The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the live music scene in Birmingham, UK, with venues across the city forced to close their doors due to government restrictions arising from public health concerns. In many cases, these closures have been devastating for both the venues themselves and the communities that they serve. Singer/songwriter Namywa Jazz stated:
Artists, creatives and music fans here in the Midlands have felt these losses the most. The threat of more grassroots music venues shutting their doors for good due to the pandemic is a scary and daunting thought for us all… ”
Live music venues are not only places to enjoy music. They are also integral parts of local culture and economies (Behr et al. 2016). In this blog post, we will take a closer look at some of the live music venues in Birmingham that have closed since the start of the pandemic along with the impact of these closures on the communities they served. From iconic landmark institutions to much-loved grassroots venues, we explore the stories behind the closures and the efforts being made to save these vital parts of Birmingham’s cultural landscape.
The research carried out by Birmingham Live Music Project post-pandemic highlighted a number of venues which closed during the height of the Covid-19 disruptions. Many faced closure as a direct result of government lockdowns. In some cases, even when restriction measures were eased and venues were technically able to reopen, the limitations of capacity still proved to be detrimental to many businesses (Birmingham Live Music Project, 2020). The pandemic also, of course, did not affect all venues equally. Some were able to weather the storm better than others, depending on factors such as their location, size, and business model. For example, some smaller venues may have been able to adapt more quickly than larger ones, while venues with outdoor spaces were generally more resilient than indoor ones in the context of restrictions around space and distance. Research carried out by Birmingham Live Music Project (part of the Live Music Mapping Project) identified that over 47% of music venues within the B-postcode had an outdoor space Birmingham Live Music Project, 2020
Birmingham has approximately 350 (2024) locations in which live music performances take place with various types of venues scattered throughout the whole B-postcode, with over 190 of these located in the epicentre of the city (B1- B48). These spaces, if filled to capacity on a single evening, could accommodate approximately 106,310 attendees (2024). This figure represents about 10% of the city’s population and includes venues ranging from smaller, intimate settings like the Sunflower Lounge in the city centre to larger spaces like Resort World on the city’s outskirts. The largest single category of Birmingham’s live music spaces are bars or pubs that host live music events, accounting for about 39% of all venues where music is performed live, and 28% of the total (including also rehearsal and production spaces). The city also has a significant number of social and student clubs, theatres, and small venues dedicated solely to music, most of which have a capacity of up to 400 people. When compared to other cities such as Liverpool, Oxford, Glasgow, and Newcastle, Birmingham’s live music scene exhibits similar characteristics. Like Liverpool, largest category of Birmingham’s venues are bars and pubs. However, Birmingham stands out due to its relatively large percentage of ‘unorthodox’ venues. These include university buildings, restaurants, social clubs, and outdoor spaces that are not traditionally associated with live music. For instance, the city hosts numerous outdoor events at locations like Moseley Park, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and the Vale Fest. Furthermore, Birmingham has the capacity to host a large-scale urban festival in the city centre. Here, locations like the Centenary Square, Victoria Square, Smithfield, but also green outdoor spaces like Moseley Park with Moseley Jazz and Folk Festivals play a huge role.
Between 2020 and 2022, the city lost 8 venues with a total reported capacity of 650. However, during the same period, 13 new venues opened, offering a total reported capacity of over 25,000. These new venues range from large-scale projects like the refurbishment of the Utilita Arena to smaller venues such as DeadWax and the Forum Birmingham. This recovery underscores the capacity for growth and adaptation within Birmingham’s live music ecosystem. It’s important, though, when considering these changes to bear in mind the types of venue in question. A new or refurbished arena, while adding overall capacity to the city, and provision at the upper end of economic ladder, isn’t a ‘like-for-like’ replacement for grassroots venues that have had to close and which nurture acts at a different stage of their career. The pandemic revealed, across the board, the role that government support can play in supporting live music – as a means of survival, in that case – but also the need to pay attention to different needs and priorities across the sector from the major spaces through to the grassroots which feed them.
In the United Kingdom, the government established a Culture Recovery Fund in July 2020, which provided £1.57 billion in funding to support cultural organisations, including live music venues, museums, and theatres (The Guardian, 2020). Similarly, Arts Council England provided emergency funding to a range of cultural organisations, including music venues and festivals, to help them stay afloat during the pandemic (BBC, 2021). The Culture Recovery Fund scheme received widespread welcome and support from a range of cultural organisations, including the Music Venue Trust (Evening Standard, 2020) and Theatres Trust (Theatre Trust, 2021).
Nevertheless, even with this support from the state, there were still many businesses within the cultural and live music sector which have struggled to recover and as a result had to end trading. This included the well-known historic pub in Birmingham Bulls Head (B15 1EJ) (Birmingham Mail 2022). Post pandemic we have also seen music venues such as Jukeboxers (B1 2AA) closing their doors after just two years due to the rising costs (BBC, 2023).
One notable example of a venue in Birmingham that faced the threat of permanent closure, but was ultimately rescued is the Artrix Centre (B60 1GN; Bromsgrove Adveriser, 2020). The Artrix Centre, known for its diverse range of arts and cultural programming, including live music events, found itself in financial jeopardy due to the pandemic’s impact on its operations (Bromsgrove Advertiser, 2020). However, thanks to government funding, it received the necessary financial support to stay afloat. This funding allowed the venue to continue its vital role in the local arts community and provided a lifeline for the preservation of its cultural offerings. The rescue of the Artrix Centre demonstrates the crucial importance of government support in safeguarding the existence of valuable cultural institutions, ensuring their continued contribution to the vibrancy and richness of the region’s artistic landscape.
With space up to 80 guests, Ralph’s Bar (B16 8LP), another popular music destination, has also closed permanently due to the pandemic. Known for its live music events, Ralph’s Bar was a beloved spot for local music lovers alike. Similarly, another venue featuring a 150 capacity Pizza Express (B1 2HL), located in the Brindleyplace area of the city, has announced that it will be closing permanently after providing intimate performances and great food to music lovers in the area (Birmingham Mail, 2021).
However, despite these difficulties, there have been some positive developments, as some smaller spaces have managed to stay afloat, and new live music locations have even opened across the city.
Delivering live music to audiences of up to 150 capacity, Channel 7 PBG (B9 4AT) is a newly opened bar located in the Digbeth area of Birmingham. It opened its doors in 2021, offering a diverse range of events, comedy, spoken word, and visual arts.
Another relatively new location for gig-goers is Albert’s Schloss Birmingham (B3 3AX). Accommodating for up to 500 guests, the Bavarian-style beer hall opened their Birmingham since 2021, which has become a popular location for live music in the post-COVID era. The venue’s spacious beer hall and live music stage have provided an additional platform for musicians and artists to perform.
One of the recently opened locations that defied the challenges posed by Covid 19 was Luna Springs, which actually opened in 2020, during the pandemic. Luna Springs (B9 4AG), an outdoor venue located in Birmingham, has quickly established itself as a popular destination for live music since opening. The platform offers a unique and spacious outdoor space that can accommodate up to 400 people, with various seating options and a stage for live performances. The venue’s success demonstrates the importance of innovation and adaptability in the post-COVID world and highlights Birmingham’s position as a city that continues to embrace and support live music.
The pandemic has had a profound impact on the live music industry in Birmingham. With some venues managing to stay afloat and adapt, while others have had to close their doors permanently. Meanwhile, the increasing presence of live Asian music venues in Birmingham is a positive sign of the city’s vibrant cultural scene and the importance of supporting live music venues in the post-COVID world. The UK government’s Culture Recovery Fund and Arts Council England provided essential support, highlighting the need for ongoing investment in live music venues to preserve Birmingham’s rich cultural heritage. By embracing adaptability, innovation, and collaboration, Birmingham’s live music industry is well-positioned for continued growth and success.
