to 12th of July in 2026.
There are always incredible festivals in the West Midlands for all types of music lovers.
How to Find Music Events in Birmingham
You can just Google ‘Music events in Birmingham’, or you can use apps like Skiddle and Eventbrite to find what’s on in Birmingham.
It’s not too difficult to find and book tickets. There’s always something happening, and even if it’s not exactly a big-name artist, there’s always music flowing through the streets of Birmingham. You can go to areas like Digbeth on any night of the week and listen to live music by local artists trying to make a name for themselves.
It’s always a vibe, and you’re always going to love it. Our top tip would be that if you’re planning an event-focused trip, but there are no gigs in Birmingham on the weekend you want to go, just go to Digbeth.
Birmingham’s music scene is a free spirit. You can find everything and anything, so it really isn’t difficult to plan a music-focused weekend in the city. And when you’re done, don’t forget to finish the night off with a curry!