Birmingham Music Visitor Experience
The Birmingham Music Visitor Experience project explored how music can play a bigger role in the city’s cultural and visitor economy.
Led by Birmingham Music Archive in partnership with Aston University’s Live Music Mapping Project, and cultural consultant Lara Ratnaraja, the project brought together research, public engagement and sector expertise to ask a simple question: how can Birmingham better celebrate and share its extraordinary musical story?
The research confirmed what many of us have known for years. Birmingham is one of the world’s great music cities, shaped by generations of creativity across metal, reggae, bhangra, jazz, electronic music, folk, punk, indie, hip hop and countless other scenes. From grassroots venues and neighbourhood spaces to internationally recognised artists, music is woven into the city’s identity.
Drawing on public surveys, stakeholder roundtables and the mapping of more than 300 music-related assets across Birmingham, the report found that the city already attracts highly engaged music visitors. The challenge is not a lack of music or places to visit, but making those stories easier to discover and connect.
Rather than proposing a single attraction, the report sets out a vision for a joined-up music visitor experience. One that links live music, heritage, neighbourhoods, independent venues, food, nightlife and community stories into a richer experience that encourages visitors to stay longer, explore more and return.
For Birmingham Music Archive, this project reflects our long-standing belief that Birmingham’s musical heritage is one of its greatest cultural assets. The city’s story cannot be told through a handful of famous artists alone. It is a story of migration, working-class communities, independent venues, local scenes and the people who have shaped music here for generations.
The report provides an important evidence base for future collaboration across the music, culture, heritage and tourism sectors, helping to position Birmingham as a city where music is not just something to see and hear, but something to experience.
Project partners
- Birmingham Music Archive
- Birmingham Museums Trust
- Aston University Live Music Mapping Project
- Lara Ratnaraja
- Birmingham City Council
Supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.