Often dubbed the Second City, Birmingham is proving it doesn’t play second fiddle when it comes to music and has been setting the beat for decades.
Now, its hospitality scene is reaffirming its place as one of the UK’s most dynamic live music hubs, where the largest category of Birmingham’s live music spaces are bars or pubs, accounting for 39% of all live music gigs.
New data from GigPig, the UK’s largest live music marketplace, shows that Birmingham’s hospitality sector has facilitated 8,333 gigs since 2022, which has generated over £2.5 million for the artist economy.
Live music gigs in Birmingham experienced a 69% year-on-year increase in live music gigs booked via the GigPig platform, soaring from 3,868 gigs in 2023 to 6,533 gigs in 2024.
But it’s May when live music activity starts to ramp up, delivering a 32% spike in performances compared to the monthly average of 1,179 gigs.
Data from GigPig reveals there has been 8,333 live gigs facilitated through the platform since 2022, generating over £2.5 million for the artist economy.
With 1,552 gigs happening in May alone, Birmingham’s music venues are proving that live entertainment is a central part of the city’s cultural offering.
The data positions Birmingham as the fourth most active live music city in the UK, just behind London, Manchester, and Liverpool.
With 67 venues booked through GigPig, the demand for live entertainment is surging, especially at 8pm, where 2,717 gigs have taken place this year.
Genres such as Soul (2,905 gigs), R&B (2,716), and Garage (2,408) dominate, reflecting the city’s rich musical diversity and the tastes of its night-time audience.
“We’re delighted to be the catalyst for a diverse range of artists being able to gig in their preferred locations, they are the lifeblood of our night time economy,” said Mick Forster, GigPig’s CEO.
“We’re committed to revolutionising the music industry and supporting the hospitality sector, and we can’t wait to see how the live music scene now evolves in Birmingham.”
The surge is being led by several standout venues defining the city’s musical identity.
Albert’s Schloss is the city’s undisputed live music juggernaut, topping the list with an incredible 5,292 gigs booked through GigPig. This bohemian pleasure palace isn’t just a bar… It’s a cabaret, a bier hall, and a live music utopia all rolled into one gloriously rowdy venue. Famed for its nightly rotation of soul singers, gospel choirs, Oompah bands and late-night DJs, this is where live performance meets unfiltered party spirit.
BOX Brindleyplace delivers Brum’s most chaotic Thursday nights with its legendary Bandeoke, inviting guests to front a full live band and channel their inner rockstar. It’s also a magnet for high-energy bands and DJs, with 436 live music performances booked in 2024 alone, it brings big tunes, bigger vibes, and the perfect warm-up (or afterparty) for your night out.
Burlesque, basslines and absolutely beloved, Mama Roux’s is where Birmingham’s finest musicians grace their stage. With thousands passing through weekly, it proves how vital free entry grassroots venues are to the city’s nightlife, offering volume, culture, and community in one glittering package. And as they take advantage of the 8pm golden hour, it sets the tone for big nights out.
The O Bar pulses at the heart of Broad Street with live music on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, covering everything from Rock to Blues to R&B. With DJ sets keeping the rest of the week moving, it plays into the city’s top three most popular genres, where R&B accommodates 2,716 of the 8,333 gigs booked through the platform, giving guests plenty of reasons to come out and stay out.
A cornerstone of Birmingham’s grassroots music scene, The Sunflower Lounge is where future stars cut their teeth and cult favourites light up the stage. This dive-bar-style gem hosts intimate basement gigs and cutting-edge DJs upstairs. It’s small, sweaty, and completely unforgettable – the way live music should be.
Data reveals more than 1,100 gigs take place every month in Birmingham, with May leading the way, the city is setting the tempo for the UK’s nightlife.