Photo by William Hook on Unsplash
Should Birmingham really live in the shadows of London and Manchester when people talk about live events? The city attracts some of the biggest artists in music and top comedians from around the world. So where exactly does Birmingham sit in the national rankings?
Birmingham’s history of music
Few cities in the UK can claim a musical heritage like Birmingham’s. Venues like the O2 Academy, the Utilita Arena, and Symphony Hall host major acts, from pop stars to orchestral ensembles. Dubbed the birthplace of heavy metal, with bands like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, Birmingham has also had a big impact on other genres, with bands like UB40, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), and Duran Duran. More recently, grime artists like Jaykae and the late Depzman have hailed from the area. Stormzy once said “Birmingham are the unsung heroes” of grime. Others like The Streets, Laura Mvula and Jorja Smith add to the city’s rich collection of artists across genres.
Comedy finding its voice
Comedy workshops, open mic nights, and online platforms help to democratise the comedy scene. Performers don’t need to move to London to “make it”; instead, many acts stay around and build followings while honing their craft. Several venues have a relaxed enough atmosphere for new talent to find their feet; crowds might be relaxing with their friends, checking the football scores, or using an online UK casino on their phone.
London might be the UK’s comedy capital in terms of industry presence, but Birmingham has a distinct comic identity. Comedians are often more direct and often deeply relatable. Some of the country’s most loved comics hail from Birmingham: Lenny Henry, Frank Skinner, Tony Hancock, Shazia Mirza, and Joe Lycett. BBC radio listeners once voted Hancock as their favourite British comedian; he was a huge influence on others like Steve Coogan and Ricky Gervais. Major venues such as the Glee Club have hosted big names like John Bishop and Sarah Millican, as well as emerging standups getting their foot in the door. Many comics test new material here – if it lands in Birmingham, it’ll land elsewhere.
Venues keep the city buzzing
Birmingham’s infrastructure makes it a major live events destination. Large capacity arenas, intimate stages tucked away in pubs, and everything between make it one of the hotspots for musicians, comedians, actors, and creatives of all types. The Utilita Arena Birmingham holds up to 15,000 people. Its 2025 music events include Stevie Wonder, Pulp, Central Cee, Sean Paul & Ashanti, Chase & Status, Tyler, the Creator, Scissor Sisters, The Lumineers, Lionel Richie, Iron Maiden, and John Legend. Comedy dates include Kevin Hart, Katherine Ryan, Russell Peters, Paul Chowdhry, Peter Kay, and John Bishop. Smaller venues like the Hare & Hounds host a variety of live music and club nights spanning jazz, funk, reggae, drum & bass, hip hop and more. Their 2025 calendar includes Nubiyan Twist, Sari Schorr, Benefits, The Scribes, and Preoccupations, among a wide variety of DJ nights.
Comparing Birmingham to the rest of the UK
So how does Birmingham compare to London, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, and other cities? London undoubtedly dominates in terms of volume and variety, but with that comes higher prices and often a more corporate vibe. Manchester may be Birmingham’s closest rival when it comes to cultural influence outside London.
Birmingham is large enough to attract huge international names like those listed above, but intimate enough for local acts to build a name. Its venues don’t come with prohibitive price tags too often, and it can feel less commercially driven than some other places.
Audience engagement is another area where the city shines, whether it’s devoted fans at a metal gig or a packed-out comedy night. It’s somewhere that new talent can be nurtured and find exposure where they might have struggled to be heard in London.
In short, Birmingham might not have the glitz of London or the media hype of Manchester, but its live event scenes rivals any in the UK.