Live Music Research

04/06/2026

🎙️ What happens when you put two music policy nerds on air for 2 hours?

Answer: a LOT of Birmingham love, some serious insights… and (thankfully) no one cut the mic 😄

I had a fantastic time joining Jez Collins from the Music Archive (https://birminghammusicarchive.com/) on Brum Radio’s Rock of Ages to talk all things Birmingham Music Visitor Experience Report — and, more importantly, what it means for the city going forward.

From music heritage to the visitor journey, we dug into how Birmingham can better tell its story (and yes, maybe make it just a little easier for people to find the good stuff!). It was a genuinely engaging, energising discussion — the kind that reminds you why these collaborations matter.

Huge thank you to Brum Radio and Andrew Miller () for hosting such a thoughtful and dynamic conversation 🙌

🎧 You can now listen to the full show as a podcast here:

👉 https://brumradio.com/rock-of-ages/

12/05/2026

Birmingham Music Visitor Experience: Options and Considerations Report explores how Birmingham’s amazing music scene—from its heritage to today’s live venues—can play a bigger role in attracting visitors to the city.

Our team at the Live Music Mapping Project (LMMP) worked closely with Birmingham Museums Trust and partners to help shape the research and findings.
It’s a great example of what can happen when organisations come together to support the city’s cultural future.
Take a look 👇

City has culturally rich music identity spanning many genresWest Midlands welcomed 1.4 million music tourists in 2024Report calls for a coherent music tour

12/05/2026

A new report — Birmingham Music Visitor Experience: Options and Considerations Report — has just been released, exploring how Birmingham’s brilliant music scene can play an even bigger role in attracting visitors and shaping the city’s cultural identity.
Our team at the Live Music Mapping Project (LMMP) at Aston University was proud to be part of this work, helping to capture the opportunities and challenges for growing Birmingham’s music visitor economy.
From iconic heritage to today’s live scene, the report shows just how much potential there is to build on what the city already does so well.
Have a read and see what it could mean for Birmingham’s future 👇

A new study has been published highlighting a major opportunity to transform Birmingham’s music tourism offer.

25/04/2026

Birmingham doesn't have a nightlife problem.

You have a map problem.

Most people cycle through the same venues on a saturdays not because those are the best options, but because they're the only ones they know exist.

300+ venues are mapped across this city.

Some you've never heard of.

A few of them will become the places you tell everyone about.

You don't get a refund on your evenings.

Find an experience of a lifetime.
👉 lcrmb.shinyapps.io/Birmingham_live_UI/

16/04/2026

Find live music venues where you can create memories using our maps

The venues you choose says more than you think.
Live music mapping

Explore our maps..

11/04/2026

04/04/2026

A pub with a stage you didn't know existed.
A jazz night two streets from where you live.
Find it this Easter.
Birmingham's music is there every week.
map makes sure you find it. 🎵
http://livemusicresearch.org/maps/birmingham/

03/04/2026

Find it this Easter. Go back every week.

That's how a habit starts.

One good night out in a venue you've never been to. A pub with a stage you didn't know existed. A jazz night two streets from where you live.

Then next Saturday, you go back.

Birmingham's music is there every week. The map makes sure you always know where to find it.

The maps are live 🎵
livemusicresearch.org/maps/birmingham/

03/04/2026

You know where you usually go.

This Easter, go somewhere new.

Birmingham has 300+ live music venues across the city, grassroots pubs, community spaces, intimate stages, nightclubs, arts centres. Every neighbourhood. Every genre.

The Actress & Bishop. The Flapper. The Spotted Dog. The Night Owl. And hundreds more you haven't found yet.

Days off. One map. Let's go.

The maps are live 🎵
livemusicresearch.org/maps/birmingham/

What are you doing this Easter?
Drop your plans below 👇