BOM (Birmingham Open Media)<\/a>, the app lets you explore the city through the stories, venues, artists, and scenes that shaped Birmingham\u2019s globally influential music culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAt the centre of the experience is Birmingham Music Archive Founder\/Director, Jez Collins, who appears throughout the app (in many guises!) as your guide to the city\u2019s musical past and present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/birminghammusicarchive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/cropped-app-image-jez-1024x797.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nExplore Birmingham through music<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
From heavy metal and reggae to bhangra, punk, jazz, folk, indie, electronic music, and beyond, Brum SoundTracks helps uncover the people, places, and communities that built Birmingham\u2019s unique sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using the app, you can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Follow curated music trails across Birmingham<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Discover iconic venues and hidden music landmarks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Unlock archive photographs, posters, and stories on location<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Explore by genre, artist, or area of the city<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Experience augmented reality content featuring our own Jez Collins<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Listen to specially curated Birmingham playlists and soundtracks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Whether you are a lifelong Brummie, a music fan visiting the city, or someone curious about Birmingham\u2019s cultural history, Brum SoundTracks offers a new way to experience the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A guide like no other!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
For years, Birmingham Music Archive has documented, celebrated, and preserved the city\u2019s music heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brum SoundTracks builds on that work by placing those stories directly into the streets and spaces where Birmingham\u2019s music history happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/birminghammusicarchive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BOM-App-Walkabout-2-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/birminghammusicarchive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/HERO-BOM-App-Walkabout-181.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/birminghammusicarchive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/BOM-App-Walkabout-35-1024x683.jpg\")
Image credits: Verity E. Milligan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThroughout the app, Jez appears as your pocket tour guide, introducing venues, sharing stories, and connecting Birmingham\u2019s musical past to the present day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cBirmingham\u2019s music history is everywhere. Brum SoundTracks helps people experience those stories where they actually happened.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Filmed using BOM\u2019s virtual production and immersive technology facilities, the AR experiences create an engaging and accessible way to discover Birmingham\u2019s music culture at locations across the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A collaboration between Birmingham Music Archive and BOM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Brum SoundTracks has been developed by BOM (Birmingham Open Media) in collaboration with Birmingham Music Archive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/birminghammusicarchive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/jez-green-screen-819x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe project combines BMA\u2019s extensive archive and deep knowledge of Birmingham\u2019s music culture with BOM\u2019s expertise in immersive technology, digital storytelling, and augmented reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\u201cThis project combines archive, storytelling, technology, and place to celebrate Birmingham\u2019s musical identity in a new way.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Together, the project aims to make Birmingham\u2019s music history more visible, accessible, and engaging for audiences of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nFunding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Brum SoundTracks app has been developed by BOM in collaboration with Birmingham Music Archive. The project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/birminghammusicarchive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/UKSPF-logos-bma-website-1024x85.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more information, visit https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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